Can You Put a PO Box and a Street Address on an Envelope?
Yes, an envelope can show a PO Box and a street address—but where each appears matters. A sender may use a PO Box as the return address while mailing to someone’s street address, or vice versa. For the recipient’s address, however, it is best to provide one clear delivery address. Including both a PO Box and a street address as competing destinations can cause confusion or delay.
- Identify the address the recipient wants to receive this specific item.
- Use one clear destination in the centered recipient block.
- Put the sender’s return address in the upper-left corner.
- Include all required PO Box, apartment, suite, or unit numbers.
- Verify the city, state abbreviation, and ZIP Code.
- Check carrier-specific requirements if the item is not being sent through USPS.
For ordinary U.S. mail, the practical rule is straightforward: a PO Box and a street address can both appear on an envelope when one is the return address, but the recipient block should show one intended delivery address. If the recipient has given special instructions or uses USPS Street Addressing, follow the approved format rather than combining addresses on your own.