How to Address Invitations to Doctors

Use first full names instead of nicknames under proper etiquette.

When addressing invitations to a doctor for a formal event, proper etiquette is required. For a married couple, the basic rule, and one easy to remember, is to list the professional spouse first on the outside envelope. This rule applies regardless of the sex of the spouse. However, there are more particulars to consider if one spouse is a doctor and one is not, or the couple do not share a last name, for example.

Instructions

1. Address the envelope to a doctor without a spouse as follows: "Dr. Michael Smith." Make sure to use the full first name, not a nickname such as "Mike."

2. If the doctor is a man and his wife is not a doctor, address the envelope as follows: "Dr. and Mrs. Michael Smith" or "Dr. Michael Smith and Ms. Katherine Jones," if the spouse uses a different last name.

3. If the married couple are both doctors using the same last name, address the envelope: "Drs. Michael and Katherine Smith." If the wife has a different last name, address the invitation: "Dr. Katherine Jones and Dr. Michael Smith."

4. If the wife is a doctor and the husband is not, and their last names are the same, address the invitation: "Dr. Katherine Smith and Mr. Michael Smith." If the last names are different, address the envelope: "Dr. Katherine Jones and Mr. Michael Smith."

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you have the correct spelling of the first and last name of the doctor and spouse receiving the invitation.

References

• Artistic Addressing: Etiquette