Attention Line
An address line directing mail to a specific individual or department within an organization, placed above the organization name in USPS addressing format.
The attention line is used when mail is addressed to a business or institution but needs to reach a particular person or department. In USPS format, it appears as the first line of the address block: 'ATTN JOHN SMITH' or 'ATTN ACCOUNTS PAYABLE.' The recipient organization's name appears on the next line, followed by the street address and city/state/ZIP.
The attention line does not affect mail routing — the USPS delivers based on the street address and ZIP code. Its purpose is internal: once the mail arrives at the organization, the mailroom uses the attention line to route it to the correct person or department.
In international mail, the attention line serves the same function but its placement may vary by country convention.