Punctuation help?

[Orrex]

In formal business correspondence, should a mailing address include a comma between the city and the state's abbreviation?

Like this:

New York, NY 10001-1234

or like this:

New York NY 10001-1234

I've seen it both ways. I have with me four pieces of correspondence from utility companies, an insurance company, and a credit card company. All of them omit the comma.

What do you think?

[Left Is Write]

1. The post office prefers no comma.

I always write in block letters and omit periods and commas from mailing addresses.

[mzteris]

2. for the outside

"no comma" - as per the USPS instructions.....

But on the INSIDE Address - on the letter itself - yes, definitely a comma!



edit to clarify.

[Orrex]

3. Ah--that makes sense. Thanks!

[Strong Atheist]

4. I'm uncertain... nt.

[riona]

5. found this

"Avoid abbreviations for states, provinces, and countries in formal writing--the exceptions are the relatively long U.S., U.S.A., U.S.S.R., and C.I.S. which may be used at any time".


"The two-letter postal service abbreviations are all capitals with no periods. They are not set apart by commas. They are only used with addresses on letters, envelopes, and packages to be mailed."