If you need to send a letter to an employee of a company or to a person domiciled in a place other than their home (for example, you want to send a greeting card to your grandmother, who lives in a retirement home, or to a friend who is staying with a relative), make sure it doesn't get lost between trips. This article will tell you how to write the address correctly on the envelope to make sure it gets into the right hands.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Prepare the Necessary Information
Step 1. Write the address on the front of the envelope in legible capital letters
Use a pen or permanent marker. Don't write it down with a pencil, crayon, or other tool that may smudge or rub off.
- If the address includes the number of an extension, mailbox or other unit, do not write it directly or enter it with the № symbol. Instead, type "Extension 6", "Room 52" or "Mailbox 230".
- If you don't know what the number refers to, you can use the № symbol, but be sure to leave a blank space between the symbol and the digit. Instead of №6, write № 6.
- Writing in uppercase is preferable, but if you also use lowercase letters the letter will still be delivered. Just make sure they are legible and that each line does not exceed 40 characters, otherwise the mail scanner will not be able to read the address.
Method 2 of 2: Write the Address on the Envelope
Step 1. If you need to send a letter to a company employee, follow the example below (obviously replace the data)
In this case, the letter is addressed to Giovanni Bianchi and will be delivered to his workplace, wikiHow. Since the workplace is responsible for delivering the letter to John, the envelope will be sent to the wikiHow office. The abbreviation "c / o" (which means "at") must therefore be placed next to "wikiHow", who will deliver the message to Giovanni:
- Giovanni Bianchi
- c / o wikiHow
- Via Mazzini 40
- 20010 - Milan
Step 2. Follow the example below to send a letter to a person domiciled somewhere other than their home
If Giovanni Bianchi is staying with his cousin Maria Bianchi, then she is responsible for delivering the letter to him. The abbreviation "c / o" must therefore be placed next to "Maria Bianchi".
- Giovanni Bianchi
- c / o Maria Bianchi
- Corso Garibaldi 30
- Interior 12
- 20100 - Milan
Step 3. Glue the right amount of stamps
Postcards, letters and parcels all require different postage. The cost of national and international shipments can be variable. If you're not sure how much it will cost to send the letter or package, go to the post office and the clerk will tell you how many stamps to use.
Rates for letters, documents and communications by ordinary mail start at 95 cents; the precise cost depends on several variables
Step 4. Write the return address in the top left or back of the envelope
If for some reason it is impossible to deliver the letter, it will be returned to the sender's address indicated.
