Structured address elements
The structured address elements are the dedicated ISO 20022 XML fields that replace free-text address lines: <StrtNm> (street, 70 chars), <BldgNb> (16), <BldgNm> (35), <PstCd> (16), <TwnNm> (35), <CtrySubDvsn> (ISO 3166-2) and <Ctry>. <TwnNm> and <Ctry> are mandatory; <PstCd> is Required-Conditional under the CPMI model.
How Structured address elements works in practice
All structured elements are optional-but-recommended except the mandatory pair; in fully structured format <AdrLine> is excluded altogether. <CtrySubDvsn>, where used, must carry an ISO 3166-2 code such as US-CA or GB-ENG. Text fields must contain at least one character, with no leading or trailing whitespace.
Source: the ioNova Postal Address Specification v2.0 §3.2–§3.3 (Table 5); CPMI harmonisation requirements — technical annex §0.13–§0.31 / p5; §4 footnote / p6-4.
All premises and location elements in use:
<PstlAdr> <StrtNm>CUBA STREET</StrtNm> <BldgNb>169</BldgNb> <PstCd>6011</PstCd> <TwnNm>WELLINGTON</TwnNm> <Ctry>NZ</Ctry> </PstlAdr>
Parent reference: ISO 20022 structured address mandate.
Sources
Standards & regulatory sources
- Harmonised ISO 20022 data requirements for enhancing cross-border payments — technical annex — BIS Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures (CPMI), 26 February 2026.
ioNova reference material
- ioNova ISO 20022 Postal Address — Requirements and Specifications v2.0, May 2026 — ioNova reference work consolidating the sources above. Request the specification in a demo.
See ioNova ARS in action
The complete ISO 20022 Postal Address — Requirements and Specifications Update 2026 consolidates the CPMI harmonisation requirements, the BIS PIE taskforce report, the PMPG Hybrid Postal Address whitepaper and the EPC address guidance into a single reference.
Book a demo