Why Billing Address and ZIP Are Requested
During online payment, many services ask for a billing address and postal code (ZIP/postal code). This is part of the AVS (Address Verification System) — especially common in the US, Canada, and UK. The system compares the data you enter against what is registered with the card-issuing bank.
When Data Is Strictly Verified
- US online stores and services
- Advertising platforms (Google Ads, Meta)
- Some SaaS services with US-based billing
When Verification Is Informal
- Most European and Asian platforms
- Gaming stores (Steam, PSN, Xbox) — check the BIN country, not the address
- Most subscription services outside the US
What to Enter: Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1. Identify the Card's Issuing Country
The card's country is the country of the bank that issued it. For virtual cards through Marix, this is specified at issuance (e.g., "US card" or "EU card").
Step 2. Use the Address of the Card's Country
Enter an address matching the card's country — not your actual country of residence.
For a US card:
- Street: any real American address (e.g., a public institution's address)
- City: city name
- State: two-letter state code (NY, CA, TX, etc.)
- ZIP: 5-digit US postal code
For an EU card:
- Format depends on the country (Germany — 5 digits, France — 5 digits, etc.)
For virtual cards through exchanges:
- Ask the card provider for the billing address — it should be in the card documentation
Step 3. What to Do If the Address Is Unknown
For virtual cards through Marix, the billing address is provided at issuance. Use it exactly as specified.
If no address is provided — try the issuer's head office address (public information).
Step 4. ZIP Code
ZIP is the postal code of the billing address. For US cards — 5 digits. For cards from other countries, the format varies (e.g., UK: SW1A 1AA).
FAQ
What happens if I enter the wrong ZIP? In systems with AVS verification — the payment may be declined or flagged as suspicious. In systems without AVS — the field is filled in but not verified.
Can I leave the address field blank? Sometimes — if it's optional. But when the field is required, real data must be entered.
The card provider didn't give me a billing address — what do I do? Contact support and ask. Without a correct billing address, the card may not work on services with AVS.