PAF File Structure - Surname Example

Royal Mail Certified Partner PAF comes as a RAW formatted file. The file requires a great deal of manipulation and correction before it can be released to end users in a structure that makes sense. After several weeks of processing we release the file to our end user customers in a structure that can easily be used in their applications. The main fields are:

- Organisation name	- Street
- Department Name	- Double Dependent Locality
- PO Box	- Dependent Locality
- Building Name	- Post Town
- Sub Building Name	- Postcode
- Thoroughfare	- Postcode Type *****
*****Signifies address has an organisation associated with it "S"=small user "L"=large user

Example:

Field on PAF	Fictional Surname Example
Sub Building	(SMITH)*
Building	ROSE COTTAGE
Building Name	**
PO BOX	***
Thoroughfare	PACKHOUSE LANE
Post Town	BIRMINGHAM
Postcode	B39 0DH

You won’t find the names of private individuals on PAF, except in instances where he only method of identifying a Delivery Point. Any surnames on PAF will be in brackets (-) in the building or Sub Building name fields. Business Only ***** PO BOX are all classified as Large User Postcodes.

PAF Layouts Examples

Data Record / Field Layout Table;
Organisation Layout Example
Residential Layout Example
Surname Layout Example