Anchor has processed billions of records using the national change of address database maintained by the United States Postal Service®. As a USPS® certified NCOALink® Full-Service Provider our experience and dedicated staff have the programming skills to ensure your NCOA mailing lists are always in compliance with USPS® requirements.
The USPS® awarded Anchor its first NCOALink® Full-Service Provider license over 3 decades ago. Many companies that are NOT licensees of the USPS® offer this service and must outsource their processing. All our processing is done in-house, in our USPS® approved secure facility as an NCOA service provider.
What Is the NCOALink® Database?
The NCOA database is a secure dataset maintained by the United States Postal Service® (USPS®) that contains address change information submitted by individuals, families, and businesses. With over 160 million records of address changes filed in the past 48 months, the NCOA database is a vital resource for businesses aiming to keep their mailing lists current and compliant with USPS® mailing standards.
48-Month Full-Service Providers vs. 18-Month Limited Providers
Choosing a Full-Service Provider over a Limited-Service Provider changes how much address history is available for your mailing list. Full-service registry tracking accesses a comprehensive four-year archive of permanent residential and commercial move updates, while Limited-Service Provider platforms only reference the most recent year and a half of history, leaving older database records unverified.
Using the maximum tracking window helps ensure legacy customer accounts are successfully updated during long-term brand interactions. For this reason, we recommend the 48-month Full-Service option for most mailers.
Maintaining accurate, up-to-date mailing addresses is critical for cost-effective direct mail campaigns. As a leading NCOA service provider, Anchor Computer helps businesses reduce undeliverable mail, cut down on wasted postage, and ensure better customer reach. Our National Change of Address (NCOA) processing services use 48 months of USPS®-certified data to update and verify mailing lists before your campaigns go out.
10 Benefits of Using Anchor NCOALink® Service
- Access to approximately 160 million records of permanent address changes filed with the USPS®.
- Update new addresses for individual, family or businesses who moved in the last 4 years.
- Realize a 3% – 15% delivery improvement by reducing the amount of undeliverable or delayed mail.
- Decrease costs and increase response rates every time you mail.
- Qualify for USPS® automation and pre-sort discounts.
- Convenient and fast online processing at competitive pricing with comprehensive reports.
- Online processing 24/7 and the process is fully automated. All processing is done in-house, in our USPS® approved and SOC 2 Type 2 secure facility.
- Dedicated customer support
- Anchor has taken every precaution to make sure your file is secure throughout the NCOA process. Before uploading your file, NCOA mailing lists are encrypted using secure socket layer server software (SSL). Your file is then processed in our USPS® approved secure facility. Last, before your file is sent back to you, it is again encrypted using SSL software and zip passworded.
- Anchor respects your right to privacy. We will not sell, rent, exchange or release any of the information you submit on our web site without your permission.
The Anchor NCOALink® Process
- Read the Full-Service Provider Required Text Document.
- USPS® requires a minimum of 100 complete, non-repetitive, name & address records for processing
- Complete and sign an NCOALink® Processing Acknowledgement Form (PAF) and email it to [email protected]. The USPS® requires that processing be completed within 7 days of receipt of your files for processing unless express written consent by the file owner. An original or faxed NCOALink® Processing Acknowledgement Form must be received by Anchor prior to NCOALink® processing
- The USPS® requires a new six-digit field that must be entered in the “List Owner” area called “NAICS”. Please refer to the NAICS document listing the most used SIC Codes or visit www.census.gov, or call Anchor to determine your specific NAICS Code.
- Brokers/Agents and List Administrators must check the applicable box and complete the bottom portion of the PAF in addition to the list owner completing and signing their portion of the PAF.
- Technical Information
USPS® NCOALink® User Technical Reference
Sample Fixed Field Output Layout
Sample Delimited Output Layout
Sample DBF Output Layout
Sample Output Reports
Streamlining the NCOA Documentation Process
Proper documentation supports USPS NCOA compliance from the start. Completing the mandatory Processing Acknowledgement Form (PAF) establishes the required legal audit trail between list owners and the postal service, and submitting an accurate six-digit North American Industry Classification System code categorizes database files for regulatory compliance. These steps keep every submission organized and ready for review:
- PAF completed and signed before processing begins
- NAICS code entered accurately on the list owner section
- Broker, agent, or list administrator sections filled out where applicable
Seamless documentation workflows like these ensure high-volume customer lists clear postal validation checks within the necessary seven-day operational window.
Additional Integrated Services with NCOALink®
- DSF2® (Identifies Deliverable Addresses and Specific Address Attributes)
- AAE (Anchor Address Enhancement)
- Deceased Suppression Services
- DMA Mail Preference Service – Do Not Mail
- MaxCOA (PCOA)
- Super Suppress
Enhancing Mail Hygiene Through Integrated Address Suppression Tools
Accurate addresses are only part of good mailing list hygiene. Pairing NCOA address update services with deceased suppression systems keeps marketing networks from sending mail to deceased contacts, protecting your budget and brand reputation. Preference registry screening also respects consumer privacy choices while eliminating unnecessary production expenses. Secondary validation tools then confirm address deliverability status before a file goes to print.
Together, these integrated tools give Anchor Computer clients a fuller picture of mailing list hygiene beyond address correction alone.
How NCOALink® Pricing Works
At Anchor Computer, NCOA pricing is based on the volume of records processed and the frequency of processing. We offer flexible pricing models to fit your campaign size and frequency, whether you need a one-time update or ongoing address hygiene solutions.
Our pricing includes data processing, standardized formatting, and USPS® certification. We provide clear reports post-processing, so you know exactly what changes were made and why, giving you full transparency and control.
How the NCOALink® Database Works
When Anchor Computer processes your mailing list through the NCOA database, each address is matched against USPS® records. If a change of address is found, the outdated information is replaced with the new, standardized address. This process not only ensures your message reaches the right person but also helps your business qualify for postal discounts and improves overall mailing efficiency.
Anchor is 1 of 18 full-service NCOA providers in the US for over 3 decades. We utilize 48 months of data versus limited providers that use 18 months of data. Our NCOA service is CASS-certified, ensuring accuracy and full USPS® compliance. Whether you manage regular customer communications or large-scale direct mail campaigns, Anchor Computer’s system helps you stay ahead of returned mail and regulatory issues.
Securing Data Assets with Enterprise-Grade Encryption Protocols
Data security is treated as a priority throughout the process; from the moment a file is submitted to the moment it is returned:
- Client mailing lists are encrypted using secure socket layer (SSL) protocols before ingestion, protecting proprietary consumer data from external interception.
- All files are processed within a SOC 2 Type 2 certified, secure in-house facility, supporting strict corporate privacy mandates.
- Files are re-encrypted with SSL and zip-passworded before being returned, keeping updated mailing addresses secure during final delivery.
FAQs About NCOA
How often should I run my list through NCOALink® processing?
USPS® recommends running NCOA processing at least every 95 days to remain eligible for postal discounts and ensure deliverability.
What kind of address changes are captured?
The NCOA database includes individual, family, and business moves filed with the USPS in the last 48 months.
Is my data secure during processing?
Yes, Anchor Computer uses secure systems and follows strict USPS guidelines to protect your mailing data.
What if no match is found for an address?
If there is no change of address filed with the USPS, the original address will remain unchanged in your mailing list.
Can NCOA processing be combined with other data hygiene services?
Yes. At Anchor Computer, we pair NCOA processing with deceased suppression, preference registry screening, and secondary address validation services. Combining these tools into a single pass helps keep mailing list hygiene consistent across every campaign.
How is Anchor Computer different from other NCOA service providers?
Anchor Computer is 1 of 18 full-service NCOA providers in the U.S., and all processing is handled in-house rather than outsourced to a third party. This keeps turnaround times predictable and gives clients direct access to CASS-certified addresses paired with 48-month NCOA data.
Contact Anchor Computer for NCOALink® Service Providers and NCOALink® Processing
If you’re ready to clean up your mailing list, save on postage, and improve the success of your direct mail campaigns, Anchor Computer is here to help. As an NCOA service provider, we make the process simple, secure, and effective with in-house processing, USPS-certified 48-month data, and integrated mailing list hygiene services designed to support long-term data quality.
Contact us to learn more about NCOA processing or to get started with a customized service plan that fits your business and supports more accurate, efficient direct mail campaigns.
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