One way to search when you don’t know the exact or entire string you are searching for is to use wildcards. This can be used in any text search field (individual name, company name, address, etc). The wildcard character in the ALTA Registry is the percent sign (%). You can place a % anywhere in the search string and the ALTA Registry will perform the search as requested. Example wildcard searches are listed below for your reference:
String
Search instruction
%y%
search for anything containing a y *
y%
search for anything beginning with the letter y
%y
search for anything that ends with the letter y
%y%x%
search for anything containing a y and x in that order, possibly with other letters in between the y and x
%y%x
search for anything containing a y and ending with an x
y%x%
search for anything beginning with the letter y and containing an x
y%x
search for anything beginning with the letter y and ending with the letter x
* This is the default format for the Contains search (you do not need to enter the wildcard)
A search can be performed only on ALTA ID, company legal entity or DBA name. Searches based on ALTA ID are always exact match. See advanced search for additional options
An advanced search can be performed using Company or Real Estate Attorney Name, ALTA ID, City, State and Province. Searches by ALTA ID, City, State and Province are always exact match.
Delivery Point Validation (DPV®) is a process which checks an address, down to the suite or apartment number, against a data file maintained by the United States Postal Service (USPS®). The process ensures that the address is properly formatted and is a valid address for delivery of mail by the USPS®. The process returns a 2-digit delivery point number and a 1-digit check digit. The delivery point number corresponds to a specific delivery point numbered 00 through 99 within the ZIP + 4. Here are some possible results:
If the delivery point number is NA and the check digit is N, the address is physically valid, but not considered deliverable according to the USPS®. A delivery point number cannot be found. ALTA considers this to be a valid address.
If the delivery point number is 99 and the check digit is 9, the address is physically valid and deliverable, but may need refinement with an apartment or suite number.
If the delivery point number and check digit display any other numeric values, the address is considered to be physically valid and deliverable by the USPS®.
The ALTA ID is referenced in the most current MISMO® Schema.