All SmartyStreets services automatically perform standardization on all addresses in your list.

What Is Address Standardization?

In a general sense, address standardization is the method of changing an address to match a standard form. More specifically, it is the addition of missing elements, such as ZIP Code, city or state, and even street information. It also encompasses the removal of bad or outdated information and the updating of an address to match shifts and changes in municipal and regulatory boundaries.

Never Trust User Input

One of the first rules in information collection is to always verify first before placing confidence in data being collected. This rule was never more true than in the case of address information. Because many individuals can write their address in many different forms--often forgetting information or worse yet, providing incorrect information--a process is needed that can unify the disparate addresses and recognize that they are a single address or location. This process is address standardization.

Example

Consider an address presented with various formatting differences:

1600 Amphitheatre Parkway Mountain View, CA	1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy Mountain View, CA
1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy 94043	1600 Amphitheatre 94043

Using any of the addresses above, address verification software will provide the following standardized address:

1600 AMPHITHEATRE PKWY MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA 94043-1351

More Information

For a more complete treatment of address standardization, please refer to our white paper on the subject.