Sending Mail To The Armed Forces

Getting Started

Here is a list of helpful tips and tricks to ensure your mail is properly formatted for the USPS when sending mail to the armed forces.

In This Article:

• What You Need to Know
• Address Format Guidelines
• Correct State Codes and What They Mean
• Tips & Additional Notes

What You Need to Know

• Mail to military addresses (APO, FPO, DPO) is treated as domestic mail by USPS.
• You must not include the foreign city or country name in the address. Use APO, FPO, or DPO as the “city” designation with a two‑letter “state” code (AA, AE, or AP).
• Mail must be addressed to a specific person or unit (i.e. no “Any Service Member”)

Correct State Codes and What They Mean

Use these “state” codes to indicate the region of the military address:

Address Format Guidelines

Follow this structure for addressing military mail:

1. Recipient’s full name (rank optional)
2. Unit / PSC / CMR and Box number
3. APO / FPO / DPO + State code (AE, AP, or AA) + ZIP (or ZIP+4)

Tips & Additional Notes

• Always include a valid U.S. return address.
• APO/FPO/DPO addresses must remain clear of city/country names to avoid routing through foreign systems.
• The ZIP code block often gives you regional clues
• Only USPS can deliver to APO/FPO/DPO addresses (private carriers like FedEx and UPS often can’t directly deliver to them).

Click here for more information from the USPS on sending mail to the armed forces.