Addressing Outer Envelopes

Need help addressing outer envelopes? Below are some helpful tips to get you started! Please note that these directions will vary depending on what source you use.

• Use full names and titles (Mr. Mrs. Ms. Miss).
  • Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Franklin
  • Mr. Thomas Jefferson
  • Ms. Florence Nightingale
• Use professional titles, if applicable.
  • The Honorable and Mrs. Benjamin Franklin
  • President Thomas Jefferson
• If inviting a married couple with different last names, you can put both names on one line or on two lines (depending on how much room is available).
  • Mr. David Arquette and Mrs. Courtney Cox
  • Mr. Humphrey Bogart
    Mrs. Lauren Bacall
• If inviting an unmarried couple living together, put names in alphabetical order by last name (the man’s name does not automatically go first).
  • Ms. Jennifer Aniston
    Mr. Bradley Pitt
• Spell out all names; do not use initials.
• Do not use symbols; spell out the word “and”.
• Spell out all names; do not use initials.
• “and family” is not appropriate for the outer envelope.
• Use figures only when writing zip codes and house numbers; spell out street names:
  • 123 North Second Avenue
    St. Paul, Minnesota 55110
• Write out the words “Street”, “Avenue”, “Boulevard”, “Lane”, etc.
• Spell out all city names, such as “Saint Paul” instead of St. Paul.
• Spell out all state names.