How to Write PO Box Address – With Examples
If it is your first time mailing a PO box, confusion is typical. Writing a PO box address isn’t the same as a regular street address. It doesn’t require all the components, such as a street name and building number.
This article will go over how to write a PO box address. By the end of our article, you’ll realize that writing a PO box address is straightforward and much easier than writing a street address.
Why Do People Use PO Boxes?
First, let’s cover why both individuals and businesses choose to use PO boxes.
PO box stands for Post Office box. It is a locked mailbox within the United States Postal Services locations. People rent these PO boxes from the USPS to receive mail instead of getting packages delivered to their home or business address.
One of the biggest benefits of using a PO box is it enables users to keep their home or business address private. PO boxes come in various sizes, with multiple rental terms, making them an attractive option for securely receiving mail.
Although PO boxes are provided by the United States Postal Services, UPS, FedEx, and many other shipping companies operating in the US also offer similar services. However, the USPS comes to mind first when thinking about PO boxes, as it is used the most.
Being secure and flexible, it is no wonder many individuals and businesses choose to rent a PO box. If you’re also interested in getting a PO box number to receive mail, visit the nearest USPS.
Writing a PO Box Address Properly
Writing a PO Box address is straightforward if you have all the details about the recipient. As mentioned, writing a PO box address doesn’t require everything needed for a street address. You’ll only need to include a few basic details to get mail delivered to a PO box.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write a PO box address on your mail.
First, Enter the Recipient’s Name
The first step for writing a PO box address is to include the full name of the recipient. If you’re sending mail to an organization or a business, you can skip this and enter the company name instead.
Second, Enter the Organization Name
As you can expect, this step is only for those sending mail to a business. If you’re sending a letter to an individual, you can move to the next step. Those sending mail to someone within an organization must include the organization’s name after the recipient’s. If there’s no specific recipient, leaving only the name of the organization is enough.
Third, Enter the PO Box Number
Enter the PO box number after the recipient’s name (or the organization’s). Write ‘PO box,’ followed by the number of the PO box. With one last step to go, you’ll realize how easy it is to write a PO box address.
Lastly, Enter the City, State, and ZIP Code
At the bottom of everything you’ve written down, enter the city, state, and zip code on the same line. It is advised to use the abbreviation for the state rather than writing it down.
PO Box Address Example
Based on the steps we’ve explained above, the result should look something like this:
[Recipient’s Full Name]
[Company Name (if needed)]
[PO Box Number]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
Additionally, make sure your handwriting is legible when writing a PO box address. It is important to write everything as clearly as possible, as your mail will be handled by multiple people before it reaches your recipient.
Shipping to a PO Box Is Simple
Now you know how to write the PO box address on your next mail. It is definitely much easier than one would think. All you need to do is follow the order above and write everything clearly on your package or letter.
If you’re sending mail to someone’s PO box but don’t have all the information or have lost it and can’t reach them anymore, you can use an address lookup. You can simply enter the recipient’s address or full name to run a search. It will list their PO box under address details.
