Why are the address lines swapped after Address Validation?

Overview

You just validated an address and the information found on each line has been combined or swapped

Environment

Avalara AvaTax

Resolution

• The AvaTax service uses the USPS database of Validated addresses, as well as the Postal Addressing Standards used by the USPS
  • Per USPS regulation, it is required that the Street Address be immediately followed by the City, State, and Zip Code.
    • This will leave two address lines left, Address Line 1 and Address Line 2
  • If you review the USPS Reference sites listed below, you will see that the USPS also requires the Company Name to be listed just before the Street Address, and the Attention To line is listed before the Recipient Line
    • For example:
      • Line 1: Attn: Sara
        Line 2: Avalara
        Line 3: 1100 2nd Ave #300
        City: Seattle
        State: WA
        Zip: 98101
• Examples:

  • Test 1: You enter the following

    • Line 1: Avalara
      Line 2: Attn: Sara
      Line 3: 1100 2nd Ave #300
      City: Seattle
      State: WA
      Zip: 98101

    • Per the USPS requirements, the address will be swapped to list the Attention To line before the Business name and the Business Name before the Street Address 

      Line 1: Attn: Sara
      Line 2: Avalara
      Line 3: 1100 2nd Ave #300
      City: Seattle
      State: WA
      Zip: 98101

  • Test 2: You enter
    • Line 1: Avalara
      Line 2: 1100 2nd Ave
      Line 3: Suite 300
      City: Seattle
      State: WA
      Zip: 98101
    • Per the USPS requirements, the address will be swapped to list the suite number on the same line as the Street Address
    • Line 1: Avalara
      Line 2: 1100 2nd Ave Ste 300
      Line 3: 
      City: Seattle
      State: WA
      Zip: 98101
• USPS References:
  • Postal Addressing Standards
  • Address Lookup

Note: The workaround to prevent this, is to add the suite or apartment number into line one after the street address.