How to Write an Apartment Address?

Essential Apartment Address Formula

Want to write the right address for an apartment? That’s easy! All you need to do is follow some simple yet crucial steps. The first thing that you need to do is to write your name and address on the front side of the envelope.

Then, you must avoid writing any other information on the front of the envelope, such as an indication about the gift or return address. Keep in mind that the rest of your mail could be sent to the P.O. Box if you want to keep your address confidential.

You’ll write the recipient’s first and last legal name in capital letters on the first line. Even if you call them by their nickname or other name, it’s important to write their legal name there.

What you have to do now is jot down their complete address, followed by the suite number on the second line. For instance, the formula for writing the apartment address is based on three simple steps: City, state abbreviation, and zip+4 codes. This is what you need to do:

Step 1: Add Street Number

Step 2: Add Street Name

Step 3: Unit Designator Abbreviation and unit number

Let's have a look at its example:

Emily Roberts
140 Main St., Apartment 5A
Hollywood, CA 61360

How to Use “Apt” in an Apartment Address?

“Apt.” is the abbreviation used instead of writing the word “apartment,” which is acceptable when you’re writing an address. The apt. The address goes on the second line next to the street number and name. You know what? You can also write out “Apartment,” especially if you are picky about using the full English word. You might be wondering why abbreviations are always preferred.

Most folks add the house number to the third line and place City and state on the fourth position. What if we tell you this is technically wrong? You may receive your mail if your address is written in this pattern. However, you can also use the third position if you are short on space in the second line.

But what is the Second Line for?

Even though the second line in the letter has a purpose that most of us won't even need to utilize. However, there are multiple things that you can add to the second position, such as designations, C/O addresses, secondary addresses, special instructions for delivery, or organization addresses. Here is how the second line could be used properly:

Emma Green
C/O Monica Geller
673 Berry Lane, APT # 10
New York, NY 67892

This pattern would be convenient for your delivery driver to find your apartment address. The second line can be a guideline. You may try abbreviations for buildings while writing your apartment’s address.

How to Write Abbreviations in Any Address?

Does your address or street name end up being lengthy? If yes, then you may use USPS-approved abbreviations as your second address designations. For instance:

Jena Petter Doe
765 Berry Lane
UNIT C
New York, NY 52732

Here are some of the most common abbreviations that you can use in your apartment address include:

• Basement or BSMT
• Front or FRNT
• Pier or PIER
• Rear or REAR
• Side or SIDE
• Front or FRNT
• Lower or LOWR
• Space or SPC
• Room or R.M.
• Suite or STE
• Trailer or TRLR
• Lobby or LBBY
• Unit or UNIT
• Apartment or APT
• Key or KEY
• Penthouse or P.H.
• Department or DEPT
• Office or OFC
• Space or SPC
• Building or BLDG
• Floor or FL
• Hanger or HNGR
• Slip or SLIP
• Lot or LOT

“C/O.” and “Attn.”

Imagine you are in a situation where you intend to write a message for a specific individual with a huge firm or household. How would you deal with it? You might send a message to your head at the firm. However, in such situations, you must be concise and clear. That’s the only way the right person would receive your message.

Well, in such scenarios, you may use terms such as Attn (attention) and C/O (in care of) when sending the letter. This practice will ensure that your letter gets to the right person. Here is how you can use these terms:

C/O is used when you address an individual who is being cared for by someone else.

For example:

Step 1: Add the Legal Name

Step 2: C/O Name of the person who the individual is in the care of

Step 3: Add Street Address

Step 4: City, State Abbreviation, Zip+4 Codes

"Attention" or "attn." term should be used when your mail is for a specific individual in a professional setting. You can take the example of business or other departments. Your attn should look something like this:

Step 1: Attn: Individual's Legal Name

Step 2: Organization Name/Company

Step 3: Street Address/P.O. Box

Step 4: City, State Abbreviation, Zip+4 Codes

Use the Pound Sign in Your Apartment Address

The second tip for writing your apartment address is to use the pound sign (#) language. As per USPS rule, you need to add space between the pound and the apartment number. Let us give you an example:

Sarah Joseph
435 Michal Lane NYC, APT # 6
New York, NY 45678

However, you must include the directional information for your apartment street, especially N.W., NE, S.W., and S.E. If you ever skip the directional data, then it can lead your parcel to the wrong side of the town, and most of the cities have two sides of the street with the same name.

Address Format for More Than One Mail Recipient

As we discussed earlier, everything requires a proper pattern when it comes to apartment addresses. Likewise, when you write your address on your envelope or email with multiple receivers, it should depend on the formality of the situation and the individual number to which you are sending it. Here we have breakdown the pattern for you:

Formal Letters (Envelope):

If you are sending a letter to 2 to 3 people, you must lush each receiver's full name and their title on a separate line. It should start with Mr./Ms./Dr. And their last name. For instance

Mr. Joe Bing
Advertising Agent
XYZ Company
Mr. Ross Lee
Marketing Manager
XYZ Company

However, if you are sending a letter to 4 or more people and the space is limited you can use a group salutation such as “To the Residents of the Jones family or the Jones Family” on the first line.

Informal Letters (Envelope):

If you are writing informal letters for your family or close friends then you can use first names or nicknames. You can use Dear followed by all the recipients' names, separated by commas and "and" before the last name. For example, "Dear John, Jane, and Michael".

International Apartment Addresses

Do you want to send your mail internationally? If you do then you must know that every country requires a different format. For instance, if you are sending your mail to China or another Asian country, then you must write your name and address in that country’s national language.

You can also consider using a bilingual sender’s name and address when sending the package abroad. This will help your mail to reach its intended receiver without any problem.

If you Recently Moved and Need to Change your Address

We understand that it must have required so many changes while shifting from your bank to your daily routine services; everything would need to change. However, USPS forwards your mail from your previous address when you sign up on their side. But wait. Since you are a new resident, you need to use your legal name when signing up for new services.

What you need to know is the postal carrier always goes by the name in the mailbox in your building. When you use a nickname instead of your legal name, this may cause some of your mail to not make it to you after a change of address.

You would even have to show your valid I.D. and the post office to pick it up if you ever hold your mail for any reason.

Step-By-Step Instructions for Writing an Apartment Address

Writing an apartment address is not as challenging as it seems. All you have to do is follow a proper pattern, and then you are good to go. Here we have a breakdown of step-by-step instructions for writing an apartment address for you:

• Write a proper delivery address on your package or envelope
• Add the recipient's full legal name on the first line
• Write the street name and building number on the second line
• Write "Apt" or "#" followed by the apartment number on the second line
• Write the City, state abbreviation (or province for international addresses), and ZIP code on the third line.

Here we have an example for you:

John Smith
123 Main St, Apt 4B
Anytown, CA 12345

Common Mistakes When Writing an Apartment Address

Everyone makes mistakes, and so do you. However, you can avoid making such mistakes after owning them. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when writing an apartment address:

- The most frequent mistake is omitting the Apartment Number, which can lead to lost or delayed deliveries. Double-check that you've included the "Apt" or "#" symbol followed by the apartment number after a comma on the same line as the street address.

- Incorrect Abbreviations are also a common mistake. While some abbreviations for street types (St., Ave., Blvd.) and directions (N., S., E., W.) are widely understood, it's safer to write them out in full.

- Missing ZIP codes can significantly delay delivery. Make sure you have the correct ZIP code for the specific address.

- There are two main schools of thought on where to put the apartment number. Some prefer it after the street address with a comma, while others put it on a separate line below.

- Some apartment complexes have internal unit numbers and Separate Street addresses. Make sure you're using the correct address, depending on where the delivery needs to go.

Be mindful that some apartments may use designations other than "Apt" or "#.”It could be "Unit,""Suite,""Ste," or something else entirely. Verify the correct term with the recipient or by checking the complex's signage.

What Happens if You Write an Address Incorrectly?

When you write an incorrect address in your mail or package then it can cause quite trouble as in most cases the post office would not deliver your mail. This is why you have to add an official abbreviation to your address so that it can be delivered to the desired destination.

You also need to add the state abbreviation on your envelope or package. These abbreviations help post offices identify which part of the country your mail belongs to.