How do you write a P.O. Box address properly?

Question

do you do it

Jane Doe

2 Main Street P.O. Box 562

Any City, State, 01211

or

Jane Doe

P.O. Box 562

Any City, State, 01211

or

HOW!?

Answer 1

The second one is correct.

Answer 2

The correct format is

     Jane Doe

     P. O. Box 562

     Any City, State  01211  (no comma after state)

This address is NOT correct and your mail WILL be returned by the Post Office:

Jane Doe

2 Main Street Suite 562

Any City, State, 01211

UNLESS THAT IS AN ACTUAL OFFICE BUILDING.

An address like 2 Main Street Suite 562 implies an office building.  If the address is, instead, a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency like a UPS Store, you CANNOT use "Suite 562" after the street address of the store.  You must use either "PMB 562" or "#562" after the street address.  This is required by the Postal Service.

HOWEVER:

If Jane Doe lives or has a business at 2 Main Street but receives her mail at P. O. Box 562, you can use this form:

Jane Doe

2 Main Street

P. O. Box 562

Anytown, State  01211

This is called dual addressing and is usually used by businesses to give their customers a street address for shipping through common carriers or for customers to visit.