Salutations for Government Officials

It is very important that you use the correct salutations for government officials, as they hold a very important position, and you would not want to offend anyone. The following article will provide you with a fair idea about the correct use of words in your letter.

We need to contact a government official in times of dilemma, and the best possible way to get our grievances addressed is by writing a letter. While writing one, it is very important that you use proper language, and address the officials with proper words of honor.

These formal letters are to be written in a proper format, and you just can’t begin the letter with a simple “Hello” or “Dear Mr. Smith”. These officials, Congressmen, military officers, etc. hold a very important post. They need to be respected and addressed using the proper salutations. You may even be writing to the Reverend Father of your community, and need to address him with proper greetings. This is not only polite but also shows respect on your part. You need to write the letter as legibly as possible, and sound courteous and reasonable. You should also identify yourself by giving your full name, address, district, county, or community, if applicable.

Greetings Used

Name of Government Official	Salutation
President of the United States	Dear Sir or Madam; Mr. President or Madam President; Dear Mr. President or Dear Madam President
Former President	Dear Mr. (Mrs., Ms.) last name
Vice President	Dear Sir or Madam; Mr. Vice President or Madam Vice President; Dear Mr. Vice President or Dear Madam Vice President
Cabinet Members	Dear Mr. (or Madam) Secretary last name
Chief Justice	Dear Mr. (or Madam) Justice last name or Dear Mr. (or Madam) Chief Justice
Associate Justice	Dear Mr. (or Madam) Justice last name
United States Senator	Dear Senator last name
Speaker of the House	Dear Mr. (or Madam) Speaker last name
United States Representative	Dear Mr. (or Mrs., Ms.) last name
United Nations Ambassador	Dear Mr. (or Madam) Ambassador last name
Ambassador	Dear Mr. (or Madam) Ambassador last name
Consul-General	Dear Mr. (or Mrs., Ms.) last name
Foreign Ambassador	Excellency or Dear Mr. (or Madam) Ambassador last name
Secretary-General of the United Nations	Dear Mr. (or Madam) Secretary General last name
Governor	Dear Governor last name
State Legislators	Dear Mr. (or Mrs., Ms.) last name
Judges	Dear Judge last name
Mayor	Dear Mayor last name
Council Members	Dear Council member last name
The Pope	Your Holiness or Most Holy Father
Cardinals	Your Eminence or Dear Cardinal last name
Bishops	Your Excellency or Dear Bishop (Archbishop) last name
Monsignor	Reverend Monsignor or Dear Monsignor last name
Priest	Reverend Father or Dear Father last name
Brother	Dear Brother last name
Sister	Dear Sister Mary Claire or Dear Sister last name
Protestant Clergy	Dear Dr. (or Mr., Ms.) last name
Bishop (Episcopal)	Dear Bishop last name
Rabbi	Dear Rabbi last name
King or Queen	Your Majesty or Sir or Madam last name
Other royalty	Your Royal Highness
Duke/Duchess	My Lord Duke/Madam or Dear Duke of ______/Dear Duchess
Marquess/Marchioness	My Lord/Madam or Dear Lord/Lady last name
Earl	My Lord or Dear Lord last name
Countess (wife of an Earl)	Madam or Dear Lady last name
Viscount/Viscountess	My Lord/Lady or Dear Lord/Lady last name
Baron/Baroness	My Lord/Madam or Dear Lord/Lady last name
Baronet	Dear Sir or Dear Sir last name
Wife of Baronet	Dear Madam or Dear Lady last name
Knight	Dear Sir or Dear Sir last name
Wife of Knight	Lady last name
Military Personnel	The full rank is used as a salutation, while writing a letter to commissioned officers in the US Armed Services. For example, Major General Robert Patrick is addressed as “Major General Patrick”. When greeting the officials, the full rank is shortened; for example, “Dear General Patrick”. In case of Sergeants that include staff sergeants, gunnery sergeants, and first sergeants, all are greeted as “Sergeant”. Personnel, with the private first class rank are greeted as “Private”, and chief petty officers as “Chief”. Non-commissioned officers of lower ranks are referred to as just “Soldier” or “Sailor”.

You need to be sure regarding the post or title of the person you are addressing the letter to. In this case, use the appropriate salutations precisely, without causing any embarrassment.