USPS Postal Code Verification is a process to check the validity of an address. This is done to increase the deliverability rate of mail. It is also a necessity for direct mail campaigns.
There are many factors that determine whether an address is valid. Some of these include the name of the street, the name of the city, the firm, the addressee and the ZIP code.
While some organizations put a lot of effort into maintaining a clean address database, others fail to verify some addresses. Regardless of the reason, an incorrect address can cause problems.
An address is invalid when it does not match the official USPS database. The reason could be due to incorrect data or because the building or lot is vacant.
A ZIP code is a nine-digit United States zip code, which makes it easier for the USPS to sort out your mail. If you are using a post office box for mailing, a Delivery Point (DPV) is the unique identifier for every deliverable address.
In order to verify a postal code, you will need to use a tool such as the USPS Zip Code Lookup Tool. These tools are available for free. Once you have entered your address and ZIP code, the tool will run against the official USPS address database.
If you are looking for a more robust solution, you can also choose to work with a third-party service. One of the most popular business applications is Intrade. With its zip code API, businesses can now perform address verification and validate their ZIP codes.