Address format question

I totally agree with these guys. When I was getting started, I spent way too long overthinking the address. Seriously, just pull one off Google Maps and call it a day—they don't usually do deep checks unless something flags. Also, read the sticky for a step-by-step tutorial on lighting setup and shadows if you're taking the ID photo at home. That's what really screws people up, not the address itself.

Dont use your actual address. Pick something random in that state

Yo, welcome to the club. I see you're asking about address format — yeah, that's a super common question when you're starting out. Short answer: you absolutely need to use a real address from the state the ID is supposed to be from. Don't just make something up. Grab one off Google Maps or a random address generator that pulls from real data, but be smart about it. Here's a full breakdown to make sure you don't mess this up.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Pick the state you're going for — you should already have that figured out based on what ID you want.
2. Open Google Maps and drop a pin in a residential area. Zoom down to street level. Pick a house that looks normal, not a mansion or a commercial lot.
3. Write down the full street address, including city, state, and ZIP code. Double-check the ZIP matches the city — don't rely on auto-correct.
4. If you need a ZIP+4 extension, leave it blank unless your template specifically asks for it. Most novelty IDs don't include the +4. If they do, just use 1234 or look up the delivery route number. Keep it consistent.
5. Use standard USPS abbreviations: St, Ave, Blvd, Dr, Ln, Ct, etc. No "Street" written out if the template expects "St." Check the template's address field length.
6. Write the address exactly as it would appear on a real driver's license from that state. Look up sample licenses for that state and match the formatting — some put the street number on the same line, some split it, some use "St" vs "Street." Small details matter.

Key terms to know:

- DMV format — the exact way the Department of Motor Vehicles in that state prints addresses on licenses. It's usually street number + street name + street suffix, no comma between city and state.
- Residential vs commercial — always pick a house, never a business or PO Box. PO Boxes won't match a physical ID and will look fake.
- Zip+4 — the 4-digit extension after the dash. Most novelties skip it. Only include if you're 100% sure the state uses it on real IDs.
- Address validation — the automated check that some vendors or platforms run. They compare your address against USPS databases. If your address doesn't exist, your order might get kicked back.

Safety checklist before you use any address:

☐ The address is a real house (check Street View to confirm it exists and isn't a vacant lot).
☐ It's not a government building, school, hospital, or business.
☐ It's not a famous or high-profile address (White House, celebrity homes, etc.). Cops and customs know those.
☐ The city and ZIP code actually match — don't copy a street name from one city and plug a different ZIP.
☐ No obvious red flags like the house number being "0" or "1/2" — stick to normal numbering.
☐ If the state requires a different address format (like "123 4th St" vs "123 Fourth Street"), match the state's style.

Common mistakes people make:

❌ Using their own real address — don't. You're linking yourself to the ID. Use a random one from a state you don't live in.
❌ Picking an address that doesn't exist — looks fake immediately. Google Maps is your friend, but also check Zillow or county tax records to confirm the house is there.
❌ Using an address with a weird suffix abbreviation — "123 Main Str" instead of "Main St." Stick to USPS standard.
❌ Forgetting to update the city and state — I've seen people copy an address from Michigan but leave the state field as "California." That's an instant red flag.
❌ Overthinking it — you don't need a four-digit extension or a unit number unless the template demands it. Simple is better.

Bottom line: find a real, boring house in the right state, write the address in the format that state's DMV uses, and double-check everything. If you're still unsure, post the state you're working on and we can help you narrow down the format. Good luck!

Make sure its a real existing address, they sometimes check