A method and system are disclosed for formatting address strings into a recognizable sequence of token types for database processing. The system includes a token rule processor and a token sequence processor. The method begins with the step of assigning token types to components of an address string to form a sequence of token types. The method next includes the step of determining whether or not the sequence of token types is contained in an adjustable predetermined rule table. The method further includes the step of processing the sequence of token types into a recognizable sequence format if the sequence of token types is contained in the rule table. Finally, the method concludes with the step of processing the sequence of token types into a recognizable sequence format in accordance with a predetermined interpretation procedure if the sequence of token types is not contained in the rule table.