How to Address a Public Official in General

• 1). If more detailed information is not available and you have not had time to prepare for the introduction, call a male public official "Sir" and a female public official "Madam" or "Ma'am." According to the website CFT.com, these terms are acceptable in most instances, but they do not extend to "religious or titled persons."
  
  
• 2). Telephone the official's office or your local newspaper to identify the full proper name of the public official you are planning to contact. You may also be able to find this information on the official's website.
  
  
• 3). Ensure that you have the proper spelling of the person's name and know how to pronounce it correctly. Addressing a public official with the correct title while mispronouncing (or misspelling) his name nullifies your effort at recognizing his position or station.
  
  

How to Address a Member of the Government

• 1
  Letters to the president of the United States should be addressed to: The President, The White HouseJupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Address the President of the United States as "Mr. (or Madam) President." This term is used both in person and in writing. Address the Vice President of the United States as "The Vice President" and use the salutation "Mr. (or Madam) Vice President."
  
  When addressing a former President in a letter use, "The Honorable [Name]" on the address and use the salutation "Dear Mr. (or Madam) President." Call this official "Mr. (or Madam) President" in conversation. There are some sources that allow for the less formal "Mr. or Madam" in this instance, however, its use is not common. Use the same reasoning to contact a former Vice President.
  
  
• 2). Address a letter to a Cabinet member as "The Honorable [Surname], The Secretary of [Office]" or "The Attorney General." Use the salutation "Dear Mr. (or Madam) Secretary." Call this official "Mr. (or Madam) Secretary" in conversation.
  
  
• 3). Address a letter to the Supreme Court Chief Justice as "The Chief Justice, The Supreme Court" and use the salutation "Dear Mr. (or Madam) Justice." Call this official "Mr. (or Madam) Chief Justice" in conversation.
  
  Address a letter to an Associate Justice as "Mr. Justice [Surname]" or "Madam Justice [Surname]" and use the salutation "Dear Mr. (or Madam) Justice." Call this official "Mr. (or Madam) Justice" in conversation.
  
  
• 4). Address a letter to a United States Senator as "The Honorable [First and Surname]" and use the salutation "Dear Senator [Surname]." Call this official "Senator" or "Senator [Surname]" in conversation.
  
  Address a letter to the Speaker of the House as "The Honorable [First and Surname]" and use the salutation "Dear Mr. (or Madam) Speaker." Call this official "Mr. (or Madam) Speaker" in conversation.
  
  Address a letter to a United States Representative as "The Honorable [First and Surname]" and use the salutation "Dear Mr. (or Mrs. or Ms.) [Surname]." Refer to this official as "Mr. (or Mrs. or Ms.) [Surname]" in conversation.
  
  
• 5). Address a letter to your state Governor as "The Honorable [First and Surname], Governor of [State]" and use the salutation "Dear Governor [Surname]" for both the letter and in conversation.
  
  Address a letter to a state legislator as "The Honorable [First and Surname]" and use the salutation "Dear Mr. (or Mrs. or Ms.) [Surname]" for both the letter and in conversation.
  
  
• 6). Address a letter to a judge as "The Honorable [First and Surname], [Name of Court]" and use the salutation "Dear Judge [Surname]." Refer to this official in conversation as "Justice or Judge [Surname]" or "Madam Justice [Surname]."
  
  
• 7). Address a letter to a mayor as "The Honorable [First and Surname]; His (or her) Honor the Mayor, City Hall" and use the salutation "Dear Mayor [Surname]." Refer to this official in conversation as "Mayor [Surname]" or "Your Honor."