Editing Return address (section)

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[[File:Envelope - Boonville Address-000.jpg|thumbnail|Envelope with return address in top left corner]]
In postal [[mail]], a '''return address''' is an explicit inclusion of the address of the person sending the message. It provides the recipient (and sometimes authorized intermediaries) with a means to determine how to respond to the sender of the message if needed.

The return address should include an [[address]] or [[Post Office box|P.O. box]] details in the same way as the delivery address should. In most countries such as the [[United States]], [[Canada]], [[Australia]], [[France]], the return address is located in the upper left-hand corner of the [[envelope]], card, or label,<ref>{{cite web|title=Return Address {{!}} Postal Explorer |url=https://pe.usps.com/BusinessMail101?ViewName=ReturnAddress |website=United States Postal Service|language=en|access-date=2024-03-22|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322225409/https://pe.usps.com/BusinessMail101?ViewName=ReturnAddress |archive-date=2024-03-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title= Addressing mail accurately {{!}} Canada Post |url=https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/support/kb/business/address-accuracy/addressing-mail-accurately |website=Canada Post|language=en|access-date=2024-03-22|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322225016/https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/support/kb/business/address-accuracy/addressing-mail-accurately |archive-date=2024-03-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Addressing guidelines - Australia Post |url=https://auspost.com.au/sending/guidelines/addressing-guidelines |website=Australia Post|language=en|access-date=2024-03-22|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322224544/https://auspost.com.au/sending/guidelines/addressing-guidelines |archive-date=2024-03-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Guide pratique courrier |url=https://lastation.laposte.fr/sites/p8_u1/files/2023-05/Guide_Courrier_Histo_FR_Mars2023_LIV_05_05_23.pdf |website=La Poste|language=fr|access-date=2024-03-22|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322224532/https://lastation.laposte.fr/sites/p8_u1/files/2023-05/Guide_Courrier_Histo_FR_Mars2023_LIV_05_05_23.pdf |archive-date=2024-03-22}}</ref> which is also recommended by the [[Universal Postal Union]].<ref>{{cite web|title= Addressing and Postcode Manual |url=https://www.upu.int/UPU/media/upu/publications/manualAddressingAddressingAndPostcodeManualEn.pdf |website=Universal Postal Union|language=en|access-date=2024-03-22|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322230950/https://www.upu.int/UPU/media/upu/publications/manualAddressingAddressingAndPostcodeManualEn.pdf |archive-date=2024-03-22}}</ref> In the [[United Kingdom]], the return address is usually placed on the reverse of the envelope, after the words "Return address".<ref>{{cite web|title= How to address mail clearly, guide to clear letter addressing |url=https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/81/~/how-to-address-your-mail-%28clear-addressing%29 |website=Royal Mail|language=en|access-date=2024-03-22|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322230442/https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/81/~/how-to-address-your-mail-%28clear-addressing%29 |archive-date=2024-03-22}}</ref>

Businesses often use envelopes preprinted with a return address. Many individuals have sheets of adhesive labels preprinted with their home address to affix to their correspondence. Charities sometimes include such sheets in mailshots.  Rolls of return address labels can be purchased from companies that sell personalized labels to provide individuals an easy way to peel and stick return address labels to their envelopes.

The return address is not required on postal mail. However, lack of a return address prevents the postal service from being able to return the item if it proves undeliverable; such as from damage, [[postage due]], or invalid destination. Such mail may otherwise become [[dead letter mail]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Business Mail 101|url=http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/addressing/returnAddress.htm|website=United States Postal Service|accessdate=2013-08-23|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901161118/http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/addressing/returnAddress.htm|archivedate=2013-09-01}}</ref>