A move in shared housing, a partner moving in, a parent temporarily hosted: with each change of occupant, the mailbox raises the same practical question. If the plaque does not match the names the mail carrier is looking for, the mail is returned. Knowing how to indicate multiple names on a mailbox prevents weeks of lost mail, especially for registered letters.
Location supplements on the plaque: what the 2022 law changes
The law of February 8, 2022, has standardized the numbering and naming of streets in all municipalities. Every street must be named, and every residence must be numbered. We don’t always think about it, but this requirement has a direct effect on the mailbox.
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When several people share the same address, the plaque can no longer simply have a single last name. To understand how to indicate multiple names on a mailbox, one must know the address structure recommended by the ANGDM: line 2 is reserved for the apartment or mailbox number, the floor, the corridor, or the staircase, and line 3 for supplements like the entrance, building, or residence.
Including these elements on the plaque facilitates the identification of each recipient. In a building where three roommates occupy the same apartment, writing “Apt 12 – Bldg B” under the names prevents the mail carrier from confusing two neighboring mailboxes.
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Names on the mailbox: order and format according to the situation
The last name is the only mention truly necessary for La Poste to deliver the mail. The first name remains optional, but it becomes useful as soon as two people with the same name share the same address (parent and adult child, for example).
Married or civil partnership couple
Both last names are listed. If space allows, first names are added. A common presentation: “MARTIN – DUVAL” on the first line, with first names below. When one spouse uses the other’s name in everyday life, it’s still better to include their birth name: that’s the one La Poste and the authorities use.
Shared housing and hosting
Each occupant who receives mail must appear on the plaque. In shared housing, names are listed in alphabetical order to simplify reading. For a person temporarily hosted, the mention “at” followed by the name of the leaseholder is added.
- Roommates: one name per line, without exceeding the plaque’s capacity (generally three to four lines)
- Hosted: “LEGRAND at MARTIN,” which corresponds to the standard postal format
- Blended family: the names of both parents and, if adult children receive mail, their respective names
- Home-based business: the name of the business or self-employed entity can appear on a dedicated line, below the resident’s name
La Poste is now encouraging, through municipalities, a more exhaustive identification of occupants to limit distribution errors. When updating the plaque, it’s best to comply from the start.
Plaque errors that block mail delivery
The mail carrier has only a few seconds per mailbox. An unreadable or incomplete plaque results in the return of the item to the sender. Here are the most common errors found in collective buildings.
The first is the complete absence of a name. Legally, there is no fine for this omission. In practice, the mail is simply not delivered, and registered letters are considered addressed to an “unknown at the address.”
The second concerns characters that are too small or insufficient contrast. A handwritten label with a fine marker on a dark background becomes unreadable after a few months of exposure. Engraved or printed plaques on a light background remain readable for much longer.
The third trap: not updating the plaque after someone leaves. The former tenant still receives mail for several months. If their name remains on the mailbox, the mail carrier continues to drop items there, complicating tracking for the new resident and the sender.
Standardized plaque format and dimensions to respect
For buildings constructed after 1979, the decree of June 29, 1979, makes it mandatory to have a standardized nameplate on each collective mailbox. We are talking about a designated space for a plaque or label, not a unique format imposed by law.
In co-ownership, the property manager can set a uniform model (color, typography, dimensions). Before ordering a plaque, check the internal regulations. Some residences require engraved plaques, while others accept laminated labels.
- Check the dimensions of the existing nameplate before ordering (common formats are around 100 x 25 mm)
- Prefer a light background with dark characters, or vice versa, to maximize contrast
- Use uppercase for last names and lowercase for first names, in accordance with postal usage
The cost of replacing the plaque is the responsibility of the occupant, unless the change results from a decision by the property manager regarding the standardization of all mailboxes. In this case, the costs are charged to the co-ownership expenses. Responses vary on this point depending on the residences, so it’s better to ask for confirmation from the manager before incurring the expense.
A final detail often overlooked: when making a permanent address change with La Poste, the update of the plaque must be done in parallel. Mail forwarding has a limited duration, and after this period, only the plaque is valid for the mail carrier.