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Every so often, you may run into a situation where you’re trying to make a label for a recipient, and USPS doesn’t recognize the address. When this is the case, you won’t be able to buy a label, and you’re stuck! Sometimes, USPS won’t recognize an address because it’s a building that is no longer there. More often than not, however, it’s because it’s the address is a new development. This guide contains a couple of steps you can pass along to your recipient to get their address added to the USPS database, as well as what to do if you just need to submit a change of address with USPS.
Table of Contents
- Use the Postal Pro Tool on the USPS Website to Locate Your Nearest Address Management System Office
- How Long Does It Take for USPS to Recognize My Address?
- What If I Just Need to Change My Address with the Post Office?
Use the Postal Pro Tool on the USPS Website to Locate Your Nearest Address Management System Office
Getting USPS to recognize an address isn’t as easy as walking into your local Post Office and causing a riot. You’ll need to go through some back channels to get it done. The good news is that the public can submit address changes through the United States Address Management System (AMS). This is the same database that USPS uses!
The first step to getting an address added is to visit the USPS Postal Pro page. The purpose of this page is for you to find out where your nearest Address Management System Office is. Once you’re there, type in your zip code to find your nearest office. Then, the website will provide you with the contact information (address and phone number) of your local AMS office in charge of your zip code. Get in touch with them, and they’ll be able to help get your address added to the USPS database!
How Long Does It Take for USPS to Recognize My Address?
Unfortunately, there’s no concrete answer as to how long it will take USPS to get your address added to their database. In our experience, this can anywhere from a couple of weeks to up to a few months.
What If I Just Need to Change My Address with the Post Office?
Adding an address to the USPS database is entirely different from submitting a change of address with USPS. If you’re moving and need to submit a change of address with the Post Office, here are a couple of ways you can do that:
Option 1: Change Your Address on USPS.com
This is the easiest way to file a change of address with USPS directly, and you can do it anywhere in the world with an Internet connection. Click here to begin the process on the USPS website.
Changing your address on the USPS website is a quick 5-step process, and the first step is providing your personal information, including a valid email address. Once you provide all of that, you’ll simply need to fill out the next required files to successfully file a change of address with USPS.
Note that USPS charges a processing fee of $1.o5. So, when it’s time to change your address, you’ll also need to provide a valid debit or credit card to pay for it.
Option 2: Change Your Address by Going into Your Local Post Office
Your second option to change your address is to visit your local Post Office and request a Mover’s Guide packet. Inside the packet, you’ll find PS Form 3575. Once you fill out this form, you can either give it to a postal worker behind the counter or drop it into the letter mail slot inside the Post Office. You should then receive a confirmation letter at your new address in five business days.
Unlike doing it online, this option is entirely free. However, it’s likely a bigger hassle to wait in those pesky lines just to change your address the old-school way. As you know, we avoid walking into the Post Office unless we absolutely have to. That’s why we always use shipping software to buy postage online in the first place!
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Jordon chadwick
I live in a rural area and so I have a P.O. Box. But even on my driver’s license it has my physical address. Sometimes official mail gets sent to my physical address and the post office sometimes will put it in my box and sometimes they will not. The state of Utah always sends mail to my physical address. I don’t know what to do about it. I have been sent to collections too because some organizations require a physical address.
Robert
If your physical/home address doesn’t have USPS street delivery – USPS will provide you with a free USPS PO Box.
Your physical/home address will be marked as “no mail delivery” in USPS’s address database. How to check this – search address in website Melissa Data (Melissa lookups/personator).
Since your address doesn’t have USPS street delivery EVERY mailer/package delivered by USPS MUST have your USPS PO Box as the mailing address or run the risk of being returned to sender.
TIPS –
* Provide company with your street address as well as your mailing address.
* When ordering online most companies don’t allow USPS PO Boxes as a shipping address. You will need to use USPS Street Addressing format. This address format will allow you to have ALL packages (USPS, UPS, FedEx, Amazon, etc.) delivered to your USPS PO Box.
* If your physical/home address does in fact have USPS Street Delivery and you choose to have an USPS PO Box for convenience you can use the “Dual address format”. Just keep in mind the address listed above the city, state and zip on address label is the address mailer will be delivered fo. USPS mail sorting machines read from bottom up.
TJ
You can list the Post Office address like your physical/street address, using your PO Box number like an apartment number — e.g., 123 Main St, #456. If your PO Box number is kinda long, like 4 or 5 digits, someone who’s sending you mail and requiring a physical/street may wonder about it, but probably that sort of thing is so automated, no real person may notice. It is, however, perfectly legal, and is a service started by the USPS some years ago.
Robert
Correct – this is USPS Street Addressing format
Susan Carter
My problem is I live in a resort and the resort does not allow P.o. boxes in the resort. We have to use a small rural Post Office outside the resort. Creating a problem with Banks, Ebay, basically an company needing to verify your physical address. Our addresses are not in the USPS system. It’s crazy, it keeps me from changing my address on my accounts or applying for new accounts. Help!
Robert
First USPS PO Boxes are only located inside USPS locations. I believe you mean either USPS single street mailboxes or CBU’s (cluster mailboxes) which are grouped mailboxes either found in neighborhoods or inside group housing establishments (ex. Apartments).
What exactly is your resort address used for? Package delivery from other carriers (UPS, FedEx, DHL, Amazon, etc.)?
Do you have a free USPS PO Box at the small local post office? Free USPS PO Boxes are for addresses that don’t ha e the option of USPS street delivery.
Have you contacted USPS Address Management for assistance? Google “USPS address management” and enter your zip code OR a major city zip code nearby.
Has your address been validated by the 911 system? – Most don’t realize that addresses are established by the 911 system and then given to USPS.to add to their address database. I would start with the agency that establishes addresses in your area – planning/zoning division, Master Street Address Guide (MSAG). director, public safety office, etc. Have them validate your address as well as all others inside the resort. Then they will submit this info to USPS to add to their address database.
Once the addresses are validated then they need to be added to an USPS mail route. Which means a “delivery point” must be established for EACH address inside the resort.
Delivery Point – this is normally an USPS street mailbox or CBU.
This may force the resort into installing a CBU for the resort OR USPS will decide that street delivery isn’t an option for the resort. If street delivery isn’t an option you will be given a free USPS PO Box at a nearby USPS location.
Elizabeth Campbell
I seem to have the opposite problem of most people. My son owns the property on which i have a trailer (registered as a vehicle) .I have a different mailing address. Insurance company is trying to raise the rates by saying its because we have two different mailing addresses. The property came this way. I can’t find a thing on how this second mailing address was acquired nor the requirements to do so. Something about a separate deed was mentioned. but there is none. It’s all one property. We no longer need a second address, so how do I get rid of it. (BTW we just spent 10 grand getting the roof fixed to lower our rates) UGH!
Robert
I would start with the agency in your area that establishes addresses for 911 services. Usually the planning/public safety office.
Search addresses in USPS address lookup website. Are the addresses valid addresses?
You can also search your address in website Melissa Data (Melissa lookups/personator). Are there any error messages attached to either address?
Lenore Landers
I have tried almost a month to reach my Address Management Service to have my new construction home address added: Everytime
I call there is no answer and my local post office close yo my zip code is not helpful. This is ridiculous!
Robert
Make sure your address has been validated by local/state 911 agency. This agency will actually submit your info to USPS to add to their database.
Alfred Brock
Great Information! I was able to talk with the office and FAX them right away over at the regional post office. Thanks for your hellp!
Nicole
I was looking at my credit app. A notification showed up, this is what it said, Exposure privacy 21, change of address results ran info against the USPS database. On 9-9-2022. I haven changed my address in almost 2 years. Your system is compromised an now showing medium risk on my credit report. Please contact me.
Robert
You will need to contact USPS…
I assume they are speaking of NCOA (national change of address) database.
Keep in mind USPS COA’s expire after 18 months (12 months forwarded/6 months RTS). So this notification could be referring to the COA you submitted 2 years ago.
Shoshana
So I’m having a hard time figuring out how to get my address, which doesn’t exist with USPS, registered and verified as a deliverable address for USPS mail. I live in Orange County, NY and I would like to change my address (because I’ve moved) but can’t since this address isn’t deliverable. The address itself exists, just the unit number doesn’t. So do i do like what’s suggested above and contact the Address Management and System office local to me? Because it isn’t an issue of the street address as much as the unit number. Would they be able to help or someone else would be whom to call?
I’ve been told to call my local Sheriffs office, go onto non-emergency 911 online. I just want to get to the point where this address is deliverable; not call so many people and get nowhere. No run-arounds; just solutions. Any advice? Would AMS be whom to call?
Robert
Addresses are assigned by local government primarily for 911 purposes, and the USPS can’t add an address to their database until it has been validated by the addressing authority. It is known as a Master Street Address Guide (MSAG).
Contact your local Planning or Public Safety office to find out who assigns addresses in your area – who the MSAG Director is – then ask that agency to verify that your address is correct/valid.
If it is valid, ask *them* to notify the USPS. You should probably also get a letter validating it, so you can take it to the USPS if you have to.
If valid – ask USPS to add the delivery point to the mail route – contact USPS address management to create a new delivery point.
* Is your address (with apt. number) listed in USPS address lookup – https://tools.usps.com/zip-code-lookup.htm
NO – iyou will need to get your address validated
YES – now search in website Melissa Data (lookups/personator) – any error codes/incorrect info? Correct with USPS address management.
Melissa Data code meanings (Google Melissa Data codes) – https://wiki.melissadata.com/index.php?title=Result_Codes
Kim
Hi,
Back in 2018, sometime around August, I just found out that I was pregnant (not my first tho). There were some medical concerns, and between that and other life events, I did forget to pick up my mail. I saw a document from USPS posted to our front door one day, which said that this was our “3rd” offense, so our (community) mail box will be taken away. Mind you, it was on a form that seemed official, but written in thick black marker that was probably a sharpie that had also bled all over the paper. My husband and I fought this as we did not agree to having neglected getting our mail so often, that it over-filled our mailbox 3 times in the past year—which is what they were insisting happened, and in ‘writing’. There was a lot of run around, but despite two dispute claims to corporation, we couldn’t get our mailbox back—though the corporate people on the phone did agree that it seemed contrived/forced. In the end, we suddenly had 5 offenses (again, within the year 2018) instead of the 3 previously mentioned, yet only one (the most recent, and the one I don’t contest) had either of our signature.
I was forced to purchase a P.O. box if I wanted to be able to receive mail, and I’ve noticed that the price seems to go up once or twice a year—which coincides with our six-month subscription plan. Anyway, we resisted at first until we were forced into this P.O. Box thing when we discovered USPS had actually deleted our house’s address from their system and our shipments/mail were being returned to sender. Now I want to know if I can get my mailing address back into their system or will I just need to wait to move before I can use my physical address as my mailing address once more (without being charged an increasing amount every 6 months or so)? There are other pros for me on this, but that is one of my bigger concerns. 🙂
Thanks.
J.mack
How to see my own comment after posted?
J.mack
Clicked on the highlighted
USPS PRO PAGE & WAS NOT GIVEN ANY LOCATION TO HELP ME… NOT HELPFUL. SORRY.
Robert
Enter a larger city near you…
Google “USPS address management” to locate link…
J.Black
Calm the F down. Are you not an adult, are you not fully capable of using google by yourself? Using caps lock and telling someone who is intending to help that they aren’t helpful because you half-hazardly attempted one thing and immediately gave up is actually a reflection of your own ineffectiveness not theirs.
Andrea
I have recently purchased land and have a double wide mobile home in it. We have running water and electricity. We have a 911 validated address BUT the USPS has not yet added my address to the mailing database so I am unable to change my address on my DL, bills or bank accounts. We moved in about a month ago. How long will this take? I am running the risk of loosing my credit cards due to the unknown address.
Robert
So your waiting for “point of delivery” to be established.
Have you contacted USPS address management yet?
https://postalpro.usps.com/ppro-tools/address-management-system
Have you installed a new mailbox? Be sure to install a according to USPS specifications. Local USPS location will have a diagram for you to follow.
Do NOT set in concrete until your mail carrier approves!!
Christie Cure
When I call my local office in HOUSTON it has a recording saying the damn mailbox is full! Is THIS what our tax dollars are going for? This kind of assistance?? We can’t even get anything delivered to us!!!! Pathetic!!!
Robert
* See if a different number is listed in website Melissa Data (Melissa lookups/personator). Just search your address in this database they will list the USPS location that services your address.
What exactly is happening for you to need to contact USPS directly?
No mail delivery? – make sure your mailbox is properly labeled with street number and last names of who should receive first class mail. Also, fill out “new customer/resident card” at servicing USPS
Have you moved to this address recently? Make sure you have submitted an USPS COA (change of address) from old address to current address.
New Construction Home – contact USPS address management for assistance and see my other comments
Stephanie
I live in tourist town on a busy street. Many streets. My house is over 100 years old. The only people who receive mail are fancy houses on the lake or the rural backroads. Without a usps recognized address I’ve been unable to verify my address with any virtual companies and have been denied from chime, Venmo, or any of the cash transferring tools commonly used today. I was unable to purchase a car from caravana or DriveTime when I tried because of my address. It took bringing in the deed to the house to get my drivers license renewed. All houses should have a physical address these days even if they aren’t the nice houses on the lake! The people at the post office aren’t nice when asked about this or what I can do either. I regret buying this house
Robert
Addresses are assigned by local government primarily for 911 purposes, and the USPS can’t add an address that isn’t validated by the addressing authority. It is known as a Master Street Address Guide (MSAG).
Contact your local Planning or Public Safety office to find out who assigns addresses in your area – who the MSAG Director is – then ask that agency to verify that your address is correct.
If it is valid, ask *them* to notify the USPS. You should probably also get a letter validating it, so you can take it to the USPS if you have to.
If valid – ask USPS to add the delivery point to the mail route
You need to contact the Address Management Systems office for the ZIP code your new house is in. They are the ones who can create a new delivery point.
Be prepared you may live in an illegal apartment!
len
Hello how can I add virtual office suites to an established business that are recognized by usps?
Robert
I would assume these are handled just like UPS private mailboxes (PMB)- the mail is delivered to the main address and then distributed by building management.
They are called Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA) –
https://pe.usps.com/archive/html/dmmarchive20041209/D042.htm
Eduardo Mangual
I called the AMS to add my address to the data base. She told me that I have to submit some sort of documentation but Ill have to go first to my local USPS Office for more info.
Robert
Addresses are assigned by local government primarily for 911 purposes, and the USPS can’t add an address that isn’t validated by the addressing authority. It is known as a Master Street Address Guide (MSAG).
Contact your local Planning or Public Safety office to find out who assigns addresses in your area – who the MSAG Director is – then ask that agency to verify that your address is correct.
If it is valid, ask *them* to notify the USPS. You should probably also get a letter validating it, so you can take it to the USPS if you have to.
If valid – ask USPS to add the delivery point to the mail route
You need to contact the Address Management Systems office for the ZIP code your new house is in. They are the ones who can create a new delivery point.
Wrichesin
Followed the instructions and got no office.
The Address Management System Office Locator office(s) that serves (my address) can be contacted at:
Robert
So you typed your city, state and received no office…
Try another city nearby
Connie Knight
I have been trying for months to get my new address recognized. I have moved to a newly built home on a new street that was previously an easement. I kept my USPS PO box but I have a new physical address. I live less than 1/4 mile from my previous address. Unfortunately, my PO Box zip code is different from my physical address zip code. Somehow I am unable to receive mail at either address. I have not requested an address change so I am not sure why all my mail is being returned along with any shipments.
George
Super helpful post! I looked up my local office and called them immediately. The lady corrected our new address since we are moving into a renovated single family that used to be apartments and is now two condos. It will take two weeks to process before we can submit a change of address request. Really appreciate the insight!
Stephanie
Hi! I’m in the same situation right now and I’m wondering, did it take the USPS actually two weeks to update their database?
Karen
This is the long way around, really. The USPS literally has nothing to do with your street address except delivering mail to it. Addresses are assigned by local government primarily for 911 purposes, and the USPS can’t add an address that isn’t validated by the addressing authority. It is known as a Master Street Address Guide (MSAG). That is where the addresses in the USPS database come from.
Contact your local Planning or Public Safety office to find out who assigns addresses in your area -who the MSAG Director is- then ask that agency to verify that your address is correct.
If it is valid, ask *them* to notify the USPS. You should probably also get a letter validating it, so you can take it to the USPS if you have to.
Also, remember that a lot of online retailers don’t update their address databases frequently enough. You might be missing from their system because they need an update.
Eliseo Canda Jr
I already send all the documents to our mail post office in Guam as per their requirements. I went to DPW to request for the registered map of our physical address as per the post office requirement and they said they will send it to Hawaai to be able to register on their data base. But it seems 5 months already and no response with them
Michelle
Actually, not the wrong way but the right way. I followed the instructions, found the correct Address Management Systems office, in Boston, and called. The wonderful woman at the other end picked up on the second ring. I told her my story of 12 years of struggle. She asked for my street address, and said, “It will take a couple of weeks but should work after that.” Lo and behold, my address was added as she promised, and is in the database now.
Michelle
And btw this was after talking to my local post office and town admins for YEARS and seeing them shrug as they told me they could do nothing.
Steve Rider
Several weeks ago I started receiving mail with my city name changed to a nearby city. I can’t find out why this happened but the incorrect address is spreading like a cancer as every day I receive mail with the incorrect city, including from organizations that have my correct address. Why Is this happening?
Rockwell Sands
Hi Steve – I’m not sure why this is happening, but this is a question that your local Postmaster as the Post Office servicing your zip code may be able to answer! Some cities have synonymous names and it can get confusing…or there may have been changes made to the municipality recently. Could be a number of reasons, or simply an error! Sorry I can’t provide more info here, but that’s why I suggest asking your Postmaster, as they’ll likely be more in the know of what’s happening in your area.
Dina
There are different types of communities- postal, city, “MSAG”…- one of those probably changed. For example, my city keeps annexing further and further out, so lots of people are suddenly within the neighboring city’s limits.
Robert
* Search your address in website Melissa Data (lookups/personator) – any error codes or incorrect info.
YES – Contact USPS address management and ha e these corrected – https://postalpro.usps.com/ppro-tools/address-management-system
If you aren’t listed as the current resident – be sure to ask your mail carrier to MLNA (moved left no address) ALL past resident name variations (Thomas vs Tom). Write “MOVED – MLNA” and place in outgoing mail.
* Google your address – is this info correct on Google maps
* The barcode on the mailer may actually be the issue
* Search your address (correct/incorrect) in USPS address lookup – https://tools.usps.com/zip-code-lookup.htm
* I had a weird address variation appearing on an utility bill which then appeared on my credit reports. I traced it back to Lexis Nexis. I even received a census questionnaire with the address variation.
Ginger Driver
Hello,
I am having been informed Address Management and my local Post Master that the paperwork to get my address validated via USPS has been submitted. This is so very frustrating when you are unable to get your address to be recognizable for shipping or even to update contact information when you address can’t e recognized.
Kerry Ritland
My address was miscategorized as a business when the address was created two years ago (new construction). No one a the post office had a clue on how to fix it. I learned of the USPS Address Management System (above comment), got the phone number for the local office, and in 5 minutes the problem was corrected.
Michelle
I’ve been trying for 12 years to get the USPS to recognize my rural address. We have a PO Box for our mail, but some online retailers won’t ship there, and some online forms don’t recognize anything but a physical address so that transactions are impossible. Have talked to my local USPS but they don’t know how to fix it, even though we’ve tried a couple of times over the years – and am trying yet again right now, because the issue has reared it’s ugly head once more. Frustrating, to say the least.
Lynn
I (my little town) is having the same issue. We receive our mail via post office. Years ago we had to add street addresses for the purpose of 911. When you buy something online they require a street address or try to change your address on a credit card, they require a street address and when you try to add a box # in the next box, it will come back as an invalid address.SO FRUSTRATING!!!!
Michelle
Lynne, I managed to find the number for my state’s Address Management Systems office in Boston and called and the lovely woman took my info, told me it would be a couple of weeks, gave me her name and direct number to follow up if it didn’t. Sure enough, two weeks later, I finally had a recognized physical address. Keep trying!!
Lynn
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for the post. I will contact the Pittsburgh office and see what they have to say!
Bruce
All –
I had the same problem of no option for residential delivery at my house compounded by the fact that my physical address can only be found by using an adjacent town name. It was fun filling out the last US Census online! Some vendors do not accept a PO Box or any hint of a PO Box so my brother, who works for the Post Office, told me to this: Put in your physical street address followed by the # sign and your PO Box number. So, it would look like this: 1 Main St. #1000. It looks like an apt number at an apt complex. I found it works like a charm with any vendor. I now use this routinely since one never knows when UPS or FedEx will do a handoff to the post office for final mile delivery. When the post office sees this they know that the number refers to a PO Box. At least at my small rural post office it works every time.
Susan
I have been doing this for years and sometimes the #number is still dropped. UPS drops items at the post office without the box number but only with the street address, and the post office complains at ME. The online systems insist on using the plus four of the post office, even though if they used the right plus four, the box number would be in it. And yes, if you put in any hint of a box number, some systems won’t accept it. If there is a space for a company name, I have begun putting the box number there. Or I call it an Apt. number, hoping the silly system will allow it, and print in on the address label.
Cathy
This worked for us for many years, but now the latest postmaster tells us we have to put the #xxxx on the 2nd line. Almost every place we order drops the 2nd line. UGH. Back to the future again. And for those who say “sign up for Postal Annex” haha. not one in 50 miles. This is mainly a RURAL issue. We can’t get delivery at home or at our business. Where then? I like the idea above to use the PO address. Will try that until they complain.
Toni Schmid
I am having the same issue now. we have had a local PO Box which we’ll keep for primary first Class Mail. but we need our Valid house address (rural) for shipping address and various reasons. Ironically the USPS Informed Delivery set up page says “address not found.” so i can’t get that set up until this is resolved. I’m speaking with both our local USPS and local County 9-1-1 Address Mangement office. my hands are tied. frustrating.
Robert
See if your USPS offers premium PO Box Street addressing. This will allow you to have packages delivered to your PO Box. Including FedEx, DHL, UPS, etc. Basically you use the PO’s street address along with your box number. Ex. 123 Main Street, #456
Eliseo Canda Jr
I submitted all the necessary document to USPS to register my physical address as my mailing and delivery package request on Sept 2021 and until now I have no response from USPS
Karen Dobbs
The house has been here for over 15 years and all owners on street have used P O Box. I finally got a street/mailbox approved but can’t get any of my mail at address because Atlanta doesn’t recognize address!!!’
Local postmaster knows we are here and gave us the green llight ti install
Now I can’t get mail! Anyone want to put us own map?? 277 Milton Way
Sautee Nachoochee, GA. 30571
Please do!
Heather Lowry
I have been going in circles trying to get my address validated on a home I purchased in July. I have been working with the local post offices and have called AMS and still have not been able to get this fixed. Please, any assistance to get this fixed would be appreciated.
Cindy Scarfe
hello – do you have any advice as to how to reach my local address management system office? i keep calling and no one ever answers. thanks!
Anita Nesbitt
THANK YOU for this information. I’ve been trying to convince my local Post Office to add my address for 3 months. I followed the instructions, found the correct Address Management Systems office, and called. My address was added immediately and will be in the database in a week! Amazing what the correct information can do. Thank you for posting this.
Rockwell Sands
That’s amazing, Anita! I’m so glad your address was able to get added. Thanks for visiting Shipping School!