Address Verification Process

An address verification process is necessary for businesses to ensure accuracy of addresses and identifying information. The process is required by local jurisdictions and fraud prevention obligations. It can be done manually or by using an address validation tool. During this process, the address provided in an application is compared with a document that verifies the connection between the address and the applicant. Examples of such documents include bank statements, utility bills, and property tax receipts.

The process also involves checking individual mailing addresses against a database owned by the United States Postal Service. If they match, the addresses are considered valid. If not, they are invalid. An employer may not have the expertise or time to perform this process, but can enlist the help of leading address verification service providers. Such a service ensures that the addresses are up-to-date, standardized, and accurate.

Address verification tools can also use an address standardization process to fill in missing data and check for spelling errors. Advanced address verification tools can automatically fill in missing information such as state and avenue suffixes. They can also convert a number of fields into the proper format, such as country ISO3 codes. They can also handle multiple addresses at once, which makes address standardization more convenient.

Apart from using a tool, you should consider using an address verification service provider that offers a free trial. While these tools are easy to use and have many benefits, they have a few limitations. You should decide whether those limitations are a deal breaker for you. For instance, you can try Smarty US Address Verification for a 30-day trial.