NCOA / Delivery Point Validation

Since November 23, 2008, ALL Standard Class mail and all First Class presorted mail must meet "move update" requirements. This requirement does NOT apply to Periodical Class mail.

"Move update" refers to methods for making sure that the person or business you are mailing to is still at the address you have for them. When a person or business moves to a new address, they typically file a change-of-address notice with USPS. Those notices are compiled into a National Change of Address (NCOA) database. By checking your list against the NCOA database, you can tell if a person or business has moved, and correct their address (or delete the address, if you choose) before you address your mail.

This is not about "standardizing" addresses, nor is it about zip+4 codes. That's what CASS does. It does not matter whether you "are sure" that all the addresses are up to date. You still have to comply with the requirements as described below.

First Class presort and Standard Mail in ALL mail categories (letters, flats, automated, nonbarcoded, nonprofit, etc.) must meet move update requirements. There are several ways to do this:

METHOD 1

The easiest and least expensive way is to simply add "OR CURRENT RESIDENT" or "OR CURRENT OCCUPANT" to your addresses. You can do this on the same line as the name, or as a separate line directly under the name. When you do this, USPS will deliver the piece of mail to the address shown, regardless of whether the person or business you've addressed it to is still at that address. Since USPS will not pay attention to the name, you are exempt from the move update requirement.

Similarly, mail that is addressed to "OCCUPANT" or something similar and which has no specific name in the address is also exempt from the move update requirement.

If you are using First Class presort, you should be aware that by putting "OR CURRENT RESIDENT" or "OR CURRENT OCCUPANT" on your mail, it will no longer be forwarded or returned to you if the person or business has moved. This is not an issue for Standard Class mailers, since Standard Class is never supposed to be forwarded or returned unless you pay extra for that service.

If you choose to use this method, you should check "n/a" as your move update method when you fill out the postage statement for your mailing.

METHOD 2

If you don't want to use method 1, then the next least expensive method for small mailers is to track your own move information by requesting USPS address corrections every time you mail (or at least in one mailing every 95 days), and then updating your mailing list every time you receive an address correction.

You will be in compliance for your mailing if you have mailed to the same people before within the previous 95 days, you used one of the USPS address correction options, such as "Address Service Requested", when you mailed, and you updated your list with all the new addresses you received from USPS.

People or companies that you have added to your list within 95 days before a mailing are exempt from this requirement, if you received the address from someone who contacted you to request services or information or to make a purchase. A name that you purchased from a mailing list company or otherwise without an actual contact is NOT exempt from the move update requirement.

Several USPS address correction options can be used to meet the move update requirement. They include "Return Service Requested", "Change Service Requested", and "Address Service Requested". There are different costs and requirements for each option. Some options provide information in printed form while others are electronic. There's a good summary of these options here.

Remember that for you to use one of these USPS options to meet the move update requirement, you must mail to each address at least once every 95 days, and you absolutely must update your mailing list with any move information that the USPS provides.

METHOD 3

For larger mailing lists, and particularly for mailers who are already sending their list to a processing service for CASS certification, the easiest way to comply with the move update requirement is to have a processing service update your list using the NCOA database.

If you're paying for CASS, the addition of NCOA matching often costs very little more, and will save you the trouble of tracking corrections manually. If you're not already doing CASS, you might want to consider sending your list to a processing service for NCOA and also getting CASS, usually at little or no extra charge. Once your list is CASS certified, you can barcode for automation postage discounts (assuming your mail is of a normal shape and size).

Note that each address (except those recently received from customers) must be checked at least every 95 days, which is more often than the 180-day CASS requirement. However, because mailing lists often change, most mailers using CASS re-certify their lists more often than the minimum requirement of once every 180 days anyway, so this may not be an issue.

There are several levels of NCOA checking available, typically at different costs. Your list processing service can review the options with you.

Unlike CASS, you cannot buy software to do your own NCOA checking in-house. The NCOA database is licensed to a limited number of processing services in order to maintain the privacy of those who submit change-of-address forms to USPS. While there are software products that claim to offer NCOA, they actually just connect you to a list processing service that has the NCOA database.

Delivery Point Validation (DPV) is a validation process performed by the USPS to verify a specific postal address and whether delivery to this address is possible. DPV confirms whether primary, secondary, both or none of the address can be validated. This data is updated monthly by the USPS, ensuring that lists are accurate. By verifying this information and eliminating undeliverable addresses, the DPV process reduces the amount of incorrect postal data and improves data accuracy.

DPV also determines if an address is a Commercial Mail Receiving Agent (CMRA), which is a useful tool for identifying addresses with private mailboxes. Ambiguous addresses and multiple matches are also identifiable using DPV, which will then eliminate invalid data.

Exact Data offers NCOA and Delivery Point Validation as part of its data hygiene services. For more information and to speak with a Sales Representative, please call us at 877.440.3282 or send an email to sales@exactdata.com .

CASS CERTIFICATION PROCESSES

Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS) Certification is the verification of a list of addresses that has been matched against the USPS Address Matching System. CASS improves the accuracy of matching to multiple delivery point codes, including:

• ZIP + 4 Codes
• 5 digit ZIP Codes
• Carrier Route Codes

All mailing lists are required to undergo address verification every six months to ensure they meet the standards of the United States Postal Service.

CASS Certification improves delivery rates and determines qualification for bulk postal mail discounts. CASS Certification only applies to the ZIP code portion of the postal address.

To learn more about CASS Certification and Exact Data, please call us at 877.440.3282 or send an email to sales@exactdata.com .

DSF2 SERVICES

The costs of returned and undeliverable mail add up. Our DSF2 processing services verify your addresses are valid and update-to-date. Just a single piece of returned mail runs about $3, imagine receiving thousands.

In addition to updating and standardizing records, our DSF2 services have other benefits, such as:

- Distinguishing between business and residential addresses

- Identifying seasonal or vacant addresses

- Optimizing for USPS walk sequences, qualifying you for Enhanced Carrier Route (ECR) postal discounts

To learn more about our DSF2 Services, contact us at 877-440-3282 today.

DECEASED PROCESSING

Deceased Processing eliminates individuals no longer living from mailing lists.

Why is this important?

Removing deceased individuals’ data from lists not only prevents disturbing the deceased’s household, but also cleans the list and ensures accurate and relevant data is provided for your campaign. A clean list increases the deliverability and improves response rates, and ultimately lowers costs.

Exact Data’s Deceased Processing will suppress and screen your file thoroughly. This service also features duplicate record elimination and reporting, as well as summary reporting on the entire process and results.

Exact Data offers Deceased Processing as part of its data hygiene services.