Useful Terms & Definitions

Complete Address - An address that has all the address elements necessary to allow an exact match with the current Postal Service ZIP+4 and City State files to obtain the finest level of ZIP+4 and delivery point codes for the delivery address. A complete address is required on mail at some automation rates. (USPS Publication 28, 2)

Delivery Point Validation (DPV&trade) - A address list processing service that allows users to determine whether or not an address exists and is services by the USPS.

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) - This publication from the United States Postal Service provides an overview of mailing for customers, businesses, and other organizations. It also contains the official rates and standards for USPS mailing services.

Matched Address - An address where suffixes, directionals, spellings, and city names are correct.

Optical Character Reader (OCR) - Software that translates images of text into machine-editable text. OCR technology is used to read mailpieces sent through the USPS.

Publication 28 - A guide from the United States Postal Service that sets standards for placing an address on a mailpiece. These standards include postal addressing, address formatting, abbreviations, and other address elements.

Standardized Address - An address that is fully spelled out, abbreviated by using the Postal Service standard abbreviations shown in USPS Publication 28 or as shown in the current Postal Service ZIP+4 file. (USPS Publication 28, 2)