Matching Options

GeocodeUSAddress Matching Options

Matching options are used to determine how address searches are performed. They let you set match preferences, criteria and restrictions, and multiple match settings so that the matching can be as strict or relaxed as you need.

Parameter Description
Option.AddressPreference

Determines which address to use when more than one address is present in the address block.

PreferPOBox
Uses the P.O Box.
PreferBottom
Uses the second line entered. Default. You must select this value if you.
PreferStreetAddress
Uses the street address.

Option.FirstLetterSearch

Specifies whether to look for the correct first letter of a street name if the first letter is missing or incorrect. If enabled, the geocoder searches through the alphabet looking for the correct first letter to complete the street address.

Note: This option is not available if the match mode is set to Exact.
Y
Perform first letter search.
N
Do not perform first letter search. Default.

This example includes an incorrect first letter:

Input: 4750 nalnut boulder co 80301
Output: 4750 Walnut St Boulder CO 80301-2532

This example excludes a first letter:

Input: 4750 alnut boulder co 80301
Output: 4750 Walnut St Boulder CO 80301-2532

This example includes an extra first letter:

Input: 4750 wwalnut boulder co 80301
Output: 4750 Walnut St Boulder CO 80301-2532

Option.PerformDPV

Specifies whether to process addresses using Delivery Point Validation (DPV). DPV is a United States Postal Service (USPS) technology that validates the accuracy of address information down to the physical delivery point. You must have licensed the optional DPV processing option to use this feature. You must also install the DPV database.

To use DPV, enable this processing option and specify D in Option.OutputRecordType.

Y
Perform DPV.
N
Do not perform DPV. Default.

If you use DPV, multiple matches are automatically resolved.

False-positive addresses, also known as seed records, are addresses the USPS monitors to ensure users are not attempting to create a mailing list from the DPV data. If the geocoder matches an address in your input data to a false-positive address, you receive a message indicating you have encountered a false-positive address. Processing continues to the end of your job, but DPV processing is not available for this job and subsequent jobs until you have reported the false-positive address encounter to technical support and have received a new security key.

Option.PerformLACSLink

Specifies whether to process addresses using LACSLink.

Y
Perform LACSLink
N
Do not perform LACSLink. Default.

If you use LACSLink, be sure to choose to specify output record types P and Q so that the fields USLACS, USLACS.ReturnCode, and LACSADDRESS are included in the output.

For more information, see Locatable Address Conversion System (LACS).

Option.PreferZipCodeOverCity

Specifies whether to prefer candidates that match the input ZIP over candidates that match to input city.

Note: This option is not available when processing in CASS mode.
Y
Prefer candidates that match the input ZIP Code.
N
Prefer candidates that match the input city. Default.

For example, consider this input address:

301 BRYANT ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94301

Without this option enabled, the best match would be the one that matches the input city name:

301 BRYANT ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94107-4167

With this option enabled, the best match would be the one that matches the input ZIP Code:

301 BRYANT ST
PALO ALTO CA 94301-1408