
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.