São Tomé and Príncipe, a small island nation located off the western coast of Central Africa, is renowned for its lush landscapes and rich Portuguese colonial heritage. The country’s postal system is relatively simple but requires careful attention to local conventions when formatting addresses. Mail delivery is managed by Correios de São Tomé e Príncipe, which primarily operates in urban centers, such as São Tomé city. In contrast, rural areas may rely on local knowledge and descriptive address elements. Since some areas may lack numbered streets or consistent postal codes, landmarks and locality names are often used to guide delivery. 

Whether you’re sending mail to a business in the capital or a residence in a remote village, using the correct address structure is essential. Below, we provide examples to help you format addresses accurately in São Tomé and Príncipe.

Recipient Name

Write the full name of the recipient on the top line. For professional or corporate correspondence, start with the company or institution’s name, followed by “ATTN:” and the recipient’s name or department. This is particularly useful in the government or education sectors.

Street Address or P.O. Box

Urban areas, such as São Tomé city, may use street names and building numbers, although the system is not strictly enforced. In many cases, descriptive references such as nearby landmarks, churches, or institutions are used.

District or Locality

Add the name of the district, suburb, or locality to narrow the destination. This helps carriers navigate areas with informal layouts.

Postal Code and Town/City

Postal codes are rarely used but may appear in formal contexts. Place the code before the city name, usually São Tomé or Santo António.

Country Name
For international deliveries, conclude with the full country name in uppercase.

Residential Address Format

Residential addresses typically include the recipient’s name, street name or notable landmark, district, and city. Building numbers may be included in urban centers, such as São Tomé city.

Rural Address Format
Rural areas often rely on descriptive location cues such as proximity to schools or churches and village names.

Business Address Format

Business addresses begin with the company name, followed by the department or recipient’s name, and a complete mailing address.

International Address Format for NGOs and Organizations

Non-profits or international organizations include the name of the organization, program, and address.

P.O. Box Address Format

If a post office box is used, include “Caixa Postal” and the number, omitting the street address.

Military Address Format
Mail for military personnel includes the rank and name, followed by the unit and either an army building or a post office reference.

Government Office Address Format
Use official titles and departments for delivery accuracy.

Address for Multiple Recipients Format
Write each recipient’s name on a separate line when sending mail to multiple people to prevent confusion. This approach is particularly beneficial for households or businesses that receive shared correspondence.

Address Format for Courier Services
When using private courier services, it is strongly recommended to include the recipient’s full postal address along with their phone number.

Correios de São Tomé e Príncipe is the official postal service provider for the island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe. Despite the country’s small size, the postal system plays a key role in maintaining communication links between the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe and with the rest of the world. The postal operator offers standard services, including letter mail, parcel delivery, registered mail, and limited express options. Services are available through the main post office in São Tomé city and branch locations in regional districts and Príncipe. 

Correios also manages P.O. boxes and supports international mail via cooperation with global carriers, primarily routed through Lisbon. Although infrastructure and logistics can be limited in rural areas, efforts are ongoing to improve delivery frequency and digitize services. Postal banking and remittance services are also being explored as part of broader development initiatives aimed at improving financial access in underserved communities.

So you have learned how to structure the address format for a recipient in São Tomé and Príncipe. But to ensure your address is reaching the intended recipient, you need a verified address. PostGrid Address Verification solution verifies, standardizes, and offers address autocomplete suggestions in real-time. Whether you want to verify a single address or bulk addresses, we provide correct, complete, and up-to-date addresses in sync with the official postal service provider for over 245 countries and territories. 

If you are curious about the format of any other country, visit our global address format page and learn the format followed in countries worldwide.