How to Address and Send a Letter in the Mail (Domestic & International)

Sending a letter in the mail is super easy—all you need is the right envelope and postage stamp. Whether you’re writing a message to your pen pal or sending an important business document, we’ll walk you through all the steps to help your letter get to its destination safe and sound. Keep reading to learn how to mail any letter domestically or internationally.

Sending a Letter in the Mail

Place your letter inside an envelope and seal it. Write the recipient’s address on the front of the envelope in the bottom center. Then, add your address in the top left corner. Stick a First Class stamp and any additional postage in the top right corner and drop the letter at the post office or put it in your mailbox.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Choosing an Envelope or Postcard

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Check the destination’s rules if you’re sending a letter internationally. Each country has its own rules on what they’ll allow in and how you can send it. You can check what the country you’re sending your letter to prohibits and allows by clicking on the number next to its name on USPS’s Index of Countries and Localities.^{[1]
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- If you’re just sending a letter (no trading cards, bookmarks, stickers, checks, or other items with cash value), you probably don’t need a customs form.
- If your letter weighs up to 3.5 oz (0.22 lb) or your large envelope weighs under 15.994 oz (0.9996 lb), you can only use the USPS’ First Class Mail International Mailing service.^{[2]
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Choose an appropriately sized envelope. In the U.S., envelopes must be rectangular, made of paper, and no larger than 11 ¹⁄₂ by 6 ¹⁄₈ in (29 by 16 cm) (standard envelopes are 9 ¹⁄₂ by 4 ¹⁄₈ in (24 by 10 cm)). You can fold your letter as long as the envelope is no thicker than ¹⁄₄ in (0.64 cm). Other factors to consider include:^{[3]
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- Its intent. If you're mailing a cover letter, choose a professional-looking, business-size envelope. Place wedding, graduation, or other embellished invitations with ribbons or wax seals inside another envelope to protect them.
- Its destination. If you're mailing a letter overseas, use a sturdier envelope to protect it from damage. If you’re sending a delicate item, choose a bubble-lined, padded paper, or waterproof envelope.^{[4]
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- Any extra protection services. Extra mailing services that insure or track your envelope (like Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express) may require you to purchase a special envelope.
- If you want to send standard 8 ¹⁄₂ by 11 in (22 by 28 cm) papers without folding them, buy a large envelope.
- If you’re mailing a postcard, there’s no need to use an envelope.
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Place the letter inside the envelope and seal it. Fold and insert the letter into the envelope and double-check that it’s the correct thickness. Lick the shiny edge of the envelope’s opening flap to moisten the glue. Fold the flap over and press the edge down to seal it.
- If your sealed envelope is too thick or heavy, you will need to purchase extra postage.^{[5]
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- In the U.S., standard envelopes must be no thicker than ¹⁄₄ in (0.64 cm), large envelopes no thicker than ³⁄₄ in (1.9 cm), and postcards no thicker than 0.016 in (0.041 cm).^{[6]
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- Wet a sponge with a little water and moisten the envelope glue if you don't want to lick it.
- Place a small amount of clear tape along the edge of the seal if you’re afraid the letter might open on its journey.

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Writing the Address on Your Mail

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Write the delivery address in the bottom center of the envelope. Flip the envelope over to the front side. On separate lines, write the recipient's name (or their company’s name); apartment or house number; street name, city, and state or territory; zip code; and country abbreviation, if you’re mailing internationally.^{[7]
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Research source} Use printed, upper-case letters written in pen or permanent marker, without using commas or periods.^{[8]
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- Your delivery address will be formatted like this:^{[9]
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  - SKYLER WHITE
  - 2004 ROSETHORN COURT APT 4
  - ALBUQUERQUE NM 87041
- If the recipient uses a post office box, write the box number followed by the city and state (and the country, if you’re sending the letter internationally).
- Some Puerto Rico addresses include an urbanization code (URB) to include before the complex name. U.S. Virgin Islands addresses abbreviate the territory as “VI.”
- If you’re mailing a letter to a military or diplomatic address in another country, leave out the city or country name. Include the unit or box number if they’re assigned.
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Write your return address in the top-left corner. This ensures that the letter comes back to you if it doesn't make it to the recipient. As you did with the recipient’s address, write your name (or company’s name); apartment or house number; street name, city, and state or territory; zip code; and country abbreviation (if mailing internationally) on separate lines.^{[10]
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- Your return address will look something like this:
  - JANE SMITH
  - 111 LAKE DR.
  - MALIBU, CA 11111

Part 3

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Calculating and Applying Postage

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Use a First-Class stamp for mail weighing under 1 oz (0.063 lb). If you're mailing a letter that’s 11 ¹⁄₂ by 6 ¹⁄₈ in (29 by 16 cm) or smaller, weighs less than 1 oz (0.063 lb), and isn’t lumpy or rigid, place a First-Class (or international First-Class Global) stamp in the top-right corner of the letter. Purchase stamps at any post office, at various retail stores, and online.^{[11]
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- If your letter doesn’t weigh over 1 oz (0.063 lb) but is larger than 11 ¹⁄₂ by 6 ¹⁄₈ in (29 by 16 cm), you’ll need to purchase alternative postage that may cost more.^{[12]
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- The general rule is that you can send 1 oz (0.063 lb) (or 4 sheets of standard printer paper and a business-sized envelope) for 1 First-Class Mail stamp.^{[13]
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- Stamps come with either standard or special designs. If you want to purchase a decorative or commemorative stamp, go to a post office and ask to see their selection.
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Buy extra postage if your letter weighs over 1 oz (0.063 lb). Heavy letters may require extra postage to reach their destination. Weigh your letter with a kitchen scale, a postal scale, at a self-service kiosk, or at your local post office.^{[14]
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Research source} Check with USPS to see the current postage rates.
- Use the International Price Calculator to see what additional postage you’ll need.
- For letters up to 3.5 oz (0.22 lb), each additional 1 oz (0.063 lb) costs a fixed amount. For large envelopes up to 13 oz (0.81 lb), the price varies for each additional 1 oz (0.063 lb).
- Envelopes that are too thick to fit easily through USPS processing machines (including those that are lumpy or rigid, or have buttons or clasps) will cost an additional fee to send.
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Pay extra for insurance, proof of delivery, or signature services. If your envelope contains something valuable, you can pay for add-ons at your post office like insurance coverage, tracking updates, a record of the recipient’s signature, a delivery record, or delivery information.^{[15]
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Research source} Some of the most popular USPS services include:^{[16]
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- USPS Tracking (domestic): Get tracking updates for your letter, including the date and time it was delivered.
- Certified Mail (domestic): Get proof that you sent the letter and see when it was delivered.
- Signature confirmation (domestic): Find out when your letter was delivered by requesting the record from USPS and require the recipient to sign for the letter.
- Registered Mail (domestic or international): Domestic Registered Mail can be insured for up to $50,000. International mail may have prohibitions and restrictions that apply.
- Return receipt (domestic or international): Get an electronic or hard copy record of the delivery that shows the recipient’s signature.

Part 4

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Sending Your Mail

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Put the letter in your mailbox, a collection box, or your post office. If you have a mailbox on or near your home, place your letter inside and rotate the red flag up. You can also find a blue USPS collection box and place the letter in the slot, or take the letter to the post office if you need to buy extra postage.^{[17]
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- If your envelope weighs more than 10 oz (0.63 lb) or is thicker than ¹⁄₂ in (1.3 cm), you cannot put it in a collection or mailbox. You must give it to an employee at a post office.^{[18]
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- Find the closest post office or blue collection box on the USPS website.
- Every collection box has a notice indicating when the mail gets picked up each day. If you place your letter inside after the scheduled pick-up time, it will be picked up the next business day.^{[19]
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At what time should I put the envelope in my personal mailbox?

Community Answer

You should put it there before the day's mail is delivered, and be sure to put the "flag" up. This way the carrier will know that you have outgoing mail and stop to pick it up even if s/he doesn't have mail for you.

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Is it free to mail a letter?

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No. In most countries, regular sized letters/postcards cost a minimal fee to mail; this fee is represented by a postage stamp, which you can purchase from your local post office. Stamp prices can vary, but if you are sending a domestic letter that weighs under one ounce (this applies to the U.S. only), a letter only requires one stamp to send.

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When will my letter arrive from England?

Donagan

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International mail usually takes a week or longer to be delivered.

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Even if you’re sending a letter to someone in the same state, you still need a postage stamp.^{[20]
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If you live in the U.S. and you’re sending a letter internationally, write the delivery address in English. If you do write it in another language, include the English translation after each line.^{[21]
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Addresses for an apartment or suite may require a designator before the unit number. The most common ones are APT (apartment), BLDG (building), FL (floor), STE (suite), and UNIT (unit).^{[22]
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