Where is 'Attn' Placed on Mail: Clarifying Its Use on Delivery vs. Return Addresses

'Attn' (Attention) is not typically found on a return address. Instead, it is an important component of the delivery address, used to direct mail to a specific individual or department within a larger organization or household.

Understanding 'Attn' (Attention)

The abbreviation "ATTN:" stands for "Attention." It serves a crucial purpose in mail delivery by specifying the intended recipient when the mail is addressed to a general entity, such as a company or a large household.

Purpose: To direct mail to a specific person when the overall address might apply to many individuals or departments.
Format: It is followed by the person's first name, or their first and last name.
Usage: This line is especially useful in situations where there are numerous employees at a business or multiple people in a household, ensuring the mail reaches the correct individual promptly.

Return Address vs. Delivery Address: A Key Distinction

To understand why 'Attn' is placed on the delivery address and not the return address, it's essential to differentiate between the two.

Feature	Return Address	Delivery Address
Purpose	Identifies the sender; where mail is returned if undeliverable.	Identifies the recipient; where mail is to be sent.
Placement	Top-left corner of the envelope or package.	Center of the envelope or package.
Components	Sender's Name, Street Address, City, State, ZIP Code.	Recipient's Name (and 'Attn' line), Company/Organization (if applicable), Street Address, City, State, ZIP Code.
'Attn' Usage	Never used.	Frequently used, especially for business mail.

Where to Place 'Attn' on a Delivery Address

When an 'Attn' line is necessary, it should be placed above the main company name or the general recipient's name within the delivery address block. This ensures postal services can deliver the mail to the correct location, and then internal mail handlers can direct it to the specific individual.

Here's the standard format for including an 'Attn' line on a delivery address:

Recipient's Name (Optional, if using 'Attn')
ATTN: [Specific Person's Name or Department]
Company Name / General Household Name
Street Address
City, State ZIP Code

Practical Examples

For Business Correspondence:
```
Big Tech Solutions
ATTN: Sarah Jenkins - Marketing Dept
123 Innovation Drive
Tech City, CA 90210
```
In this example, the mail is sent to "Big Tech Solutions," but specifically directed to the attention of "Sarah Jenkins" in the "Marketing Dept."
For Personal Mail to a Household:
```
The Miller Family
ATTN: Emily Miller
456 Oak Avenue
Hometown, NY 10001
```
Here, the mail is addressed to the "The Miller Family" household, but intended for "Emily Miller."
When a person's name is the primary recipient but 'Attn' clarifies an internal role:
```
Mr. John Doe
ATTN: Customer Service Manager
Acme Corporation
789 Business Park
Commerce City, TX 75001
```
This clarifies John Doe's role within Acme Corporation for the mail's purpose.

By correctly placing the 'Attn' line on the delivery address, you ensure your mail is efficiently directed to the specific person intended, even when sent to a larger organization or multi-person household.