How to Present My Name – In Print?

How should my name appear on my checks ‘Dr. Cynthia Brodart’ or ‘Cynthia Brodart, D.V.M.’ ?
—-—-—-– Cynthia Brodart  your signature

How do I list my name on an invitation? As ‘Kevin Millard, M.D.’ or ‘Dr. Kevin Millard’?
—-—-—-– K.M. How to Write Your Name           Your Signature

Dear Doctors: How to Write Your Name       Your Signature

—-#1) For official correspondence the official form of your name includes the post-nominals for your degree:
—-—-(Full Name), (Post nominals for your degree)
——-——Cynthia Brodart, D.V.M.
————-John Smith, C.P.A.
————-John Smith, Ph.D.
————-John Smith, RN.
——-——Kevin Millard, M.D.

Use this on checks, signage at our office, in professional listings – anything relating to your professional practice. This is also the form others use when they write to you at the office or write your name when they make out a check to you.

—-#2) The social form of your name used on social correspondence – e.g., when you are listed as the host, bride or groom on a wedding invitation or others use when they send you a personal card – is:
—-—-Dr. (Full Name)
——-—-Dr. Cynthia Brodart
——-—-Dr. Kevin Millard
——-—-Mr. John Smith

– Robert Hickey How to Write Your Name     Your Signature

Doctors present the official form of their name to the public: (Full Name) (Pertinent post-nominals for the service offered).  The social form of their name does not include their degree: Dr. (Full Name).  In both official and social salutations and conversations patients use Dr. (Name).

Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”

I’m an Official: How do I Sign my Name?

I am the mayor of our town and I would like to send out holiday cards to my neighbors as well as some constituents. How do I sign my own name as mayor?
——————– JML How to Write Your Name     Your Signature

Dear JML,
Most of my book is just how to address this or that official, but I have chapters on the rules too, and one rule is that one never gives oneself an honorific or title when presenting one’s name. I never sign my name as Mr. Robert Hickey. I just sign it Robert Hickey.

Others address me as Mr. Robert Hickey or Mr. Hickey – but I never use Mr. with my own name.

—-Same for you as a official:
—-—-Don’t use the Honorable with your own name
—-—-Don’t give yourself a title or a rank, e.g.,  Mayor, Judge, 

—-Signing a card it just your signature — you just sign your name:
—-—-(First Name)+(Last Name).

See below how some people have signed their names.

– Robert Hickey   How to Write Your Name     Your Signature

Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”

Do I Include My Degree in My Signature in a Guestbook?

When I sign a guest book at a wedding, do I sign it as:
—-Dr. Frank Anderson
—-Frank Anderson, M.D.
——–or just your signature
—-Frank Anderson?
—-—-—-—-—- – F.A. Your Signature

Dear F.A.
When you sign your name, on a letter or guest book –  just sign your name. No honorific or rank before it. No post-nominal abbreviations after it. Those are part of your name — but not your signature. Your ranks, degrees and honors might be typed on a document for you to sign over – when the situation demands it. your signature

But when you take pen in hand … it’s just your name. That’s all.

Which version of your name – formal name?  nick name? – that’s up to you. Which form of your name you write will depend on the what’s appropriate in the situation.  See below for how others have signed their names.

— Robert Hickey How to Write Your Name     Your Signature

Related Forms of Address:
–—-—Boy
–—-—Couples: Military
–—-—Couples: Private Citizens
–—-—Couples: U.S. Officials
–—-—Couple, Same Sex
–—-—Family
–—-—First Names
–—-—Girl
–—–—Man or Woman, Social
–—-—Woman, Married
–—–—Miss
–—–—Mrs. vs. Ms.
–—–—Mx.
–—-—Retiree
–—–—Spouse of an Official
–—–—Widow

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 say 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.