The Division of Mail Management Services (DMMS) is often asked about proper return address standards for official mail originating from NIH. With more NIH offices using computer-generated return address labels, this issue has become increasingly important as NIH must follow U.S. Postal Service regulations concerning official mail.

U.S. Postal Service regulations require a complete NIH return address, which includes identifying the parent department (DHHS), agency (NIH), street address (or building), city, state, and ZIP Code. All official mail is required to bear the penalty statement “Official Business/ Penalty for Private Use, $300.” 

In addition, all NIH return addresses on U.S. Mail originating in Bethesda, Rockville, or Gaithersburg must include the NIH 'unique' ZIP Code of 20892.

The DMMS asks that employees include information identifying the IC, room number, and Mail Stop Code (MSC). Doing so enables the DMMS to properly attribute the postage used and to return mail to the NIH sender should the item be returned as undeliverable by the U.S. Postal Service.

Sample Complete Return Address

DEPARTMENT OF

HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

DR. JOHN DOE (Name optional)

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH/NIAAA

22 SUCCESS PL RM 9030 MSC 0080

BETHESDA MD 20892-0080

________________________________

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300

More information on addressing and other subjects regarding mail can be found in our online Mail Services Guide.