Forms of Address

Updated August 5, 2020 | Infoplease Staff
Addressee Address Salutation
Academics, college or university    
Dean Dean Full name Dear Dean Last name
President President Full name Dear President Last name
Professor Professor Full name Dear Professor Last name
Clerical and religious orders
Archbishop, Eastern Orthodox The Most Reverend First name, Archbishop of Place name Your Eminence
Archbishop, Roman Catholic The Most Reverend Full name, Archbishop of Place name Your Excellency
Archdeacon, Episcopal The Venerable Full name, Archdeacon of Place name Dear Archdeacon Last name
Bishop, Episcopal The Right Reverend Full name, Bishop of Place name Right Reverend Sir or Dear Bishop Last name
Bishop, other Protestant The Reverend Full name Dear Bishop Last name
Bishop, Roman Catholic The Most Reverend Full name, Bishop of Place name Your Excellency or Dear Bishop Last name
Cardinal His Eminence First name Cardinal Last name Your Eminence
Clergyman/woman, Protestant The Reverend Full name or The Reverend Full name, D.D. Dear Mr./Ms. Last name or Dear Dr. Last name
Dean of a Cathedral, Episcopal The Very Reverend Full name, Dean of Place name Dear Dean Last name
Monsignor The Right Reverend Monsignor Full name Dear Monsignor
Patriarch, Greek Orthodox His All Holiness the Patriarch of Place name Your All Holiness
Patriarch, Russian Orthodox His Holiness the Patriarch of Place name Your Holiness
Pope His Holiness The Pope Your Holiness or Most Holy Father
Priest, Roman Catholic The Reverend Full name or The Reverend Full name, S.J. (or other order) Dear Reverend Father or Dear Father
Rabbi, man or woman Rabbi Full name or Rabbi Last name Dear Rabbi Last name
Ambassador, U.S. The Honorable Full name, The Ambassador of the United States Sir/Madam or Dear Mr./Madam Ambassador
Ambassador to the U.S. His/Her Excellency Full name, The Ambassador of Place name Excellency or Dear Mr./Madam Ambassador
Secretary General, United Nations His/Her Excellency Full name, Secretary General of the United Nations Dear Mr./Madam/Madame Secretary general
United Nations Representative, U.S. The Honorable Full name, United States Representative to the United Nations Sir/Madam or Dear Mr./Ms. Last name
United Nations Representative, foreign His/Her Excellency Full name, Representative of Place name to the United Nations Excellency or My dear Mr./Madam Last name
Government officials
Assemblyman/woman The Honorable Full name Dear Mr./Ms. Last name
Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court The Honorable Justice Full name Dear Sir/Madam or Justice Last name
Cabinet member The Honorable Full name, Secretary of Department name Sir/Madam or Dear Mr./Madam Secretary
Chief Justice, U.S. Supreme Court The Honorable Full name, Chief Justice of the United States Dear Mr./Madame Chief Justice
Commissioner The Honorable Full name Dear Mr./Mrs. Last name
Governor The Honorable Full name, Governor of State name Dear Governor Last name
Judge, federal The Honorable Full name, Judge, United States District Court Dear Sir/Madam or Judge Last name
Judge, state or local The Honorable Full name, Judge of the Court of Place name Dear Judge Last name
Mayor The Honorable Full name, Mayor of Place name Dear Mayor Last name
President, U.S. The President Dear Mr./Madam President
President, U.S., former The Honorable Full name Dear Mr./Madam Last name
Representative, state The Honorable Full name, State name House of Representatives Dear Mr./Ms. Last name
Representative, U.S. The Honorable Full name, United States House of Representatives Dear Mr./Mrs. Last name
Senator, state The Honorable Full name, The State Senate, State Capital Dear Senator Last name
Senator, U.S. The Honorable Full name, United States Senate Dear Senator Last name
Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives The Honorable Full name, Speaker of the House of Representatives Dear Mr./Madam Speaker
Vice President, U.S. The Vice President of the United States Sir/Madam or Dear Mr./Madam Vice President
Military and naval officers
All ranks Rank Full name, USA/USN/USCG/USAF/USMC/USPHS/NOAA Dear Rank Last name
Professions    
Attorney Mr./Ms. Full name, Attorney at law or Full name, Esq. Dear Mr./Ms. Last name
Dentist Full name, D.D.S. Dear Dr. Last name
Physician Full name, M.D. Dear Dr. Last name
Veterinarian Full name, D.V.M. Dear Dr. Last name

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