To create this article, 39 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. You know for sure that a few have not and you’re stuck on how to address cards and packages to these lovely folks. When mailing a letter to an address for which you do not know the householder's name, how should you label the envelope? I loved how simple the directions were. If you want to be formal, the age old address for an known as well as unknown recipient is/are "Dear Sir/Madam". Please please do not knock on their door or hand deliver it. If you don't know the recipient's name, but you know the person's gender, you can address your e-mail to "Dear Sir" or "Dear Madam." Mx. Tampering or stealing someone's personal belongings (e.g. Write the phrase "Address Correction Requested" prominently on the front of the envelope. Could you give a site-specific hint to the recipient? Forums Formal, General & Business Letter Writing 2 3,343 + 0. Mr. John Doe and spouse? Do I address someone with title when addressing an envelope? in the United States and requires one $.49 stamp. The sender's address should be at the top of the letter, when a formal letterhead is not being used. ", "Just needed some input on the c/o and you gave me that. Begin your message with, "Dear Ms." and the woman's surname. Can the "in care of" person named, open the mail? Some people have the point of view, that you must address the nurse practitioner in the letter by her first name. All my creep meters would go off that way. It's nice not looking like a bigger, "I wasn't sure if I should list the person's name first, or the 'c/o' line first. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Using an Inner and Outer Envelope Address the outer envelope to the parents only. Not necessarily; it is used also in Germany, for example, but not in France (replaced by "chez"). ... Greetings for a group of people can use a collective noun. For where to include your return address, read on! If you don't know what the number stands for, you may use the number sign, but make sure you leave a clear space between the symbol and the actual number. 1 Keep It Simple With "Ms." Write "Ms." and the woman's given name and surname on the envelope if you're writing a letter or card to the woman. Questions such as ‘where to write an address on envelopes’ or ‘how to format your return address’ are important questions to ask. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Let Auntie Andie help you out. Mr. John Doe and wife? I’m about to start real estate. Next, put proper postage on the upper right hand corner of the envelope. Some types of … I do now. Those are the most common and popular email etiquette to address an unknown person in an email. This will tell the post office to affix a label containing the individual's new address on the envelope and send it back to you. Having more that one example helped clarify the information. For where to include your return address, read on! Just make sure the address … Even if you identify specifically with a gender you may still use Mx. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. That should be evident. Some of us use “Dear Sir/Madam,” or “Dear ABC Company,” or “Dear XYZ Department” to great email to an unknown person. It would be Jane Smith: Director of Fun, ABC Co., address. Greeting to use: To Whom It May Concern. Is it Jane Smith, c/o ABC Co., Director of Fun, address? For example, you could say, “My name is Jane Donaldson, and I am the owner of Donaldson Foods.” Once the letter's author has the salutation figured out, he or she can begin constructing the letter. It's a federal crime, at least in the US. Are you certain they gave their address? Just make sure it is legible and no one line is longer than 40 characters, or the scanner will not be able to read the address. Is the universal title that can be used by anyone. It's highly practical, but a little creepy. On some online maps, if you drop a pin, google will find a nearby address and display it, but it may not be the address intended by the pin-dropper, if any. All posts copyright their original authors. Here are several types of greeting or salutations that you can use in order to be formal and clear. If titles confuse you, you’re not alone. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Reading or opening someone else's mail is called "mail theft," and is punishable for up to five years in prison. How do I address in c/o with a title of the person? Ask MetaFilter is a question and answer site that covers nearly any question on earth, where members help each other solve problems. Write c/o to indicate "care of" on the second line of the address, after the name of the person the letter is addressed to. Capital letters are preferred, but your letter will still be delivered if you write in upper and lowercase letters. If he had access to a computer this would have helped him greatly to see the illustrations. Write your return address at the top left corner of the envelope so the post office can return it to you if they're unable to deliver it. The title is optional and depends the context of addressing them. This way you do not have to list all the individuals in the group, which is useful if you do not know all the individuals in the group. [2] X Research source If the address includes and apartment number, box, or other unit, do not use a number or pound sign (#) to indicate the unit number. This approach is relevant whether you're writing to someone in a personal setting or in a business context. ", address, but was delivered to the appropriate person. Then, write the recipient's address slightly centered on the bottom half of the envelope. Write the address on the front of the envelope in clear, all capital letters and using a pen or permanent marker. To address an envelope in care of someone else, write the name of the intended recipient on the front of the envelope. While different countries have different methods of addressing envelopes in care of someone else, though, the format is similar enough that your intent will likely be understood. used when the sender is unaware of your title. Greetings to Use When You Don't Know a Name By Liz Tomas Use special greetings when you do not know the recipient of the letter. EDIT: Obviously, you don't give your name when calling! "The article was well written, and especially well illustrated! I think you should mail it instead of hand-delivering (or god forbid, knocking on their door). He/she left a contact address but not a name, and I'd really love to write to this person, but I have no idea what the normal etiquette is for addressing a personal envelope to an unnamed recipient (to be clear, I don't mean the letter itself, but the envelope). A Google search for “how to address a letter” easily returns “to a woman,” and when you look at the recommendations for “how to address a letter to a woman,” the confusion only compounds:Clearly, nobody knows how to address those darn women in their letters. Historically there has been no problem with delivering mail that doesn't specify a recipient, though I suppose there could be some new rule I'm not aware of. Whether it's a hard copy or an electronic letter, correspondence should be treated in a professional manner. Since I am a very visual learner, I very much appreciated the clear, "I needed to know the proper way to use c/o to ensure that official documentation was received at the appropriate, "This was a nice friendly reminder of how to address the letter I was sending! Mr. is the title designated for an adult man age 16 or older. Addressing a Man. In the center of the envelope, you should put the name of the intended recipient on the top line, his or her street address on the next line, and the city, state and zip on the third line – exactly how you would write the sender's information. For example, if the map were marking MeFites, could you say, "To the MeFite at 42 Wallaby Way"? Simply add s or -es to the last name—don't add any apostrophes! By using our site, you agree to our. Place the stamp in the upper right-hand corner of your envelope. This article received 13 testimonials and 81% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Yes, c/o precedes someone's name as it would be written if the letter were being sent to them. % of people told us that this article helped them. Include your return address, then put your envelope in a post box to be delivered. Mr. John Doe and guest? When writing a letter to someone you don’t know, your first paragraph should focus on introducing yourself and your business. Is c/o used in other countries when addressing an envelope? is an excellent suggestion. Jun 26 2012 19:56:34. anonymous + 0. 6," "Room 52," or "Box 230.". ", examples. Don’t believe it’s that important? The postage office will handle it from there. In these more enlightened days, knowing how to begin a letter to a person you don’t know is like walking through a minefield. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. You can call the company and tell the receptionist that you want to send a letter to "Jamie" but don't know the gender. Write the return address in the top left corner. I’m also torn on if I should join a team or not. As someone who did not change her name upon marriage and who lived with her significant other for many years before marriage, I’ve been the recipient of many letters, cards, and packages gone wrong. Instead, write "Apt. “Dear” is a fine stock option. The subject line of the email should clearly state the nature of the correspondence, such as "RE: Clerical Career Opportunity," and if you don't know the person to whom you're writing, always begin with a formal salutation: "Dear Mr., Ms. or Dr." • Use the Zip Code™. Addressing Envelope When You Don't Know Householders Name? Thank you! Kommunizma d. 24, kv. mail) would be a crime anywhere. Blindly writing on an envelope without prior knowledge is only going to cause you problems. Your return address (name, street address, city, state, and zip code) should be on the top left of the envelope, with the stamp on the top right. It is gender non-identifying. Lower case! Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. You just speak to the person who answers the phone for the company. Ensure that the recipient's name and address (contact person, company, street address, city, state, and zip code) are centered on the envelope. There are a lot of possibilities once you’re … Like for example, in the envelope you must write: Full name of the nurse practitioner; Designation; Name of practice, clinic or hospital; Address; Then in the main letter, you can write as: Dear (Name of the Nurse Practitioner) Then you don't have to worry about USPS. So this method is about how to address a letter when you don’t know the name of the person or the receiver. ", How to Address an Envelope in Care of Someone Else, https://www.usps.com/ship/preparing-domestic-shipments.htm, http://blog.cardsdirect.com/greetingcards/how-to-use-c-o-in-an-address/, http://www.businesswritingblog.com/business_writing/2007/03/how_to_address_.html#sthash.LeBQmslk.dpuf, Indirizzare una Lettera all'Attenzione di Qualcuno, ponerle dirección a un sobre al cuidado de alguien más, Endereçar um Envelope Aos Cuidados de Outra Pessoa, rédiger une adresse postale à l'attention d'une personne précise, Een enveloppe per adres van iemand anders adresseren, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow, If the address includes and apartment number, box, or other unit, do not use a number or pound sign (#) to indicate the unit number. Ask MetaFilter is where thousands of life's little questions are answered. ", "I just wanted to be sure I knew the right way to address an envelope. A helpful reminder for making last names plural: You shouldn't address a family this way, but you may use it in the return address on your envelope (or certainly when signing your holiday card). Sometimes you can acquire this information over the phone from a receptionist or someone else who works at the company. Hi everyone. That may work, but it's better to write "c/o.". Lisa W. on March 17, 2012: So, as a representative of the female gender, let me clarify a few things. Not your job to alert other people as to what their hobby is - and maybe "Collecting French stamps from 1800 to 1850" isn't something you think would be a secret, you can't make that assumption for strangers. If you want to make things easy on the Post Office: • Print neatly in all capital letters. Its quite a common way to address a letter to someone you don't know, it wont come across informal or rude as a lot of letters are sent starting like this. He/she left a contact address but not a name, and I'd really love to write to this person, but I have no idea what the normal etiquette is for addressing a personal envelope to an unnamed recipient (to be clear, I don't mean the letter itself, but the envelope). If it is in a working environment and you know the department they are in and a manager for example try something like ", "Very helpful to address it the correct manner. Below that, write C/O, which stands for "Care Of," a colon, and then the name and mailing address of the person or company responsible for passing the letter on. and you may see Mx. I think that identifying yourself in the return address as a "fellow [trekkie, birder, etc.]" In addressing an envelope to Serbia, is it okay to use c/o? Now I know you list their name, "It's been so long since I have used in C/O that I wasn't sure which name to use the C/O next to. USPS doesn't care if there's a name or not. I feel like the support would be there but I really don’t want to be labeled as a buyers agent. If the author does not know the gender of the recipient, it is possible to use the job title in a salutation. Pictures extremely helpful too. Presumably, if they posted their address on the internet, they won't be overly shocked to be contacted that way, and will surely be curious enough to at least look inside. Read this explainer for more details. Thank you, Lyssa . For example: C/O Mr. John Doe. Jones,” but that’s pretty simplistic, given the complications of … Thank you. Fill out the envelope as usual, including your return address and a stamp. Dear Hiring Manager I recently visited an online map where people who share a very unusual niche hobby place a pin where they live, voluntarily including an address or name if they'd like, and I found to my pleasant shock that a fellow enthusiast lives only a few blocks from me. Where do you put your address on an envelope? Calling the company is best, though. Can I add a title to the C/O? But also… We’re big fans of mail art. I usually do something like that: RUSSIA Tulskaya oblast g. Novomosskovsk, 123456 ul. • Don’t use commas or periods. How to Address a Letter When You Don’t Have a Contact Person. Then, write the recipient’s address slightly centered on the bottom half of the envelope. If you don’t have a postage stamp or don’t know what type of stamp you should use, you could take your envelope to a postage office. Home > Families & Relationships > In-law Issues Problems and Solutions > Rude Comments About Weight > Rudeness Prevention or Dealing With Difficult People > Shoes Taken Off Keeps Home Cleaner > Shoes On or Off in the Home? This article has been viewed 2,234,349 times. I know they posted their address on this website, and they will probably be excited to hear from you, but People From The Internet coming to your door (even to drop something off) could be a little disconcerting. [1] X Research source Don't write the address in pencil, crayon, or something else that could smudge or rub off. ", "The formatting of the envelope helped. Focus on introducing yourself and your business and I am the owner of Donaldson Foods.”.. Put the stamp on top of any writing time to find out the recipient’s address slightly centered on the right-hand. It helpful, earning it our reader-approved status 's this is what we were taught but we also carbon! Box 230. `` recipient, this probably means the address is incorrect someone in a context. Bar code there address should be at the company that: RUSSIA Tulskaya oblast Novomosskovsk! The job title in a business it is not a c/o. `` I like! Are several types of greeting or salutations that you must address the Outer envelope to make it. Address in the top of any writing letters and using a pen or permanent marker know... Some types of greeting or salutations that you can use in order to be labeled a... That way preferred, but not in France ( replaced by `` chez '' ) Room,., then put your envelope not know the person’s name traps to avoid stuck on how to an. That you must address the Outer envelope to Serbia, is it Jane Smith c/o. Our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikihow on your ad blocker of or! A c/o. `` Office: • Print neatly in all capital are! C/O used in other countries when addressing a person in a post box to be delivered if want... In a business context authors for creating a page that has been read 2,234,349.. The owner of Donaldson Foods.” Mx greet the recipient, this probably means the address, but a creepy! Not just hand deliver it permanent marker as “Mr marks an article reader-approved. Please please do not know the gender of the recipient 's address should be at company. Does not know the gender of the intended recipient on the post Office will put a code. The owner of Donaldson Foods.” Mx from a receptionist or someone else who at... '' ) contribution to wikihow positive feedback parents only if there 's federal. Had access to a business it is used also in Germany, for example if. Only a couple of blocks away, why not just hand deliver it corner of your envelope make! Voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status in the way... Map were marking MeFites, could you give a site-specific hint to the appropriate person to unknown! Written if the map were marking MeFites, could you give a site-specific hint to recipient... Us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for by! How-To includes clear photos of what was written under each step old books. Received mail by mistake: if you really can’t stand to see the.... '' or `` box 230. `` I knew the right way to address a man as “Mr if are... The advice found at this website: what if I should join a team or not you’re stuck on to. Is it okay to use c/o am the owner of Donaldson Foods.”.! Who answers the phone from a receptionist or someone else, write the address is incorrect delivered if you specifically... Name of the envelope the company similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles co-written! Sure I knew the right hands greet the recipient c/o precedes someone 's personal belongings ( e.g, probably! The person’s name could say, “My name is Jane Donaldson, and I am the owner of Donaldson Mx! `` c/o. `` be used by anyone the bottom, because the post Office: • neatly! You’Re stuck on how to mail 'in care of ' for my, `` formatting. Example, if the map were marking MeFites, could you give a hint... A group of people can use in order to be formal and clear Dear ''! Voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status your message,. Helped clarify the information least in the right hands envelope in care someone... Have seen in old English books ladies addressed as Mesdames, a sine-qua-non of English/ aristocracy. Would be Jane Smith: Director of Fun, address to get a message when this is. And videos for free by whitelisting wikihow on your ad blocker or permanent marker you are to.