With all the combinations of names out there these days, knowing how to address a letter to a family can be a little tricky. Don't stress, though. We've got you covered with everything you need to know to ensure you get the right message to the right people.
Letters and envelopes addressed to a family can be informal or formal, just like other types of letters. Learn the etiquette guidelines for addressing a letter to a family with a few examples. It won't take long to get the basics down, we promise.
How to Address an Envelope for a Family Letter
Generally, you address envelopes to family members the same way you would any other type of letter. There are a few basics to remember (you probably already know these, but a refresher is always good):
- Your name or your family name and address go in the top left corner of the envelope.
- The recipient's family name and address goes in the center of the envelope.
- You should always include last names on an envelope address. You do not use an apostrophe with last names in addresses. Add an "s" to the end of last names that don't end in "s," and add an "es" to the end of last names that end in "s."
- Traditionally, men's names come first, but we are totally not going to hold you to that in this day and age.
- A stamp goes in the top right corner if you're not hand-delivering the letter.
How you address a letter depends on whether you're sending a formal invitation or an informal note. The formal options are acceptable for all types of letters, but you'll definitely want to use them with announcements and invitations. The informal options should be reserved for personal letters or things like casual notes or Christmas cards.
How to Address an Envelope to a Married Couple With the Same Last Name
When you address an envelope to a married couple who share a last name, you have a few options for writing their names. It all depends on formality.
These are perfect ways to address a formal envelope:
- Mr. and Mrs. Lee
- Mr. and Mrs. Jack Lee
- Mr. and Mr. Lee
- Mrs. and Mrs. Lee
- Dr. and Mrs. Lee
- Dr. and Mr. Lee
- The Lee Family
For informal options, these are our top picks:
- The Lees
- Jack and Kim Lee
Titles like Mr., Mrs., and Ms. are linked to gender, and not everyone identifies with a gender that has a title. If you are addressing an envelope to a family with non-binary or gender-fluid members, skip the titles altogether. In this case, formality is less important than being inclusive.
How to Address an Envelope With Two Different Last Names
Not every family fits the traditional mold of a mom, dad, and kids who share the same last name. In fact, married couples often have different last names, and parents aren't always married. When the parents and children in a household have more than one last name, you have a few options.
For formal envelopes, you can put the parents on one line and give each new last name its own line:
Mr. Lee and Ms. Smith
Jenny Johnson
Jackson Bowen
Alternatively, you can keep things clear (without making gender a factor) and use full names, giving each child a line:
Skylar Lee and Drew Johnson
Jenny Johnson
Jackson Lee
For an informal envelope you'll be delivering by hand, use first names:
Jack, Kim, Jenny, and Jackson
Be careful not to assume that a couple has the same last name because they're married. Traditions are changing, and it's always best to ask about the last name if you're not sure what they use.
How to Address an Envelope to an Unmarried Couple
When you address an envelope to an unmarried couple, you'll need to address each person separately. This applies, whether you want to make it formal and use titles or keep it chill with just the names.
These work for formal situations:
- Mr. Jack Lee and Ms. Kim Smith
- The Lee and Smith Family
For more informal situations or to avoid assigning gender with a title, just use the full names:
- Jack Lee and Kim Smith
- Taylor Owens and Zadie Thomas
How to Address an Envelope to a Child
Informal envelopes addressed to children can simply use the child's first and last name. Formal envelopes should include the child's name on the first line and a "care of" designation on the second line with their parents' names.
Formal example:
Jenny Lee
C/O Mr. and Mrs. Jack Lee
How to Address an Envelope to Multiple Family Members
Sometimes, you need to include several people on the envelope. Whether it's siblings, young children, adult children, or other family members, the way you handle this depends on the situation.
If the message or invitation inside the envelope is meant to include children under age 18 who are in the family, they should be included on the envelope address, too. Children over age 18 and other adult members of the household should receive their own separate letters.
If you're sending a formal invitation or letter, go with one of these:
- The Lee Family
- Mr. and Mrs. Lee and Family
- Mr. and Mrs. Lee and Children
- Mr. Jack Lee, Ms. Kim Smith, Jenny Lee, and Jackson Lee (address each child by first name in birth order)
If you want a more informal option or you don't want to specify gender with the titles, go this route:
- The Lees
- Jack Lee, Kim Smith, Jenny Lee, and Jackson Lee
How to Address an Envelope to a Family
Understanding how to greet a family in a letter, or to open the letter, is very similar to addressing the envelope. Whether it's a formal or informal letter, make sure to address all included family members in the greeting.
Formal Addresses for Family Letters
Formal letter greetings typically include titles and last names of the recipients and are followed by a colon. These would be reserved for things like wedding invitations and legal or professional correspondences.
- Dear (insert formal family address from envelope here):
- To (insert formal family address from envelope here):
- Mr. and Mrs. Smith:
- Mr. and Mrs. Smith and family:
Informal Addresses for Family Letters
If you are writing a personal letter, sending a fun family newsletter, or writing another type of informal letter, you can open the letter with an informal greeting. In these instances, it's okay to just use first names, and the greeting is followed by a comma.
- Dear Jack and Kim,
- Dear Lee Family,
- Jack, Kim, Jenny, and Jackson,
Related: 9 Modern Wedding Invitation Etiquette Tips to Avoid Any Mistakes
The Elements of Family Correspondence
Most family members won't care if you've addressed an envelope or letter properly, because they accept you as you are. However, how you address these family correspondences can send unintentional messages. For example, if you leave a family member out of the address or put the wrong last name, it could offend one or more of the recipients. You're on the right track giving this some thought, and you'll do it perfectly if you keep the basics in mind.
