Pelcro's Address Cleansing feature leverages CASS-certified software and USPS methodologies to automatically validate and standardize shipping addresses in the United States.

This process is critical to:

• Ensure accurate delivery
• Reduce returned mail
• Qualify for USPS automation discounts
• Prevent mail-order fraud

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Available for US addresses only

Currently supports US addresses only. Canadian support would require additional changes and re-certification.

What Is Address Cleansing?

Address cleansing involves a series of steps that improve address accuracy and ensure compliance with USPS formatting and validation standards:

Address Parsing

The initial step where the input address string is intelligently broken down into its distinct logical components. The purpose is to separate the address elements to allow for accurate analysis, targeted correction, precise standardization, and effective validation in subsequent steps.

• Primary Number
• Street Pre-Directional
• Street Name
• Street Suffix
• Street Post-Directional
• Secondary Unit Designator & Number
• City, State, ZIP Code™

Address Standardization

Formats parsed components according to USPS® Publication 28 standards:

• Applies proper abbreviations (e.g., Street → ST)
• Capitalizes properly
• Applies ZIP+4® formatting
• Orders address elements correctly

Address Correction

Detects and fixes issues using USPS® reference data:

• Typos in street or city names
• Incorrect suffixes or directionals
• Invalid or incomplete addresses
• Applies intelligent matching for recovery of flawed entries

Address Validation

This essential process confirms if a mailing address corresponds to a real, known location and is recognized by the USPS® as a currently deliverable destination. It goes significantly beyond simple formatting checks or corrections.

• Existence Check: Does this address exist?
• Deliverability Check: Can USPS deliver to this address?
• Uses DPV® (Delivery Point Validation) to verify specific delivery points (e.g., apartments, units).

Address Enrichment Attributes

Our CASS-certified software enhances address data by appending the following valuable attributes, primarily used by mailers for optimizing delivery, qualifying for postage discounts, and performing data analysis:

• ZIP+4® Code
  What it is: The standard 5-digit ZIP Code plus a 4-digit add-on number.
  Purpose: Creates a more specific geographic segment than the 5-digit ZIP Code alone, improving mail sortation and delivery accuracy. CASS certification fundamentally validates and assigns the correct ZIP+4.
• USPS Delivery Point Code (DPC) + Check Digit:
  What it is: A 2-digit number derived from the primary or secondary address number, plus a 1-digit check digit for validation.
  Purpose: When combined with the ZIP+4 code, the DPC creates a unique 11-digit number identifying the exact delivery point (mailbox). This enables the finest level of mail sortation using the Delivery Point Barcode (DPBC).
• Carrier Route Code:
  What it is: A code (e.g., C023, R015, H001) identifying the specific mail route serving the address. 'C' typically means city route, 'R' rural route, 'H' highway contract route.
  Purpose: Essential for sorting mail to qualify for Carrier Route postage discounts, which are often the lowest available rates.
• USPS eLOT® (enhanced Line of Travel) Code:
  What it is: A code consisting of a sequence number and an ascending/descending indicator (e.g., A0225).
  Purpose: Allows mailers to sort mail pieces into the approximate sequence that the carrier follows on their route (Line of Travel). Required for qualifying for certain Enhanced Carrier Route postage discounts.
• USPS DPV® (Delivery Point Validation) Status:
  What it is: A status code indicating whether the USPS database confirms the address (down to the suite/apartment level) is a known, valid delivery point currently receiving mail. Returns codes like 'Y' (Yes), 'N' (No), 'S' (Secondary number issue), 'D' (Missing secondary number) and can include flags for vacancies, CMRA (Commercial Mail Receiving Agent), etc.
  Purpose: Crucial for reducing Undeliverable-As-Addressed (UAA) mail, ensuring mail reaches its destination, improving list hygiene, and preventing waste. DPV goes beyond just verifying the address exists in a range to confirm its actual deliverability.
• County Name:
  What it is: The full name of the county (or county equivalent, like Parish or Borough) where the address is located.
  Purpose: Useful for demographic analysis, territory management, targeted marketing, and jurisdictional reporting.
• County Code (FIPS):
  What it is: The Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) code, a standardized numeric code uniquely identifying the county or county equivalent associated with the address.
  Purpose: Provides a standard identifier for data processing, database linking, and analysis across different datasets.
• Congressional District:
  What it is: The number identifying the U.S. Congressional District in which the address resides.
  Purpose: Essential for political mailings, constituent communication, lobbying efforts, and geographic/political analysis.

How It Works in Pelcro

• USPS address validation runs automatically during address creation or update.
• Invalid addresses will return an error.
• Corrected addresses are auto-suggested — formatting is updated.
• ZIP+4 digits and other enriched data are appended invisibly in the background.
• All cleansed addresses are ready for USPS presorting and automation discounts.