1. Order of Information
* Recipient's Name: This goes on the top line, centered or aligned to the left.
* Street Address: This goes on the next line, also centered or left-aligned.
* House Number: This is part of the street address, but in Germany, it's often written separately on the same line or the line below.
* ZIP Code & City: This goes on the line below the address, with the ZIP code first, followed by a space and then the city name.
* Country (Optional): If sending internationally, you can add the country name on the last line. However, it's generally not necessary for mail within Germany.
2. Capitalization
* City names: Capitalize the first letter of the city name.
* Street names: Capitalize the first letter of the street name.
* Titles: Use titles like "Herr" (Mr.) and "Frau" (Mrs.) only if you are certain of the recipient's gender preference.
3. Punctuation
* No punctuation is typically used between the address lines.
4. Example
Here's an example of a properly formatted German address:
```
Max Mustermann
Musterstraße 12
12345 Musterstadt
Germany
```
5. Important Tips
* Use clear and legible handwriting or print.
* Avoid abbreviations unless they are standard German abbreviations.
* Double-check the spelling of the recipient's name, street, and city.
* If in doubt, use a German address format checker online.
6. Consider the Recipient's Preferences
* Some recipients may prefer a more informal style, using only the first name or nickname.
* Always err on the side of formality, especially for business correspondence.
7. German Postal Service (Deutsche Post) Information
* Visit the official Deutsche Post website ([https://www.deutschepost.de/](https://www.deutschepost.de/)) for specific guidelines and to access address format checkers.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your mail arrives at its destination quickly and without any issues.