Services

National Change of Address (NCOA)

Timeline

You should receive your list within 2-3 days.  If NCOA is being run in conjunction with a job, please get us your data 1-2 days before we receive supplies.  This will allow us time to run the NCOA service and keep to your mailing schedule. 

List Requirements

Your list should be in Excel, Access or comma separated format.

In order to properly match up moves, NCOA services require the following fields to be in separate columns:

Please note:  If you are running NCOA in conjunction with a job and would like to use your more formal addressee field to address your mailpiece, you can send BOTH the first/last name fields AND the addressee field. We will use the first/last names for the NCOA processing, but utilize the addressee field to address the mailpiece.

If you currently have your name information stored only in a full name field, please contact Christy at 708.974.2600 x 103 for information on converting it to the separated fields.

If you are using Raiser's Edge: You will also need to include the Import ID and Address ID so you can automate the updates when you get the lists back. Please consult your Raiser's Edge Tech Support Number to make sure you export the correct information.

If you are using a Third Party database program (Raiser's Edge, Results Plus, etc)., please consult with your tech support to make sure you will be able to update your records automatically.

When should I run NCOA?

Due to the new Move Update Requirements, we recommend running your list through NCOA for every job, or at least 4 times a year.  In addition, we recommend you suppliment the NCOA service by using an Ancillary Endorsement, such as "Address Service Requested" on at least one job (usually a newsletter or postcard.)  Using the Ancillary Endorsement will catch additional people that moved without leaving a forwarding address and also anyone that moved where you did not have an exact match with the NCOA system.

In addition, you can run a list through NCOA without doing a mailing.  You may want to run the list through before pulling data for a big mailing so you can better determine how many good addresses you have on your list so you can order the proper amount of supplies.