The invention is a method and system for determining an address from a print buffer stream. The method begins with initializing an address detection and determination routine, and then directing a print buffer stream to be read by the address detection and determination routine. In reading the print stream data, the application tokenizes address data resident in the print stream before comparing the tokenized data with data tables wherein each of the data tables comprises address characteristics. In making the comparison of the tokenized address data, the method then determines whether or not the tokenized address data matches a format in one of the data tables. If a match is found, then the method applies a coding scheme to the matched data. The coding scheme being determined in accordance with the matched data's corresponding data table. Matched data is coded in accordance with the coding scheme to create a coded address. If a match can not be determined, then the tokenized data is placed in a memory of the addressing system for subsequent analysis or use. Each of the data tables within the system further comprise data establishing a definition of a particular address description based on carrier requirements. Address description is further defined by country specific address requirements; which in turn further comprise: linking files for use by an addressing software application to link an applicable data table with the application for the purpose of parsing address data based upon requirements resident in the data tables; barcoding requirements; and, postal zone requirements, if any, for postal coding.