Updated September 26, 2026.
In short: you don't need your full street address on a resume. Put your city and state — for example, "Columbus, OH" — and, if you like, your ZIP code. That tells employers and applicant tracking systems whether you are local, which matters for on-site and hybrid jobs and for location filters, without putting your home address on a document that gets forwarded and stored. Add your full address only when the application requires it, such as some government jobs.
Should you put your address on your resume?
Put your location, not your street address. Most employers only need to know where you are to judge commute, relocation and time zone. They contact you by email and phone, and they collect your full address later in the hiring process — for background checks, offer letters and payroll.
| What to include | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Street address and apartment number | Leave off, unless the application requires it |
| City and state | Include |
| ZIP code | Optional — useful if recruiters search by radius |
| Country | Include only when applying across borders |
| "Remote" or time zone | Useful for remote jobs: "Denver, CO (Mountain Time)" |
Why leave your street address off a resume?
- Privacy. Resumes are uploaded to job boards, forwarded to hiring managers and kept in applicant databases. Your home address doesn't need to travel that far.
- Space. One line instead of two in the header.
- Nothing is lost. Recruiters don't mail letters; email, phone and LinkedIn are how they reach you.
When should you include your full address?
- The application or posting asks for it. Follow the instructions.
- Some government and federal jobs. Application systems often collect contact details in the form itself; check what the announcement requires. Our USAJOBS resume guide covers federal formatting.
- Very local jobs where proximity helps, such as a neighborhood retail or delivery job — city and ZIP usually still does the job.
Should you include your location for a remote job?
Yes. Many remote roles are limited to certain states or countries for tax and employment-law reasons, and many teams care about time zones. Write your city and state, or "Based in Austin, TX · Open to remote (US)."
How do you show your address if you're relocating?
State the move and the timing so a location filter or recruiter doesn't rule you out:
- "Relocating to Seattle, WA — July 2026"
- "Chicago, IL (relocating to Denver, CO in August)"
- "Seattle, WA" alone — only if you will be living there before a start date and you can interview on site
Mention the move once more in your cover letter, with the date.
What should a resume header look like?
Keep it to your name plus one or two lines. These details are placeholders:
Maya Thompson Columbus, OH 43215 · (614) 555-0123 · maya.thompson@email.com · linkedin.com/in/mayathompson
What to include:
- Full name
- City, state (ZIP optional)
- Phone number
- Professional email address
- LinkedIn URL; portfolio or GitHub if relevant (see GitHub on a resume)
What to leave off in the US:
- Full street address (usually)
- Date of birth, marital status, photo — see should you put a picture on your resume
- A second phone number or a work email from your current employer
Does leaving off your address hurt you with applicant tracking systems?
Not if your city and state are there. Location search and radius filters rely on city, state or ZIP, not a street name. A header with no location at all is the risk, so always include at least city and state. You can check how your header and contact details parse with the free ATS resume checker, and see the rest of the margin and layout basics that keep the header readable.
Frequently asked questions
Is it okay to not put an address on a resume?
Yes — leaving off the street address is normal. Do keep your city and state so employers know where you are.
Should I put my ZIP code on my resume?
It is optional. Include it if you want to show up in radius searches for nearby jobs.
What if I don't want to reveal my city?
You can use a broader area — "Greater Boston Area" or "San Francisco Bay Area" — which is still precise enough for location filters.
Should I put my address on my cover letter?
The same rule applies: city, state, phone and email are enough. Match your cover letter header to your resume header.
Do employers need my address to do a background check?
Yes, but they ask for it in the application form or after an offer, with your consent — not from the resume.