How to Address People Using Titles

Showing respect fosters good relationships around the world.

Many people are unfamiliar with the proper way to address a neighbor, a doctor, a government official or others to show them respect. This outward display of manners is worth learning and assimilating into everyday speech because it engenders an atmosphere of goodwill, making an interchange of ideas more readily possible.

Things You'll Need

• Etiquette book

Instructions

1. Address people formally unless you have been introduced to them on a first name basis or they have asked you to call them by their first name. Use "Hello Mr., Mrs. or Miss (last name)" when speaking and "Dear Mr., Mrs. or Miss (last name)" when writing a letter. If you do not know a person's last name, greet them with "Hello, Sir or Ma'am," which is the common abbreviated form of madam.

2. Recognize people who hold a doctorate degree by their title. "Hello, Dr. (last name)." Some physicians prefer to be addressed by their title followed by their first name, such as "Dr. Bob." Include a title for college professors prior to their last name, too. "Good evening, Professor Smith," for example.

3. Greet judges with their title followed by the last name. Male judges should be addressed as "Justice (last name)" or "Judge (last name)." Female judges should be addressed as "Madam Justice (last name)" or "Judge (last name)." When writing to judges, the envelope and inside address should read, "The Honorable (first and last name)," followed by their position such as, "Chief Judge," "Associate Judge," or "Bankruptcy Judge."

4. Address the President of the United States as "Mr. President" or "Madam President" when speaking or writing a letter. Close the letter with "Respectfully," sign your first and last name, and address the envelope, "The President, The White House, Washington, DC 20500." Former presidents of the country are simply addressed as "Mr. (last name)," but the envelope of a letter to them should read "The Honorable (first and last name)."

5. Greet a United States Senator as "Senator (last name)," and a United States Representative as "Mr., Mrs. or Miss (last name)" when speaking or writing a letter. When addressing an envelope, however, refer to either position as "The Honorable (first and last name)." Letters to senators are addressed to United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510. Letters to representatives are addressed to United States House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515

6. Address state governors as "Governor (last name)" when speaking to them and Dear Governor (last name) when to them. The envelope should read, "The Honorable (first and last name), Governor of (state)," followed by the address. The mayor of a town or city can be verbally addressed in three proper ways: "Mayor (last name);" "Mr. or Madam Mayor;" or "Your Honor." The salutation of a letter should read, "Dear Mayor (last name)," and envelopes are addressed to "The Honorable (first and last names), City Hall," followed by the address.

References

• English Club: "What Should I Call You?" How to Address People in English
• Library Online: Addressing People of Title
• Cool Fire Technology: Spoken and Written Forms of Address for U.S. Government Officials, Military Personnel, Foreign Officials, Nobility, and Religious Officials