How to Enter a PO Box Address Online: Correct Format and Common Mistakes

Introduction:

When mailing to a PO Box, understanding the correct format to use in online address forms is crucial for ensuring your mail is delivered to the right location. This article will guide you through the process of entering a PO Box address online, including common mistakes to avoid and the proper way to structure your address.

Understanding PO Boxes

A PO Box is a specific address assigned by the postal service, often used in place of a traditional street address. It is treated as a physical location just like a house on a street. As such, a PO Box should be used instead of a street address when appropriate. Both the PO Box and a street address cannot be used in the same address line.

Addressing to a Street Address

When mailing to a house address, you would write:

Recipient Name
123 Main St
Anytown NY 12345

Addressing to a PO Box

When mailing to a PO Box, you would write:

Recipient Name
PO Box 100
Anytown NY 12345

Avoiding Common Mistakes

It is generally not recommended to include both a street address and a PO Box number in the same address. An example of an incorrect format would be:

Recipient Name
123 Main St
PO Box 100
Anytown NY 12345

This is incorrect because both "123 Main St" and "PO Box 100" are separate physical locations. The post office cannot deliver your mail to both places simultaneously, so it is important to choose either a street address or a PO Box, but not both in the same address line.

Using Online Address Forms

When filling out online address forms, the process is slightly different. Instead of a single line for the street address, you may see separate fields for the street address, PO Box, and zip code. Here’s how you would fill it out:

Recipient NamebrStreet Address Line 1brPO Box Line 2brAnytown NY 12345

Step-by-step guide:

Enter the recipient's name in the first field. Enter the street address, if applicable, in the corresponding field. Enter the PO Box number in the PO Box field. Enter the zip code in the zip code field.

Conclusion

Properly formatting your address is essential for ensuring that your mail, whether it’s a letter or a package, is delivered to the correct location. By understanding the differences between a street address and a PO Box, and avoiding the common mistake of including both in the same address line, you can streamline your mailing process and avoid potential delays or issues with your mail delivery.