Address Verification: How to Read Your Results

This tool checks shipping addresses against carrier databases before you submit a PO to Percorso. Use it to catch address problems early, when they are easy to fix.

How to Use It

Enter the address exactly as it appears on your PO, then click Verify. If you are shipping via UPS or FedEx, select the carrier before verifying — this enables checks specific to that carrier.

Reading the Results

The Verified Result Column

After verification, a Verified Result column appears to the right of the form. It shows what the carrier database returned for each field.

Bold dark red text means the value was changed during verification. Always review these changes before submitting your PO.

Verification Status

Below the form you will see status indicators:

• ZIP+4 Verified — The ZIP code is valid and has been expanded to a 9-digit ZIP+4 (e.g., 19087 becomes 19087-1708). This improves delivery precision.
• Delivery Verified — The full address is confirmed deliverable by the carrier database.
• Failed — The address could not be confirmed. See the guidance below.

History Badges

Each entry in the history panel shows one of three badges:

• Verified As Is — The address was confirmed exactly as entered.
• Verified with Corrections — The address was confirmed but one or more fields were changed. Review the dark red values before submitting.
• Failed — The address could not be confirmed.

Common Corrections and What They Mean

Street name was changed

Submitted: 987 Old Eagle Rd → Returned: 987 OLD EAGLE SCHOOL RD

The carrier database found the correct street name. This is a real correction — the original address would likely have caused a delivery failure or return to sender. Confirm the corrected name matches the physical location before submitting.

Suite or unit moved to Street 2

Submitted Street 1: 900 Main St Ste 400 → Returned Street 1: 900 MAIN ST / Street 2: STE 400

This is acceptable and correct. Carriers sometimes put the suite number or floor number on the second address line. No action needed.

ZIP code expanded

Submitted: 60607 → Returned: 60607-4067

Normal and beneficial. The 9-digit ZIP+4 routes the package more precisely. No action needed.

Street 2 content was removed or changed

Submitted Street 2: Room 321, PO# 39101359438 → Returned Street 2: (blank) or only STE 709

The carrier database standardizes Street 2 to recognized unit designators only (Suite, Floor, Room, etc. in standard format). Reference numbers, PO numbers, attention lines, and internal routing codes are not preserved in the verified address. Including non-address data in the Street 2 field is a risk.

This does not mean that information is lost or unimportant. See the section below on internal routing information.

Internal Routing Information (Building, Room, MC Numbers, PO References)

University and research facility addresses often include information like:

University of Illinois
Attn: Jane Scientist / Room 3256
4321 MBRB, MC 123
900 S Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60607

The building number, room number, mail code (MC), and internal PO reference are for the facility's mail room, not for the carrier. UPS and FedEx only need the street address to get the package to the building. The facility's receiving staff handle internal delivery from there.

When you submit a PO with this type of address:

• The street address (900 S Ashland Ave) is what the carrier needs and what will be verified
• Internal routing details (room, building, MC, reference number) should be included in reference fields or the attention/name field so Percorso can include them on the label appropriately
• Do not be alarmed if these details do not appear in the Verified Result — that is expected behavior

When Verification Fails

A failed result means the carrier database could not confirm the address is deliverable. Common causes:

• A typo in the street name or number
• An incorrect ZIP code for the city entered
• A very new address not yet in the database
• A non-standard facility address (some research campuses and industrial sites)

What to do:

1. Check the address against the original PO document carefully
2. If you have a contact at the recipient facility, confirm the shipping address directly — billing addresses and shipping addresses are often different
3. If you are confident the address is correct (e.g., you have shipped there before), note this when submitting your PO to Percorso

Do not submit a PO with a failed address without first confirming it with your contact. Undeliverable shipments are expensive to retrieve and reship.

Carrier-Specific Notes

FedEx

A phone number for the recipient is required by FedEx to avoid delivery issues. Include a recipient phone number in your PO whenever shipping via FedEx.

UPS

Percorso recommends including a recipient phone number for UPS shipments as well. It is not required but reduces the likelihood of delivery exceptions at large facilities.

Field Length Limits

When UPS or FedEx is selected, the tool displays character counters next to each field. Carrier systems truncate fields that exceed their limits, which can cause label errors or misroutes. If a counter turns orange, shorten that field before submitting.

History

The tool saves your last 20 verifications locally in your browser. Click any history entry on the right to reload that result without making a new API call.

Questions

If you are unsure how to interpret a result, contact Percorso.