How to Format a Letter to the President

Formatting a letter to the President is not much different than formatting a formal business letter.

Letters addressed to the President of the United States of America do not require a specific format, but there is specific information which should be included in your letter to ensure that responses to your correspondence are properly addressed. The format of the letter should follow the basic business letter format to include a date, audience address, introduction, supporting information, summary, signature remark and signature block. You should also include your address, phone number, email address and business name, if applicable.

Instructions

1. Enter the date of drafting on the top line of your letter. Press the return button twice or leave a blank line after the date.

2. Enter the address of the recipient in proper U.S. Postal Service format. Letters should be addressed to:

   President Barack Obama

   The White House

   1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

   Washington, DC 20500

   Leave a blank line after the recipient information.

3. Write a salutation. Salutations can range in level of formality from Dear President Obama to Mr. Obama. Avoid familiar salutations such as Hello, Barack. A colon should be used after the chosen salutation. Leave a blank line after the recipient information.

4. Draft a short introductory paragraph that briefly explains the main point of the letter. Leave a blank line after the introductory paragraph.

5. Draft as many summary paragraphs as needed to fully expand on the main purpose of your letter. Provide background information, statistics or other supporting information that is relevant to the topic. Separate each paragraph with a blank line.

6. Draft a closing paragraph that summarizes the content of the letter and specifies the response or action that the writer is requesting from the recipient. Leave a blank line after the closing paragraph.

7. Choose a closing signature remark. "Sincerely" is one of the most widely chosen signature remarks due to the formality level. Insert a comma after the salutation and leave the next four lines blank.

8. Enter the address of the writer in proper U.S. Postal Service Format. Include your name, business name if applicable, address, phone number and email address.

9. Sign your letter in the four blank lines under the signature remark and prepare your letter for posting.

Tips & Warnings

• All formal correspondence should include an original signature executed in blue or black ink. Have a neutral third party review your letter to ensure correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, flow and intelligibility of your correspondence. Ensure that your contact information is correct to avoid any delays in response.

• Formal correspondence which has errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, flow or intelligibility may not be given the same amount of attention as more polished letters. Remember to be polite when you write your letter for better reception.

References

• The White House: Contact the White House
• Business Letter Format: Business Letter Format