Packing boxes, moving furniture, and setting up utilities are just a few of the things you’ll encounter when moving. However, there may be something you’re overlooking—your mail delivery.
More specifically, if you’ve recently moved and aren’t getting mail delivered, you’ve got a big problem on your hands. In this article, we cover what invalid addresses are and how to validate your address!
What Is Invalid USPS Address In [currentyear]
USPS considers an address invalid if it does not match a corresponding address in USPS’ official address database in [currentyear]. Additionally, new and unregistered addresses, incorrect data, and an address located within a postal code serviced mainly by PO boxes will all be considered invalid.
If you’re having issues with mail delivery and think it has something to do with your address being labeled invalid, then continue reading for the solution!
How Do I Fix an Invalid Address with USPS?
To begin, you want to make sure that the address is registered.
You may not realize it, but even though USPS maintains an address database, it’s not the company’s responsibility to keep track of new addresses that have been created.
Rather, it’s up to the home or building owners who live and work there to make sure that their address is registered.
To do so, you’ll need to add your address to the United States Address Management System (AMS).
You can visit the USPS Postal Pro page to complete this process. Here you’ll find where your nearest Address Management System Office is.
After entering your zip code, you’ll get the address and phone number of your local AMS. Get in touch with customer service, and they’ll help add your address to the USPS database.
Note that It may take anywhere from a few weeks to several months for your address to be updated with USPS.
What Is an Invalid USPS Address?
An address that doesn’t match a corresponding address in USPS’ official address database is considered invalid.
Essentially, this means that USPS doesn’t recognize the address and consequently won’t deliver there.
Why Does USPS Say an Address Is Invalid?
There are several reasons why USPS fails to recognize an address and thus considers it invalid.
One of the more common reasons an address will show up as invalid is because it contains incorrect data.
This could be a misspelling in the street name, an incorrect house number, or a missing zip code.
For an address to be valid, it must match a corresponding address in the official USPS address database.
Therefore, if an address contains any incorrect data, it will not match a corresponding address in the database and will be considered invalid.
Another reason an address may come up as invalid is because it is marked as “vacant” in the USPS system.
Addresses get labeled as vacant if…
- Mail has not been collected for 90 days or longer
- An address is under construction and is not yet occupied or won’t be for a long time (e.g. when a building is getting demolished)
In addition to these explanations, new addresses, unregistered addresses, or addresses located within a postal code serviced primarily by PO Boxes will likely be seen as invalid by USPS.
What Happens If USPS Cannot Verify an Address?
If USPS is not able to deliver mail as addressed, the company will use the return address on the mailpiece and attempt to return the item to the sender.
If no return address is present, the mailpiece will either be handled by the local Post Office or sent to the Mail Recovery Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
To track down a missing mailpiece, you can contact a Consumer Affairs representative via 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777).
Additionally, you can file a missing mail request online or visit your local Post Office to submit a search request.
To know more, you can also read our posts on how to cancel USPS change of address, how long does USPS change of address last, and USPS delivered to wrong address.
Conclusion
New construction, a vacant address, or a simple misspelling are all reasons why USPS may consider an address invalid.
Having an invalid address means that your mail won’t get delivered, so it’s an issue worth taking care of as soon as possible.
