Moving to a new home is always a hectic process. Between packing up all your belongings, coordinating movers, switching over utilities, and the dozens of other tasks on your checklist, it‘s easy for some details to slip through the cracks. One commonly overlooked item? Making sure your new address is valid and deliverable according to the United States Postal Service.
If you‘ve recently relocated and noticed that your mail isn‘t arriving like it should, there‘s a good chance USPS has your address marked as invalid in their system. But what exactly does that mean? And more importantly, how can you resolve the issue so your letters and packages reach their intended destination?
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about invalid USPS addresses. You‘ll learn what criteria USPS uses to validate addresses, common reasons an address might not make the cut, and step-by-step instructions for getting an invalid address registered in the postal service‘s database. Plus, we‘ll go over what to expect if USPS is unable to deliver to an invalid address and share some expert tips for avoiding address problems in the first place.
Whether you‘re in the midst of a move or just want to double check that your current address is on the up-and-up, this article will provide the vital information and actionable advice you need. Let‘s jump in!
What Is Considered an Invalid USPS Address?
According to USPS, an address is considered invalid if it does not match a corresponding entry in the postal service‘s official address database. In other words, if an exact record of the address does not exist in the USPS system, the address will be marked as invalid.
USPS relies on its master addressing database to determine which locations are and are not deliverable. For an address to be deemed valid, it must conform to the standardized format used in the database and include the following core components:
- Number and street name
- Secondary address info if applicable (e.g. apartment, suite, or building number)
- City
- State
- ZIP code
If any of these elements are missing, incorrect, or fail to match an existing database entry, USPS will flag the address as invalid. This is true even if an address ostensibly "exists" in the real world. An address for a newly constructed home or business may be invalid if the owners haven‘t gone through the proper channels to register it in the USPS database, for example.
The Postal Service implements these strict validation measures to ensure accurate and efficient mail sorting and delivery. Standardized addressing helps USPS process the massive volume of mail it handles each day, with machine-readable barcodes on mail pieces corresponding to delivery point records in the address database.
While having your address deemed invalid is undoubtedly frustrating, it‘s important to remember that USPS isn‘t doing it arbitrarily. There are very specific reasons an address may not pass validation—and fortunately, some relatively straightforward remedies. More on that later, but first, let‘s take a closer look at the top reasons USPS might mark an address as invalid.
Top Reasons USPS Marks an Address as Invalid
There are a few different scenarios in which USPS may determine an address to be invalid. These include:
1. The address contains incorrect or incomplete information.
One of the most common causes of an invalid address is incorrect or missing data. Maybe you accidentally transposed the numbers in the street address when filling out a change of address form. Or perhaps the apartment number was inadvertently omitted.
Even something as simple as a small typo in the street name can render an entire address invalid. For example, if your address is officially listed as "123 Peachtree Lane" but gets input as "123 Peach Tree Lane," USPS will flag it as invalid due to the discrepancy.
2. The address is not registered in the USPS database.
Many people assume that USPS automatically adds new addresses to their database. In reality, it is the responsibility of property owners or managers to manually register new addressable locations through the Address Management System (AMS).
This is a common issue with newly built homes and developments. If a brand new subdivision has sprung up but the builder hasn‘t gone through the AMS process, those fresh addresses won‘t yet be recognized as valid in the USPS system. This can result in headaches and mail delays for new residents.
3. The address is marked as vacant.
If a building has been vacant for a while or mail hasn‘t been collected at a particular address for 90 days or more, USPS may designate the address as vacated until further notice. This temporarily flags the address as invalid until residence or mail collection resumes.
Vacancy status can also apply if a structure is under construction or renovation for an extended period, as may be the case with some office and apartment buildings.
4. The address ZIP code consists mainly of PO boxes.
In certain rural or sparsely populated areas, the majority of addresses are PO boxes rather than street addresses. USPS designates such locations as "primarily PO box" ZIP codes.
If you have a physical address in one of these ZIP codes, it may come up as invalid under USPS standards. This can occur if a zone started out with all or mostly PO boxes and then some street addresses were added later on.
How to Fix an Invalid Address and Get Mail Delivered
Now that you know the main reasons an address might be considered invalid, let‘s go over how to rectify the situation. The exact steps will vary a bit depending on the underlying cause, but the primary objective is to get your address standardized and in the USPS database.
Adding an address through the AMS
If you have a newly created address that hasn‘t been registered with USPS yet, you‘ll need to submit it via the Address Management System. Visit the USPS AMS page on PostalPro and enter the address into the form fields.
Assuming the address doesn‘t duplicate an existing record, isn‘t missing any vital components, and follows standard formatting, it should pass validation. You‘ll then see an option to download a PS Form 3623 to officially add the address to the database.
Fill out the form, then submit it either electronically through the AMS portal or via mail/fax to your regional AMS office. You can expect the new address to be added to the system within 10 business days.
Correcting bad address data
What if you have an established address that‘s in the USPS database but isn‘t coming up as valid due to incorrect or incomplete info? First, double (and triple) check that you‘ve entered everything accurately. A single misplaced letter or number could cause validation to fail.
If you‘ve confirmed the data is correct but the address still isn‘t validating, reach out to your local post office. Explain the issue and provide documentation of your correct address. They should be able to manually update the address record to resolve any discrepancies.
In rare cases, an address may be invalid because it was improperly recorded in the USPS database to begin with. If you suspect this to be the case, contact the AMS office that handles your ZIP code to request an investigation and amendment.
Reactivating a vacant address
Perhaps you purchased a property that had been vacant for some time prior to your ownership, and now the address is coming up invalid. To remove the vacant flag, you‘ll need to verify the address is now occupied and actively receiving mail.
The quickest way to do this is to visit your local post office and speak to an agent at the counter. Bring along a copy of your purchase contract, driver‘s license, or other proof of residence. They‘ll reactivate the address in the USPS system, and you should start receiving mail within 7-10 business days.
Fixing PO box ZIP code problems
Unfortunately, if you live in an area designated as a primarily PO box ZIP code, there may not be an easy fix to get your physical address to validate. USPS simply doesn‘t deliver to non-PO box addresses in these zones, even if they technically exist.
Your best bet in this scenario is to obtain a PO box if you don‘t already have one. You can still use your physical address for non-USPS mail and package delivery, but you‘ll need to use the PO box for anything sent via postal mail.
What to Expect If USPS Can‘t Deliver to an Invalid Address
Say you overlooked changing your address when you moved, and now an important letter or package has been sent to your former invalid address. What happens to that piece of mail?
In most cases, USPS will make an attempt to return any mail directed to an undeliverable address to the sender. If your mail includes a valid return address, it will likely be shipped back to that location. Standard turnaround times are 7-14 business days for First Class mail and up to 30 days for Marketing Mail.
However, if there is no return address listed or it too is incorrect, USPS will send the mail to the Mail Recovery Center (MRC) in Atlanta. There, employees will open the mailpiece to try to determine the rightful sender or intended recipient.
If USPS is able to track down a valid return address, the mail will be sent back from the MRC. If no such address can be found, the item will be held at the MRC for between 30 and 365 days depending on its contents. Unclaimed letters are destroyed while other items may be auctioned, donated, sent to recyclers, or otherwise disposed of.
To try to locate a missing mailpiece that may have ended up at the MRC, you can submit a search request via the Missing Mail application on the USPS website. You‘ll need to provide identifying information like a tracking number, pictures of the mailpiece if possible, plus details on when and where it was sent from.
Tips to Avoid Invalid Addresses
As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By taking some proactive steps, you can steer clear of many common issues that lead to invalid addresses and undeliverable mail:
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When moving, submit a change of address form with USPS at least 10 days before your move date. Double check that all your address details are correct before finalizing the form.
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If you‘re a business owner, property manager, or landlord, make sure you register all your addresses through the AMS system as soon as they become active. Don‘t wait until a tenant has moved in and is expecting mail.
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Whenever possible, include a valid return address on letters and packages you send. This will increase the odds of the mail making its way back to you if the recipient address is invalid.
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If you‘ll be traveling extensively or living in a remote area, consider renting a PO box. This eliminates worries about mail piling up at your regular address and attracting porch pirates or signaling a vacant home.
By being diligent about using and maintaining accurate, up-to-date addresses, you can avoid the vast majority of issues with invalid addresses and misdirected mail. While it requires a little extra effort upfront, the time and headaches you‘ll save are more than worth it.
The Bottom Line on Invalid USPS Addresses
Having an invalid address can be a real mail nuisance. At best, it delays your letters and packages from reaching you. At worst, your mail could be returned to sender or even lost for good.
Fortunately, as we‘ve learned, resolving most invalid address issues is a relatively straightforward process. It‘s just a matter of understanding USPS‘s criteria for a valid address and taking the appropriate steps to correct any discrepancies in their database.
The next time you move to a new home, office, or apartment, use the information and tips outlined here to ensure a smooth transition with minimal mail disruptions. A few minutes spent double checking the validity of your new address can prevent untold mail-related problems down the line.
With any luck, this guide has given you all the knowledge and tools you need to troubleshoot an invalid address. Remember: You don‘t have to let an address mixup derail your mail!
