There are times when we have to make large-scale changes to postal addresses.  This may be when new building developments such as housing estates or business parks in an already densely populated area leave us no free Postcodes left to allocate.  Due to the geographical nature of the Postcode system we then consider the wider area and allocate new Postcode sectors and Postcodes.  This may also apply in the cases of demolished buildings.  

For more information about why we change Postcodes and addresses you can download our PAF Code of Practice below. This code was produced in conjuction with Consumer Focus, the independent consumer council for postal services (which used to be 'Postwatch').

Although we would like new addresses to be used straight away, we realise that this is not always possible and therefore allow a changeover period of 12 months.

This page has a shortcut: www.royalmail.com/postcodeupdates

We know it can be a pain if we allocate your address or customer's address with a new Postcode, but having up-to-date information on major Postcode and address re-allocations every six months gives you enough time to renew your data and stay ahead of the game.  This 6-monthly summary is known as a 'Postcode Update' and can help minimise the inconvenience and make sure your records are accurately addressed.  The summary of the most recent changes is in the Document Library below to download.

There are many other changes happening to addresses and Postcodes on a daily basis.  These aren’t included in Postcode Update but are incorporated along with large-scale changes into PAF.  Why not visit our PAF Quality page to find out more?

• Latest major Postcode and address changes across the UK.
• Available free to download below.

The latest Postcode Update (No 49) summarises changes from March 2009 to September 2009.  There was 1 minor locality change or correction, 2 new PO Box sectors and 2 additional non-geographic sectors. These changes are available to download from the Document Library below as a PDF Summary and as detailed Zipped Text Files.

There are no major recodes planned for the next Postcode Update in 6 months' time, which will be edition 50.

All Postcode Updates are free of charge. You can download the previous 3 Postcode Updates from our historic page.

Please note that Royal Mail has a policy of only supplying address details for the last two years, because addresses older than this can cause sorting problems in our operation.

• To open the Zip file you need to have unzipping software on your PC
• Alternatively you may email address.management@royalmail.com and ask us to send you an unzipped version