How to Address U.S. Government Officials
President of the United States
Letter Address
The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Salutation
Dear Mr. / Madam President:
Conversation
Mr. / Madam President
Sir / Ma’am
Introduction
The President
The President of the United States (outside the U.S.A.)
Letter Address
The Honorable (Full Name)
Address
Salutation
Dear Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. (Surname):
Conversation
First: Mr. President
Then: Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Last Name
Introduction
The Honorable Full Name, the (Numerical Sequence of Service) President of the United States
Letter Address
Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. (Full Name)
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Salutation
Dear Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. (Last Name)
Conversation
Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. (Surname)
Introduction
Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. (Surname)
The Vice President
Letter Address
The Vice President
Old Executive Office Building
Washington, DC 20501
Salutation
Dear Mr. / Madam Vice President:
Spoken Greeting
Mr. / Madam Vice President
Sir / Ma’am
Introduction
The Vice President
The Vice President of the United States (Outside the US)
Members of the Cabinet
Letter Address
The Honorable (Surname)
Secretary of (Department))
Address
Salutation
Dear Mr. / Madam Secretary
Conversation
Mr. / Madam Secretary
Secretary (Surname)
Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. (Surname)
Introduction
The Honorable (Full Name), The Secretary of _________ of the United States
The Secretary of ________
Attorney General
Letter Address
The Honorable (Surname)
The Attorney General
Address
Salutation
Dear Mr. / Ms. / Madam Attorney General:
Conversation
Mr. / Ms. / Madam Attorney General
Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. (Surname)
Introduction
The Attorney General
The Chief Justice
Letter Address
The Chief Justice
The Supreme Court
Address
Salutation
Dear Chief Justice:
Conversation
Mr. / Madam Chief Justice
Chief Justice
Formal Introduction
The Honorable Full Name, The Chief Justice of the United States
The Chief Justice
Chief Justice Last Name
Associate Justice
Letter Address
Justice (Surname)
The Supreme Court
Address
Salutation
Dear Justice (Surname):
Conversation
Justice (Surname)
Justice
Introduction
The Honorable (Full Name), Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
Justice (Surname)
Federal Judge
Letter Address
The Honorable Full Name
(Name of Specific Court)
Address
Salutation
Dear Judge Last Name:
Conversation
Judge (Surname)
Introduction
The Honorable Full Name
Mr. / Madam Justice Last Name
Judge Last Name
US Senator
Letter Address
The Honorable Full Name
United States Senate
Address
Salutation
Dear Senator (Surname):
Conversation
Senator (Surname)
Senator
Introduction
The Honorable (Full Name) Senator for (State)
Senator (Surname)
US Representative
Letter Address
The Honorable (Full Name)
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC
Salutation
Dear Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. (Surname):
Dear Representative (Surname):
Dear Congressman/Congresswoman (Surname):
Conversation
Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. (Surname)
Representative (Surname)
Congressman/Congresswoman (Surname)
Introduction
The Honorable (Full Name), Representative for (State)
… Congressman for (State)
… Congresswoman for (State)
Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”
When Should You Use the Forms on this Page?
You can use these forms of address for any mode of communication: addressing a letter, invitation, card or Email. (If there are differences between the official and social forms of address, I will have mentioned the different forms.) The form noted in the salutation is the same form you use when you say their name in conversation or when you greet them.
___What I don’t cover on this site are many things I do cover in my book: all the rules of forms of address, about names, international titles, precedence, complimentary closes, details on invitations, place cards, all sorts of introductions, etc. I hope you’ll get a copy of the book if you’d like the further detail.
Not Finding Your Answer?
—-#1) At right on desktops, at the bottom of every page on tablets and phones, is a list of all the offices, officials & topics covered on the site.
—-#2) If you don’t see the official you seek included or your question answered send me an e-mail. I am pretty fast at sending a reply: usually the next day or so (unless I am traveling.) Note: I don’t have mailing or Email addresses for any of the officials and I don’t keep track of offices that exist only in history books.
—-#3) If I think your question is of interest to others, Sometimes I post the question – but always change all the specifics.
— Robert Hickey
Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”
Recommended Resources: The Protocol School of Washington (PSOW) and Protocol and Diplomacy International – Protocol Officers Association (PDI-POA) For more information see the Protocol Resources page.