Where to Write a Return Address on Letter

We see many companies and individuals say they don’t want to write a return address on a letter or parcel. Though it is entirely your choice, Canada Post suggests mentioning it correctly to ensure the deliverability of mail returns.

The postal equipment reads the mailing and the return address for assigning the appropriate delivery routes. So, it may take Canada Post longer to process your items separately and initiate the shipping if you don’t mention all the details.

Return Address Format

Here’s how to write a return address correctly:

• Write your full name on the first line. Alternatively, you may also mention your organization’s name if you don’t need to redirect the mail item to you.
• Insert the additional delivery information, like floor number, department name, title, etc., on the following line and above the civic address.
• The following line should comprise your unit and civic number with the street address.
• Place a hyphen between the unit and the civic number of your return address on a letter.
• The last line should have the municipality/ city name, province/territory abbreviation and postal code.

When you compile these elements, you should get a return address on the letter that looks something like this:

Henry Wolfhard
ZYZ Industries
Floor 5
781 ARTHUR ST
Manitowaning ON P0P 1N0

You can use this Canada Post address format for all Canadian return addresses. Remember, the Post Office only returns items to local and national locations. Hence, mention a valid and deliverable address.

Placement

The next crucial thing you must know is where to write the return address on the letter!

The return address on the letter and package should always appear in the envelope’s top-left corner. It helps postal workers record the details and deliver mail to the correct destinations.

Your return address on the letter should be on the same line as your postage stamps. And the maximum height of your address block must not exceed 35 mm. Hence, you may need to restrict the number of lines, if possible, or print in small font.

This size is applicable for oversized envelopes and standard-sized envelopes*.

If you want to mail a package, you can add an address label of similar length on the top-left of your item.

*Standard envelopes have a minimum and maximum length of 140 mm and 245 mm, respectively. Also, the height should be at least 90 mm and not exceed 156 mm. You may need to pay extra if you mail envelopes with broader dimensions.

Best Practices to Write Return Address on Letter

Now that you know where to put a return address on an envelope, here are some more guidelines to help you:

• Always write the street address using capital letters.
• Only add a single space between the two parts of postal codes. But, leave two spaces between the province/territory abbreviation and these codes.
• The municipality should be on the same line as the province/territory and postal code. Refrain from using a second line when the first one gets lengthy.
• Print your addresses in black white or other light-coloured envelopes.
• Don’t use unnecessary punctuation in your addresses except for proper names, like- ST. ANTHONY’S.
• Use eligible handwriting or print your addresses to avoid confusion.
• Avoid using cursive fonts that can lead to misinterpretation of your return address on letter.

Editor’s Note: Some mailing classes make including a return address on a letter mandatory. Thus, please consider the option you select before finalizing anything.

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Also Read: Bulk Batch Address Verification Services