What goes on the inner and outer envelope. Addressing Clergy, Politicians and Military. IT’S ALL HERE! | ||
ADDRESSING … |
After many years I’ve developed my preferred forms of address and that is what is listed below
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What goes on the: | OUTSIDE ENVELOPE | INSIDE ENVELOPE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Married Couple | Sherri and Steven Smith (woman is listed first, man’s first and last name stay together Mr. and Mrs. Steven Smith Ms. Sherri and Mr. Steven Smith (man’s first and last name stay together) Ms. Sherri Davis and Mr. Steven Smith (married with different last names) |
Sherri and Steven Mr. and Mrs. Smith Ms. and Mr. Smith Ms Doe and Mr. Smith |
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Married Couple Children under 13 |
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Smith | Mr. and Mrs. Smith Rachel and Alex |
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Married Couple Children over 13 |
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Smith (Children over 18 may receive a separate invitation) |
Mr. and Mrs. Smith Miss or Ms. Rachel Smith Mr. Alex Smith |
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Brothers or Sisters at same address |
Messrs. Alex and Stuart Smith Misses Rachel and Nancy Smith Ms. Rachel Smith and Ms. Nancy Smith |
The Messrs. Smith The Misses Smith Ms. Smith and Ms. Smith |
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Divorced Woman or separated |
Ms. Audrey Miller Mrs. Audrey Miller Ms. Audrey Smith (maiden name restored) |
Ms. Miller Mrs. Audrey Miller Ms. Smith |
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Widow | Mrs. John Miller (if recent widow) Mrs. Audrey Miller Ms. Audrey Miller |
Mrs. Miller Mrs. Miller Ms. Miller |
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Jr. or junior | Mr. Steven Smith, Jr. (use comma with abbrev.) or Mr. Steven Smith junior (junior is lower case and spelled out) |
Mr. Smith | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
II, III | Mr. Steven Smith III | Mr. Smith | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Married couple both Doctors |
The Doctors Smith Doctors Sherri and Steven Smith Dr. Sherri Davis and Dr. Steven Smith Dr. Sherri and Mr. Steven Smith |
The Doctors Smith Dr. Davis and Dr. Smith |
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Wife only has title | Dr. Sherri and Mr. Steven Smith | Dr. Smith and Mr. Smith | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wife uses maiden name |
Ms. Sherri Davis and Mr. Steven Smith |
Ms. Davis and Mr. Smith | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Two unmarrieds living together as a couple |
Ms. Sherri Davis Mr. Steven Smith Mr. Michael Davis Mr. Steven Smith |
Ms. Davis Mr. SmithMr. Davis Mr. Smith |
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Single person and Guest |
Ms. Jamie Smith | Ms. Smith and Guest | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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“The Honorable” may be used to address: Cabinet Members; Presidential Assistants; Ambassadors; Judges; All members of Congress; Heads, Assistant Heads and Commissioners of US Government Agencies; Governor and Lieutenant Governor; Secretary of State, Chief Justice and Attorney General of a State; State Treasurer; Comptroller, Auditor, State Representative; Assemblyman or Delegate; Mayor; Members of City Council; Commissioners; etc. |
(woman) | The Honorable and Mrs. Steven Smith The Honorable Sherri and Mr. Steven Smith |
…If you are using first names, the woman comes first and the man’s first and last name stay together.
…If you are using titles, the person with the title is listed first.
…If only one of the two unmarried names lives at that address, that person is listed first.
…If one person is invited to the event and the other is their guest or escort,
the person you know is listed first.
…If you are addressing two men or two women,
you might list names in alphabetical order.
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addressing THE PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES
The President and Mrs. Smith
(woman) The President and Mr. Steven Smith (2)
The White House, Washington, D.C. 20500
The White House will send you an official greeting.
Colleges | President (or Chancellor) and Mrs. Steven Smith Dr. and Mrs. Steven Smith |
(woman) | Dr. Sherri and Mr. Steven Smith Dean (or Dr.) and Mrs. Steven Smith |
(woman) | Dean (or Dr.) Sherri and Mr. Steven Smith |
MILITARY TITLES
(title) | Lieutenant and Mrs. Steven Smith |
(woman) | Lieutenant Sherri and Mr. Steven Smith |