A remittance address is an address that a business uses to receive payments and invoices by mail, and it’s different from their primary mailing address. If you’re making a payment to a company, you are likely to receive their remittance address.

Now, a remittance address can also be called a remit address, a remit to address, or more simply, a billing address. Moreover, sometimes a business will not have a remittance address that is different from their general mailing address.

Needless to say, the situation can get complicated — fast! But, read on to clear up any confusion you may have on a remit to address, or remittance address.

What is a 'Remit to Address'?

As mentioned above, a ‘remit to address’ is simply another name for a remittance address. The phrase ‘remit to’ is often used on invoices to direct the customer to the correct address to which they should send their payments. 

A remit to address, or remittance address, is used by businesses to ensure the large volume of payments or invoices they receive are organized. An alternate address ensures that these documents aren’t mixed up with the regular mail and, instead, can go to the specific department they are intended for. 

Not only does this ensure that payments are processed faster, but it also guarantees that invoices aren’t lost when traveling between departments. 

What Does 'Remit Payment To' Mean?

The phrase ‘remit payment to’ is almost always used before providing an address. If you are settling an invoice by sending cash, a check, or another form of payment, you are remitting a payment. 

Now, this payment needs to be sent to a specific remittance address. If there is no particular remittance address for a company available, contact the billing department directly via phone or email and ask to be forwarded the remittance address.

Usually, however, under the ‘remit payment to’ section of your invoice, you will see the specific remittance address where you should direct your payments. What Does a Remittance Address Look Like?

A remittance address will look just like a regular address. It may be a physical address, or a P. O. box in some cases. If the business uses a bank to process its payments, it may even be the address of a bank. A remittance address could also even be the address of a payment processing center. 

Sometimes, the remittance address will be international, but even in this case, the remittance address should resemble a normal mailing address in the recipient country. 

When searching for the remittance address, you will likely come across the corporate address of the business. But, do not send payments here unless directed to. Always search for the remit to address or the address listed under ‘remit payment to’ on your invoice. 

Ultimately, a remittance address isn’t meant to add further confusion. Instead, it’s a tool for businesses to stay organized, process their payments, and ensure that important invoices aren’t lost among the general mail they receive. 

If you own a business yourself, consider a remittance address for your company if it’s growing rapidly and the head of your billing department suggests it as an option to expedite payments.

If you’re a customer or client, double-check that you’re sending your payments to the correct address — the remittance address — and not the corporate address. 

If you haven’t been paid in a while and feel as if you followed directions correctly by sending your invoice to the remittance address, then follow up with the billing department to ensure their remittance address didn’t change or that there wasn’t another mix-up in the process.