What is in care of name?

"In care of" (c/o) is a postal addressing convention indicating that a piece of mail should be delivered to the recipient at the address of the named person or organization. It's frequently used when the intended recipient doesn't reside or work at the given address but can still receive mail there. Here's a breakdown:

• Purpose: The primary purpose of "in care of" is to direct mail to someone who doesn't have a permanent address or who needs mail delivered to a specific location for temporary reasons.

• Usage: "In care of" is placed on the line above the intended recipient's name and below the sender's return address. For example:

  Sender's Name/Address
  In care of: [Person/Organization Name]
  Recipient's Name
  Street Address
  City, State, ZIP Code
  

• Common Scenarios: It can be used in various situations, such as:

  • Someone temporarily staying at another person's home.
  • A student receiving mail at a professor's office.
  • Mail being sent to a business for an employee.
  • A traveler receiving mail at a hotel or friend's address.

• Responsibilities: The person or organization named "in care of" is responsible for receiving the mail and ensuring it reaches the intended recipient. They act as a temporary mailing address.

• Legal Implications: The use of "in care of" generally doesn't grant any legal rights or responsibilities beyond the acceptance and forwarding of mail. The legal%20status of the recipient isn't affected.

• Alternatives: In some situations, using a Post%20Office%20Box (PO Box) or a commercial mail%20receiving%20agency may be a more suitable alternative, particularly for extended periods or sensitive mail.

In summary, "in care of" is a useful tool for directing mail to the correct person when they don't have a readily available address, but it relies on the goodwill and responsibility of the person or organization named "in care of."