Spoken and Written Forms of Address for U.S.

Government Officials, Military Personnel, Foreign

Officials, Nobility, and Religious Officials
This section provides the correct forms of address for U.S. Public officials, diplomats,
religious leaders, royalty, the British peerage, and military personnel. For each personage
the chart gives the appropriate form or forms to be used in addressing letters, in letter
salutations, in direct conversation, and in more formal introductions.
In diplomatic and other public circles, "Sir" is generally considered an acceptable
alternative to the formal address in both written and spoken greetings; this does not apply to
religious or titled persons. The use of "Madam" or "Ma'am" for a female addressee is less
customary but still acceptable, especially for high officeholders ("Madam Governor"). This
rule also holds for high officials of foreign countries.
For greetings in which "Mr." is used, the feminine equivalent may be "Madam" or, less
formally, "Mrs.," "Miss," or "Ms." Although there is no formal rule for the use of "Ms.,"
the preference of the addressee should be respected.

Person

Letter Address

Letter Greeting

The President
President of the United The White House Dear Mr. (or
States
Washington, DC Madam) President
20500

Spoken
Greeting

Formal
Introduction

Mr. (or
Madam)
President

The President or the

President of the
United States
The Honorable John
J. Jones

Former President

The Honorable
John J. Jones
Current address

Dear Mr. (Mrs.,

Ms.) Jones

Mr. (or Mrs.,

Ms.) Jones

Vice President

The Vice
President
Executive Office
Building
Washington, DC
20501

Dear Mr. (or

Madam) Vice
President

Mr. (or
The Vice President
Madam) Vice or the Vice President
of the United States
President

Cabinet members

The Honorable
John (or Jane)
Dear Mr. (or
Jones
Madam) Secretary
The Secretary of
____________ or

Mr. (or
Madam)
Secretary

The Secretary of
_________________

The Attorney
General
Washington, DC

Chief Justice

The Chief Justice

The Supreme
Court
Washington, DC
20543

Dear Mr. (or

Madam) Justice or
Dear Mr. (or
Madam) Chief
Justice

Associate Justice

Mr. Justice Jones

or Madam Justice
Jones
Dear Mr. (or
The Supreme
Madam) Justice
Court
Washington, DC
20543

Mr. Justice or
Mr. Justice
Jones; Madam Mr. Justice Jones;
Justice or
Madam Justice Jones
Madam
Justice Jones

United States Senator

The Honorable
John (or Jane)
Jones
United States
Senate
Washington, DC
20510

Dear Senator Jones

Senator Jones

Senator Jones from

Nebraska

Speaker of the House

The Honorable
John (or Jane)
Jones
Speaker of the
House of
Representatives
United States
House of
Representatives
Washington, DC
20515

Dear Mr. (or

Madam) Speaker

Mr. Speaker;
Madam
Speaker

The Speaker of the

House of
Representatives

United States
Representative

The Honorable
John (or Jane)
Jones
United States
House of
Representatives
Washington, DC
20515

Dear Mr. (or Mrs.,

Ms.) Jones

Mr. (or Mrs.,

Ms.) Jones

Representative Jones
from New Jersey

United Nations
Ambassador

The Honorable John Dear Mr. (or

(or Jane) Jones
Madam)

Mr. (or
Madam)
Chief Justice

The Chief Justice

The United States

Ambassador to the

U.S. Ambassador to Ambassador

the United Nations
United Nations
Plaza
New York, NY
10017

United Nations

Ambassador

The Honorable
John (or Jane)
Jones
Dear Mr. (or
Ambassador of
Madam)
the United States
Ambassador
American
Embassy
Address goes here

Mr. (or
Madam)
Ambassador

The American
Ambassador
The Ambassador of
The United States of
America

Consul-General

The Honorable
John (or Jane)
Jones
Dear Mr. (or Mrs.,
American Consul Ms.) Jones
General
Address goes here

Mr. (or Mrs.,

Ms.) Jones

Mr. (or Mrs., Ms.)

Jones

Foreign Ambassador

His (or Her)

Excellency John
(or Jean) Johnson Excellency or Dear
The Ambassador Mr. (or Madam)
Ambassador
of
______________
Address goes here

Excellency; or
Mr. (or
The Ambassador of
Madam)
_______________
Ambassador

Secretary-General of
the United Nations

His (or Her)

Excellency Milo
(or Mara) Jones
Secretary-General
Dear Mr.(or
of the United
Madam) SecretaryNations
General
United Nations
Plaza
New York, NY
10017

Mr. (or
Madam)
SecretaryGeneral

The SecretaryGeneral of the

United Nations

Governor

The Honorable
John (or Jane)
Jones
Dear Governor
Governor of
Jones
______________
State Capitol
Address goes here

Governor or
Governor
Jones

The Governor of
Maine: Governor
Jones of Maine

State legislators

The Honorable
John (or Jane)
Dear Mr. (Or Mrs. , Mr. (Or Mrs., Mr. (Or Mrs., Ms.)
Jones
Ms.) Jones
Ms.) Jones
Jones
Address goes here

Judges

The Honorable
John J. Jones
Justice, Appellate
Division
Dear Judge Jones
Supreme Court of
the State of
______________
Address goes here

Justice or
Judge Jones;
Madam
Justice or
Judge Jones

Mayor

The Honorable
John (or Jane)
Jones; His (or
Dear Mayor Jones
Her) Honor the
Mayor
City Hall
Address goes here

Mayor Jones;
Mr. (Or
Mayor Jones; The
Madam)
Mayor
Mayor; Your
Honor

The Pope

His Holiness, the

Pope or His
Holiness, Pope
John XII
Vatican City
Rome, Italy

Your Holiness His Holiness, the

or Most Holy Holy Father; the
Father
Pope; the Pontiff

Cardinals

His Eminence,
John Cardinal
Jones, Archbishop Your Eminence of
Dear Cardinal Jones
of
______________
Address goes here

Bishops

The Most
Your
Reverend John
Your Excellency or Excellency or
Jones, Bishop (or
Dear Bishop
Bishop
Archbishop) of
(Archbishop) Jones (Archbishop)
______________
Jones
Address goes here

Monsignor

The Reverend
Reverend
Monsignor James
Monsignor or Dear
Harding
Monsignor
Address goes here

Monsignor
Harding or
Monsignor

Monsignor Harding

Priest

The Reverend
John Jones

Father or
Father Jones

Father Jones

Your Holiness or
Most Holy Father

Reverend Father or
Dear Father Jones

Your
Eminence or
Cardinal
Jones

The Honorable John

(or Jane) Jones; Mr.
Justice Jones or
Judge Jones; Madam
Justice Jones or
Judge Jones

His Eminence,
Cardinal Jones

Address goes here

Brother

Brother John or
Brother John
Dear Brother John
Jones
or Dear Brother
Address goes here

Sister

Sister Mary
Marshall

Protestant Clergy

The Reverend
John (or Jane)
Jones*

Brother John
or Brother

Brother John

Dear Sister Mary

Marshall or Dear
Sister

Sister Mary
Marshall or
Sister

Sister Mary Marshall

Dear Dr. (or Mr.,

Ms.) Jones

Dr. (or Mr.,

Ms.) Jones

The Reverend (or

Dr.) John Jones

Bishop (Episcopal)

The Right
Reverend John
Jones*
Dear Bishop Jones
Bishop of
__________
Address goes here

Bishop Jones

The Right Reverend

John Jones, Bishop
of Detroit

Rabbi

Rabbi Arthur (or

Dear Rabbi
Anne) Schwartz
Schwartz
Address goes here

Rabbi
Schwartz or
Rabbi

Rabbi Arthur
Schwartz

King or Queen

His (Her) Majesty

King (Queen)
___________
Address (letters
Your Majesty; Sir
traditionally are
or Madam
sent to reigning
monarchs not
directly but via
the private
secretary)

Varies
depending on
titles,
holdings, etc.

Other royalty

His (Her) Royal

Highness, the
Prince (Princess) Your Royal
of
Highness
_______________
Address goes here

His (Her) Royal

Your Royal
Highness, the Duke
Highness; Sir
(Duchess) of
or Madam
Gloucester

Duke/Duchess

My Lord Duke/
His/Her Grace,
Madam or Dear
His/Her Grace, the
the D
Your Grace or
Duke of
Duke/Duchess of
____________ of
Duke/Duchess
____________/Dear
Bridgeport
____________
Duchess

Marquess/Marchioness The Most

My Lord/Madam or Lord/Lady

Lord/Lady

Honorable the M
_____________
of Bridgeport

Dear Lord/Lady
Bridgeport

Bridgeport

Bridgeport

Earl

The Right
Honorable the
Earl of Franklin

My Lord or Dear
Lord Franklin

Lord Franklin Lord Franklin

Countess (wife of an
earl)

The Right
Honorable the
Countess of
Franklin

Madam or Dear
Lady Franklin

Lady Franklin Lady Franklin

Viscount/Viscountess

The Right
Honorable the V
_____________
Tyburn

My Lord/Lady or
Dear Lord/Lady
Tyburn

Lord/Lady
Tyburn

Lord/Lady Tyburn

Baron/Baroness

The Right
My Lord/Madam or
Lord/Lady
Honorable
Dear Lord/Lady
Austin
Lord/Lady Austin Austin

Lord/Lady Austin

Baronet

Sir John Jones, Bt.

Dear Sir or Dear Sir

Sir John
John

Sir John Jones

Wife of Baronet

Lady Jones

Dear Madam or
Dear Lady Jones

Lady Jones

Knight

Sir John Jones

Dear Sir or Dear Sir

Sir John
John

Wife of knight

Dear Madam or
Dear Lady Jones

Lady Jones

Military Personnel

For commissioned officers in the U.S. Armed services, the full rank is used as
a title only in addressing letters and in formal introductions: one writes to
Major General Sarah Miller, U.S. Army, and introduces her as Major General
Miller. In greetings the full rank is shortened to General: "Dear General
Miller." Similar acceptable shortened greetings follow categorized by full rank
then greetings :

Army, Air Force,

Marines

General of the Army

Lieutenant General
Brigadier General
Lieutenant Colonel
First Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant

General
General
General
Colonel
Lieutenant
Lieutenant

Navy, Coast Guard

Fleet Admiral
Vice Admiral
Rear Admiral
Lieutenant Commander

Admiral
Admiral
Admiral
Commander

Lady Jones

Sir John Jones

Lady Jones

Lieutenant, Junior Grade

Lieutenant

For enlisted personnel, a similar principle applies. Sergeants -- whether staff

sergeants, gunnery sergeants, or first sergeants -- are greeted simply as
"Sergeant"; privates first class are referred to as "Private"; and, in the Navy
and Coast Guard, chief petty officers are referred to as "Chief." Other
noncommissioned officers are greeted by their ranks, although, informally,
lower grades may be referred to generically as "Soldier" or "Sailor."
The universal terms of respect that lower ranks must use when addressing
senior officers are "Sir" and "Madam." These terms are not applied to
noncommissioned officers, however; the appropriate affirmative response to a
sergeant, for example, is "Yes, Sergeant."
*If the cleric holds a doctorate in divinity, it is customary to add the designation D.D. after
his or her name in the letter address.
US Government

The President
Letter Address
The President
The White House
Salutation
Dear Mr. / Madam President:
Spoken Greeting
First: Mr. / Madam President
Then: Sir / Ma'am
Formal Introduction
The President of the United States (of America- when abroad)
The President
President Last Name

Former President

Letter Address
The Honorable Full Name
Address
Salutation
Dear Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Last Name:
Spoken Greeting
First: Mr. President
Then: Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Last Name
Formal Introduction
The Honorable Full Name, the former President of the United States

The President's Spouse

Letter Address
Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Full Name
The White House
Salutation
Dear Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Last Name:
Spoken Greeting
Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Last Name
Formal Introduction
Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Last Name

The Vice President

Letter Address
The Vice President

The White House

Salutation
Dear Mr. / Madam Vice President:
Spoken Greeting
First: Mr. / Madam Vice President
Then: Sir / Ma'am
Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Last Name
Formal Introduction
The Vice President of the United States
The Vice President
Vice President Last Name

Cabinet Members
Letter Address
The Honorable Full Name
Secretary of (Department)
Department of __________
Address
Salutation
Dear Mr. / Madam Secretary
Spoken Greeting
Mr. / Madam Secretary
Secretary Last Name
Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Last Name

Formal Introduction
The Honorable Full Name, The Secretary of _________ of the United States
The Secretary of ________

Attorney General
Letter Address
The Honorable Full Name
The Attorney General
Address
Salutation
Dear Mr. / Ms. / Madam Attorney General:
Spoken Greeting
Mr. / Ms. / Madam Attorney General
Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Last Name
Formal Introduction
The Attorney General

The Chief Justice

Letter Address
The Chief Justice
The Supreme Court
Address
Salutation
Dear Mr. / Madam Chief Justice:
Spoken Greeting

Mr. / Madam Chief Justice

Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Last Name
Formal Introduction
The Honorable Full Name, The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
The Chief Justice
Chief Justice Last Name

Associate Justice
Letter Address
Justice Last Name
The Supreme Court
Address
Salutation
Dear Justice Last Name:
Spoken Greeting
Mr. / Madam Justice
Justice Last Name
Formal Introduction
The Honorable Full Name, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
Justice Last Name

Federal Judge
Letter Address
The Honorable Full Name
U.S. Court of _______

Address
Salutation
Dear Judge Last Name:
Spoken Greeting
Justice or Judge Last Name
Madam Justice or Judge Last Name
Formal Introduction
The Honorable Full Name
Mr. / Madam Justice Last Name
Judge Last Name

Senator
Letter Address
The Honorable Full Name
United States Senate
Washington, DC
or district office address
Salutation
Dear Senator Last Name:
Spoken Greeting
Senator Last Name
Then: Senator, Sir / Ma'am
Formal Introduction
The Honorable Senator Last Name, Senator from State

Senator Last Name

Representative
Letter Address
The Honorable Full Name
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC
or district office address
Salutation
Dear Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Last Name:
Spoken Greeting
Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Last Name
Formal Introduction
The Honorable Last Name, Representative from State
Congressman / Congresswoman Last Name
Diplomatic

American Ambassador
Letter Address:
The Honorable Full Name
Ambassador of the United States
American Embassy
Address
Salutation
Dear Mr. / Madam Ambassador:

Spoken Greeting
Mr. / Madam Ambassador
Formal Introduction
The Honorable Full Name, Ambassador of the United States of America (at post)
(when not at post add: to County)
Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Full Name, Ambassador of the United States of America
American Ambassador (when no foreign nationals are present, add: to Country)
Ambassador Last Name, United States of America

Foreign Ambassador
Letter Address
His / Her Excellency Full Name
The Ambassador of ________
The Embassy of ________
Address
Salutation
Excellency: or,
Dear Mr. / Madam Ambassador:
Spoken Greeting
Excellency
Mr. / Madam Ambassador
Formal Introduction
His / Her Excellency, the Honorable Full Name, Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of _______
The Ambassador of _______

State

Governor
Letter Address:
The Honorable Full Name
Governor of State
Address
Salutation
Dear Governor Last Name:
Spoken Greeting
First: Governor Last Name
Governor
Then: Sir / Ma'am
Formal Introduction
The Honorable Full Name, Governor of the state of ______
Governor Last Name
The Governor

State Legislator
Letter Address
The Honorable Full Name
Address
Salutation
Dear Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Last Name:
Spoken Greeting

Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Last Name

Formal Introduction
Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Last Name

Mayor
Letter Address
The Honorable Full Name
Mayor of City
Address
Salutation
Dear Mayor Last Name:
Spoken Greeting
Mayor Last Name
Mr. / Madam Mayor
Your Honor
Formal Introduction
The Honorable Full Name, Mayor of City (or, of the city of _______)
Mayor Last Name
Religious Dignitaries

Protestant Clergy
Letter Address
The Reverend Full Name
Name of church
Address

Salutation
Dear Reverend Last Name:
Spoken Greeting
Reverend Last Name
Formal Introduction
The Reverend Full Name

Protestant Clergy, with doctorate

Letter Address
The Reverend Full Name, D.D.
Name of church
Address
Salutation
Dear Dr. Last Name:
Spoken Greeting
Dr. Last Name
Formal Introduction
Dr. Full Name
The Reverend Doctor Full Name

Episcopal Bishop
Letter Address
The Right Reverend Full Name (academic degrees)
Bishop of ______
Address

Salutation
Dear Bishop Last Name:
Spoken Greeting
Bishop Last Name
Formal Introduction
The Right Reverend Full Name, The Bishop of ______

The Pope
Letter Address
His Holiness, Pope Papal Name
Vatican City, Italy
Salutation
Your Holiness:
Most Holy Father:
Spoken Greeting
Your Holiness
Most Holy Father
Formal Introduction
His Holiness, Pope ______
The Holy Father
The Pope
The Pontiff

Cardinal
Letter Address

His Eminence, First Name Cardinal Last Name

Archbishop of _______
Address
Salutation
Your Eminence:
Dear Cardinal Last Name:
Spoken Greeting
Your Eminence
Cardinal Last Name
Formal Introduction
His Eminence, Cardinal Last Name

Roman Catholic Bishop

Letter Address
The Most Reverend Full Name
Bishop / Archbishop of ______
Address
Salutation
Your Excellency:
Most Reverend Sir:
Dear Bishop / Archbishop Last Name:
Spoken Greeting
Your Excellency
Bishop / Archbishop Last Name

Formal Introduction
His Excellency
Bishop / Archbishop Last Name

Monsignor
Letter Address
The Right Reverend Monsignor Full Name
Address
Salutation
Reverend Monsignor:
Dear Monsignor Last Name:
Spoken Greeting
Monsignor Last Name
Monsignor
Formal Introduction
Monsignor Last Name

Roman Catholic Priest

Letter Address
The Reverend Full Name
Address
Salutation
Reverend Father:
Dear Father Last Name:
Spoken Greeting

Father Last Name

Father
Formal Introduction
The Reverend Last Name
Father Last Name

Roman Catholic Mother Superior

Letter Address
The Reverend Mother Full Name, intials of order
Address
Salutation
Dear Reverend Mother (Last Name):
Spoken Greeting
Reverend Mother
Formal Introduction
Reverend Mother Last Name

Roman Catholic Nun

Letter Address
Sister Full Name, initials of order if used
Address
Salutation
Dear Sister Name / Last Name:
Spoken Greeting
Sister Name / Last Name

Sister
Formal Introduction
Sister Name / Last Name

Roman Catholic Brother

Letter Address
Brother Given Name (Last Name), initials of order, if used
Address
Salutation
Dear Brother Given Name:
Spoken Greeting
Brother Given Name
Brother
Formal Introduction
Brother Given Name

Mormon
Letter Address
Mr. Full Name
President of ______ Temple
Address
Salutation
Dear Mr. Last Name:
Spoken Greeting
Mr. Last Name

Formal Introduction
Mr. Last Name, the President of ______ Temple

Imam
Letter Address
The Imam Name
Address
Salutation
Dear Imam Name:
Spoken Greeting
Imam Name
Formal Introduction
The Imam of the _______ Mosque / Islamic Center

Rabbi
Letter Address
Rabbi Full Name (academic degrees)
Address
Salutation
Dear Rabbi Last Name:
Dear Rabbi:
Spoken Greeting
Rabbi Last Name
Dr. Last Name (if holds a degree)
Rabbi

Formal Introduction
Rabbi Last Name, of Name of Temple / Congregation

Cantor
Letter Address
Cantor Full Name
Address
Salutation
Dear Cantor Last Name
Spoken Greeting
Cantor Last Name
Formal Introduction
Cantor Last Name, of Name of Temple / Congregation
Other Professionals

Attorney
Letter Address
Full Name, Esq. (or J.D., if held)
or Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Full Name
Address
Salutation
Dear Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Last Name:
Spoken Greeting
Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Last Name
Formal Introduction

Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Last Name

University Professor
Letter Address
Professor Full Name
or Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Full Name (or Dr., if held)
Address
Salutation
Dear Professor:
Dear Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Last Name: (or Dr., if held)
Spoken Greeting
Professor or Dr. Last Name
Formal Introduction
Professor or Dr. Last Name

Physician
Letter Address
Full Name, M.D.
or Dr. Full Name
Address
Salutation
Dear Dr. Last Name:
Spoken Greeting
Dr. Last Name
Formal Introduction

Dr. Last Name

Dentist
Letter Address
Full Name, D.D.S.
or Dr. Full Name
Address
Salutation:
Dear Dr. Last Name:
Spoken Greeting
Dr. Last Name
Formal Introduction
Dr. Last Name