Written by Acorn Sales Company, manufacturing stamps and seals since 1964 · Reviewed by Holly R, VP of Sales and Marketing at Acorn Sales, against USPS Publication 28, USPS Business Mail 101, the Chicago Manual of Style and the Acorn Sales address stamp listings on September 25, 2026 · Updated September 25, 2026
A return address stamp should carry the same elements USPS expects in any address: your name, your street address with any apartment or suite number, and your city, state and ZIP Code. That fits on three lines, the layout of Acorn's 3 line address stamps. Below are wording examples for families, couples, apartments and businesses, plus the USPS formatting rules that keep the address easy to read.
What should a return address stamp say?
USPS says the return address "has the same elements as the Delivery Address" (USPS Business Mail 101). On a stamp, that becomes three lines.
| Line | What goes on it | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Your name, a family name or a business name | JANE A SMITH |
| 2 | Street number and name, with APT or STE at the end of the line | 123 MAIN ST APT 4B |
| 3 | City, state abbreviation and ZIP+4 | RICHMOND VA 23230-1234 |
USPS Publication 28 says the preferred spot for an apartment or suite number "is at the end of the Delivery Address Line," which is the street line (Pub 28, §213). Keeping it there is what lets a full address fit on three lines.
Return address wording examples
These examples use a made-up street address. Swap in your own and keep one idea per line.
One person
JANE A SMITH
123 MAIN ST
RICHMOND VA 23230-1234
A married couple with the same last name
JOHN AND JANE SMITH
123 MAIN ST
RICHMOND VA 23230-1234
Or use the family form, THE SMITHS, on line one. Both are correct.
A couple with different last names
JOHN KELLY AND JANE JOHNSON
123 MAIN ST
RICHMOND VA 23230-1234
The Emily Post Institute puts both full names on one line, joined by "and," and says the order of the names "does not matter" (Emily Post). If the names run long, a four-line stamp lets each name take its own line.
A family
THE MARTINEZ FAMILY
123 MAIN ST
RICHMOND VA 23230-1234
"The Martinez Family" sidesteps the plural question entirely. If you prefer the short form, see the plural rules below.
An apartment or suite
JANE A SMITH
4500 RIVER RD APT 210
RICHMOND VA 23230-1234
A small business
SMITH DESIGN STUDIO
900 BROAD ST STE 300
RICHMOND VA 23230-1234
If the suite will not fit on the street line, Pub 28 allows it on the line immediately above the street line. That turns the address into four lines, which the 4 Line Self Inking Address Stamp is built for.
How do you write a plural last name on a return address?
Add s, or es when the name ends in s or z, and never use an apostrophe. The Chicago Manual of Style is blunt about it: "An apostrophe is never used to form the plural of family names," with examples such as "the Wallaces" and "the Joneses" (CMOS Q&A).
| Last name | Correct plural | Not this |
|---|---|---|
| Smith | The Smiths | The Smith's |
| Patel | The Patels | The Patel's |
| Jones | The Joneses | The Jones's |
| Juarez | The Juarezes | The Juarez's |
An apostrophe after the plural shows possession, as in "the Joneses' home," which is why it does not belong on a return address that simply names who lives there.
What USPS formatting rules should you follow?
- Capital letters are preferred. Pub 28 says "Uppercase letters are preferred on all lines of the address block," though lowercase is acceptable if it stays readable.
- Leave out punctuation. An address "with no punctuation" is preferred, apart from the hyphen in the ZIP+4 Code.
- Use standard abbreviations. ST, AVE, BLVD, DR, LN, RD and CT for street types, and APT or STE for units. Pub 28 says the # sign should not be used when the correct designator, such as APT or STE, is known.
- Line everything up on the left. Pub 28 asks for a uniform left margin on all lines.
- Keep the type readable. USPS recommends 8 point or larger for a return address. Acorn's custom address stamps are set in 10 to 12 point type.
How many lines fit on an address stamp?
Three or four on the plain text address stamps, each set in Arial, Times New Roman, Futura or Courier.
| Stamp | Lines | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Line Address Stamp Regular Rubber Stamp | 3 | $14.95 (ink pad needed) |
| 3 Line Address Stamp Self Inking | 3 | $22.95 |
| 3 Line Slim Address Stamp | 3 | $23.95 |
| 4 Line Address Stamp Regular Rubber Stamp | 4 | $15.95 (ink pad needed) |
| 4 Line Self Inking Address Stamp | 4 | $24.95 |
| 4 Line Slim Address Stamp | 4 | $27.75 |
The designer address stamps, the ones with artwork beside the text, use a 1-5/8″ square die. If you want a raised impression instead of ink, address embosser plates measure 2″ wide by 1″ tall and take up to 26 characters per line.
Common return address mistakes
- An apostrophe in a plural name. "The Smith's" reads as possessive. Use "The Smiths" or "The Smith Family."
- A missing unit number. Pub 28 says apartment and suite designators are required on mail for addresses that have them.
- A fourth line you did not need. Put APT or STE at the end of the street line and most addresses fit on three lines.
- The old address. If you are moving, order the stamp for the new address once you know its full ZIP+4.
Related guides
- Address and Return Address Stamps and Embossers
- Self-Inking vs Pre-Inked vs Traditional Rubber Stamps
- Where a Return Address Goes, and Which Stamp Fits Your Envelope
- Personalized Holiday Stamps: A Gift Guide and When to Order
- Embossing Seals for Envelopes: Design, Size and Style
Frequently asked questions
Should my return address stamp include my name?
Yes. USPS says the return address has the same elements as a delivery address, and its consumer guidance lists your full name or company name first. A family name such as "The Smith Family" works in place of a first name.
Is it "The Smiths" or "The Smith's"?
"The Smiths." The Chicago Manual of Style says an apostrophe is never used to form the plural of a family name. Names ending in s or z add es, so Jones becomes the Joneses.
How do I put two different last names on a return address?
Put both names on one line joined by "and," in either order, as the Emily Post Institute recommends for couples with different last names. If the line runs long, choose a four-line stamp so each name gets its own line.
Where does the apartment number go?
At the end of the street line, such as 123 MAIN ST APT 4B. USPS Publication 28 calls that the preferred location and allows the line above the street only when the unit will not fit.
Should I use periods and commas on a return address?
You can leave them out. Publication 28 says an address with no punctuation is preferred, apart from the hyphen in a ZIP+4 Code, and that capital letters are preferred on every line.
Can I put the return address on the back flap?
USPS rules place it in the upper left corner on the front of the envelope. Our guide to return address placement and envelope sizes covers where it goes and when a back flap stamp or embossed impression works as decoration.
Have your three lines ready? Pick a style on our Address Stamps page.
