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| United States Federal Officials
Questions & Answers, Frequently Asked Questions, and Blog
Site updated by Robert Hickey on September 1, 2010
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| How to Address "President Obama"?
What Would You Call the Husband of a President?
How to Address The Vice President?
How to Address The Vice President
as President of the Senate?
How to Introduce the The Speaker of the House
and The President-elect of the United States?
How to Address the White House Chief of Staff?
How to Address The Attorney General?
How to Address a Deputy Secretary?
How to Address a Deputy Assistant Secretary?
How to Address Two Senators in a Salutation?
How Do I Address My Congressman?
Why Do We Address a Congressman as "Mr./Ms. (Name)"?
How Do I Address the Director of the CIA?
How Do I Address a Federal Inspector General?
How Do I Address a Member of the Senior Executive Service?
How Do I Address a Judge?
How to Write a Name Badge for a Justice and a Judge?
How to Address a Friend of the Court?
How to List an Elected Official in a Program?
How to Address an Acting High Federal Official?
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| Looking for Joint Forms of Address? (Two Names in the Address)
Link to Q&A just on Joint Forms of Address
How Do I Address a Former (Non-Military) Official?
Link to Q&A just on Former Officials (e.g., government, non-military)
All about The Honorable
Link to Q&A just on officials in the U.S. addressed as The Honorable
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| How to Address a Deputy Assistant Secretary?
Is a political appointee Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense an “Honorable”? Thanks.
-- Alfred Loren Smith
Dear Mr. Smith:
I include in my book on pages 78 and 79 a full list of which positions are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate ... and while a Deputy Secretary and Assistant Secretary are President Appointed/Senate approved ... a Deputy Assistant Secretary is only Presidentially appointed .... and by that criteria would not be addressed as "The Honorable."
-- Robert Hickey
May I Use SES As A Post-Nominal Abbreviation?
Some of our association members are retired from the Senior Executive Service (SES). Is there any title for them?
For example .... John Smith, SES (Ret.) Maybe?
-- DF
Dear DF:
I have not seen SES used as a post-nominal abbreviation.
It would be used after the name in an introduction .. e.g., "Our speaker to day is Edmund Burns, a member of the Senior Executive Service and ...."
However everyone who is SES has (or had in the case of retired SES) a specific job and job title and it would be appropriate to note that person is a "former (whatever position they held)."
-- Robert Hickey
How to Address The Vice President
as The President of the Senate?
I am preparing a letter to the VP in his role as President of the Senate to be signed by our CEO. For addressing the letter, would I use the protocol for addressing him as The Vice President, Old Executive Office Building, Washington, DC; Dear Mr. Vice President or as President of the Senate? If it should be as President of the Senate, would he be addressed as The Honorable Joseph Biden?
I refer to your Web site often and find it very helpful – thank you very much for any assistance you can give me.
-- Pat at MCC in DC
Dear Pat:
There is always a flurry of comments in the media when they pick up that The President of the United States addresses The Vice President presiding as The President of the Senate at the State of the Union Address as Mr. President.
But he is absolutely correct in doing so, because in that room The Vice President is Mr. President of the Senate.
George Bush one year addressed Dick Cheney as Mr. Vice President and the protocol professionals went into meltdown mode.
I include that form of address on page 168 of my book. The envelope to the Vice President as President of the Senate is addressed to The Vice President at his/her Senate office on Capitol Hill:
The Vice President
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
The salutation is to the Vice President in his capacity as President of the Senate is:
Dear Mr. President:
If the letter is to him or her as the Vice President it goes to The Old Executive Office Building ... the salutation is to:
Dear Mr. Vice President
This is consistent with the American tradition that we give an official just one title at a time ...but address a person who he or she is to us at that moment.
-- Robert Hickey Mr. Hickey
This is HUGELY helpful, thank you very much and yes, I will order your book. We were close to getting it all right except for the envelope, so glad you included that info – thanks again, Pat
How to Address The Vice President?
I am going to meet Joe Biden, The Vice President. What should I call him when I do?
-- Lloyd Greene in DC
Dear Mr. Greene:
The holders of the highest offices in our government are addressed as Mr. (Office) or Madame (Office) ... not by their name. So simply call him Mr. Vice President.
You might hear The Vice President referred to as Vice President Biden in the media, but this is used to identify The Vice President in the third person or in a news story, not the most formal form of direct address. I include written and spoken forms of address for The Vice President (and spouse) on pages 169-170 of my book.
-- Robert Hickey
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How to Address an Acting Official?
I think I have looked through all the relevant places on your site and have been unable to find the answer to this question:
How does one address a letter to an "Acting" Deputy Attorney General? In particular, does one refer to him as "Honorable" - I believe that "Honorable" is used for all presidential appointees; however, the current Deputy Attorney General is "Acting" (i.e. named by the Attorney General to the position until the President's nominee gets confirmed by the Senate).
-- Anup Sanjay
Dear Mr. Sanjay:
1) Acting officials are not always in the job pending their appointment for the job. Sometimes they are in the position until a permanent appointment is made. You say this is the case here: he's acting until the President's nominee is confirmed. Around the government, It's not unusual for an type of office to be filled with both officials who are The Honorable and those not addressed as The Honorable.
2) There is an exception: unconfirmed cabinet-level officials ... acting secretary, secretary ad-interim, and secretary designates ... are addressed as The Honorable. So it would apply to the corresponding attorneys general too.
However, I know of no source that says the courtesy is offered to any pre-confirmation office holder below the cabinet level. I include a list of the offices addressed as The Honorable in my book on page 78.
So, for an acting deputy who pending appointment .... he or she would not be The Honorable until appointment and confirmation are complete. Until then he's "Mr./Ms."
To double check .... I've looked it up in several books I have, including the brand new one by Ambassador Mary Mel French, United States Protocol: The Guide to Official Diplomatic Etiquette, and all say the same .... cabinet / yes .... below cabinet / no.
3) There have been cases where an appointee had been elected to an office in a general election .... and was The Honorable from before ... so in that case he or she would already be The Honorable and not have to wait.
-- Robert Hickey |
| How to Address a Federal Inspector General?
There are two ways to be appointed as a Federal Inspector General; either by presidential appointment with Senate confirmation -OR- by appointment by the head of your agency. In the IG Act, the latter is known as a “designated Federal entity” as opposed to the former being regarded as an “establishment”. (See Inspector General Act, 5 U.S.C. app.5.)
Is it appropriate to address both types of appointed IGs (who perform the functions of IG equally) as “ The Honorable.”
-- Madelyn Dean
Dear Ms. Dean:
Having two categories of office holders in the same office is not uncommon:
* Most sheriffs are elected, but some are appointed ... only the elected sheriffs are "The Honorable" ....
* Same situation with clerks of courts, school boards, various commissioners, and chiefs of police.
So ...
Presidential appointment + Senate confirmation: The Honorable Kevin White
Other than that: Mr./Mrs./Ms./Dr. etc, Kevin White
-- Robert Hickey
How to Address Two Senators in a Salutation?
On your website, you covered how to address two married Honorables, but in a letter if they are both Senators, would the salutation of the letter be as follows:
Dear Senator Smith and Senator Smith,
OR
Dear Senators Smith,
-- Mary in Dallas
Dear Mary:
In a salutation combining honorifics is typical;
Dear Drs. Smith,
Dear Professors Smith,
Dear Pastors Smith,
I don't imagine there are many Senators married to another Senator ... the best option is:
Dear Senators Smith,
-- Robert Hickey
Why Do We Address Members of the
US House of Representatives as "Mr./Ms. (Name)"?
Why do we address Members of the U.S. House of Representatives on the greeting line as Dear Mr./Ms. (Name) instead of Dear Representative (Name)? Are both ways appropriate?
-- Working @ Connecticut Avenue and K Street
Dear WACAAKS:
On Capital Hill members of the House address one another as Mr./Mrs./Ms./Dr./etc. Traditionally members of the House use whatever the highest honorific to which they are entitled on their own. I show the all the forms of address for members of the House of Representatives on pages 180-181.
All around the world lower houses of governments routinely follow the British model: e.g. members of the House of Commons in Parliament London, Ottawa, and everywhere else are all simply Mr./Mrs./Ms./Dr./etc.
The media uses "Representative Williams" or sometimes "Congressman Williams" as shorthand to refer to The Honorable Thomas Williams, Member of the United States House of Representatives from the 3rd District of New Mexico which would be the formal form of address -- and is a mouthful!
Sometimes you will hear "Representative Williams" or "Congresswoman Williams" to clarify to the listener who is being introduced. Those members of the House who prefer "Congressman/woman" or "Representative" don't want to their rank to be missed! Members of the Senate with their Senator Brown have it a bit easier!
-- Robert Hickey
How Do I Address My Congressman?
Dear Mr. Hickey:
I am a student writing a letter to my representative to the US House. I was wondering how I should address him Dear Congressman Murphy, or Dear Christopher Murphy, or something else. Need the answer soon. Thank you.
--- Rick Caffi
Dear Mr. Caffi:
Address the letter to your Representative as The Honorable (full name).
The salutation is Dear Mr. (Surname):
Congressman is not formally used as an honorific.
-- Robert Hickey
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| Is The President Addressed as "President (name)"?
Dear Mr. Hickey:
I have been directing people to refer to the president as "President Obama." Is that correct or am I confused? Any advice?
--- Anna McDonald, Stafford, Virginia
Dear Ms. McDonald:
We hear President Obama on the TV and radio all the time ... but those are references to him in the third person, not in the first person (direct address).
In direct address the tradition is: The President’s name is never used in his or her presence.
Here is how the President of the United States is correctly addressed. (I show all the forms for The President, former Presidents, and President-elect on pages 165--167 of my book.):
Address the envelope:
The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
For the letter's salutation: Dear Mr. President:
In conversation, address The President as: Mr. President
-- Robert Hickey
What Will the Spouse of a Female President be Called?
Dear Mr. Hickey:
What is female president's spouse called? The First Gentleman?
-- Mickey (Michelle) Broom
Dear Ms. Broom:
First Lady is used to describe the wife of the president of the United States, but it's not a form of address or honorific. The First Lady is addressed as "Mrs. (surname)" so currently that is -- Mrs. Obama.
The male spouse of a president of the United States would be addressed as Mr. (full name) in writing and Mr. (surname) in conversation.
In my book (page 166) I show both the masculine and feminine forms ... but avoid the issue of whether he would be the First Husband and titled the section Spouse of The President.
-- Robert Hickey
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How to Introduce the The Speaker of the House
and The President-elect of the United States?
January 6, 2009
Dear Sir:
A quick question for you… President-Elect Barack Obama will be meeting with the Speaker. In making an introduction, I think it would be appropriate to introduce Obama to Pelosi, given that the Speaker’s current position takes precedence. Would you agree? Obama is not yet the President, but he is no longer Senator. Would it be appropriate to say the following, “Madam Speaker, I would like to introduce to you Senator Obama, President-Elect of the United States.”
--- KB on Capitol Hill
Dear KB:
Yes, the Speaker has higher precedence in the introduction, President-elect is not on precedence lists -- but "Senator" is ... and a Senator is lower than Speaker of the House.
The wording you suggest sounds good.
Or you could say "Madame Speaker may I present the President-elect" or "Madame Speaker may I present the President-elect of the United States" Since you address her by her office, maybe it's a elegant to identify him by his? She knows he's Senator Obama.
-- Robert Hickey
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How Do I Address the Director of the CIA?
Dear Mr. Hickey:
I am addressing a letter to the Director of the CIA. I know I would address it The Honorable (First name) + (Last name), but what is the salutation?
Dear Director (Last name)?
Dear Secretary (Last name)?
--- Theresa Schnipper
Dear Ms. Schnipper:
Yes ... the Director of the CIA is The Honorable (full name).
The salutation is Dear Mr. (Surname):
He's not a "Secretary" ... and "Director" is not used as an honorific -- Commissioners do use Commissioner (surname) and a Chairman of a Board (like the Federal Reserve) is addressed as Mr./Madame Chairman:, but while you may hear the title used in the third person (e.g. someone saying The Director will be here in 20 minutes) "directors" don’t’ formally use “director” as an honorific. I include a list of offices addressed as "The Honorable" on pages 78-79 of my book.
-- Robert Hickey
How Do I Address a Judge?
Dear Mr. Hickey:
I have been asked to write a letter to a judge. Having been out of school a while, my skill is very rusty. Specifically, I need to know the salutation, how to address him in the body of the letter, and an appropriate closing with respect to his status.
--- Roger Faust
Dear Mr. Faust:
Address the envelope to the Judge as The Honorable (Full name).
In the letter's address block use The Honorable (Full name).
The salutation is Dear Judge (Surname):
An appropriate closing would be Sincerely,
-- Robert Hickey
How to Address the White House Chief of Staff?
Dear Mr. Hickey:
I am sending a formal invitation to several government officials. How would I address an envelope to The White House Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel?
-- Melanie Schaeffer, Moline, Illinois
Dear Ms. Schaeffer:
The White House Chief of Staff is addressed as "The Honorable." So Rahm Emanual is addressed as:
The Honorable Rahm Emanual
Chief of Staff
The White House
(Address)
As it happens, Rahm Emanual is already an “Honorable” since he was he was elected to the House of Representatives, but he doesn’t get “Honorable” twice!
-- Robert Hickey
How to Write a Name Badge for a Justice and a Judge?
Mr. Hickey,
When preparing name badges how do you distinguish between Supreme Court Justices and County Judges; is using Honorable for both correct?
-- Marianne Wood
Dear Ms. Wood,
On a name badge, write what one should call the person wearing the badge.
A name badge for a justice of a Supreme Court of a state would be Justice (name).
A county judge would be Judge (name).
For where I’ve note (name) above, use either (full name) or (surname) to match the style of all the other name badges you are writing.
-- Robert Hickey
How to Address the Attorney General?
Dear Mr. Hickey,
I have a very serious legal matter which requires contacting the US Attorney General Eric Holder. Can you tell me the correct salutation to use in an E-mail?
-- Paula Roth
Dear Ms.Roth,
I have some basics on the Attorney General page on this site already. See that page.
Regarding electronic communications -- When addressing a high official in an E-mail you should use the same correct forms of address you would use in a letter. Address him as Mr. Attorney General in every instance ... until he says "Please call me Eric."
-- Robert Hickey
How to Do You Address a Friend of the Court?
How do you address the Friend of the Court?
-- Tom
Dear Tom:
A Friend of the Court is a role, not an official office like an elected or appointed judge, sheriff, or member of a city council ... all of which get special forms of address.
Address using the formula for a private citizen: (Appropriate honorific) + (Their name) and simply then identify by (office) when identification is appropriate.
Friend of the Court wouldn't be used before the name as an honorific.
For example:
In conversation: Mr./Mrs./Ms./Dr./Pastor/etc. (name)
In an introduction: Judge Wilson, may I present Mr./Ms./Dr./Pastor/etc. (name), who is a Friend of the Court ...
-- Robert Hickey
How to Address a U.S. Deputy Secretary of State?
How do I address a U.S. Deputy Secretary of State? In the salutation of a letter, as well as mailing address?
-- Law office in Dallas
Dear Dallas,
U.S. Deputy Secretaries of all the departments are all appointed by The President and approved by the Senate .... so all are "The Honorable"
While they would be identified as a "Deputy Secretary" they don't have a special "title" so go by "Mr./Ms." and are then identified in an introduction as "The Deputy Secretary of State (for ....)" Deputy Secretaries sometimes have "an interest area" they are in charge of .... but not always.
The Honorable Megan Wilson
Deputy Secretary of State ("interest area" if it's included...)
U.S. Department of State
(Address)
Dear Ms. Wilson:
-- Robert Hickey
How to List an Elected Official in a Program?
How does one list the governor or the mayor in a program for an event at which they will be speaking?
-- Susan in Honolulu
Dear Susan:
Use this formula:
1) list by name
2) identify by office
(Program)
Welcome Remarks
The Honorable Linda Lingle, Governor of the State of Hawaii
The Honorable Mufi Hannemann, Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu
-- Robert Hickey Robert,
That's good, but I don't think it's necessary to list their offices. Everyone will know who they are. O.K?
-- Susan in Honolulu
Dear Susan:
Those present may know who Linda Lingle and Mufi Hanneman are, but programs also serve as keepsakes and as a record of the event. So often to include / not to include offices, date, year, and location are made with posterity in mind.
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Not Finding Your Question Answered?
Below are other topics covered in my blog. If you don't see your question answered send me an e-mail. I am pretty fast at sending a reply and if I think It would be of interest to others, I will post the question and the answer with all the names and personal specifics removed.
-- Robert Hickey USE OF NAMES & HONORIFICS
Mr., Miss, Jr., III, & Names
Married Women
Deceased Persons
People with Two Titles
Post-Nominal Abbreviations and Initials
Joint Forms of Address (How do you write two names?)
USE OF SPECIFIC OFFICIAL TITLES
Former Officials
Professionals and Academics
United States Federal Officials
United States State Officials
United States Municipal Officials
All About The Honorable with U.S. Officials
Former United States Officials
United States Armed Services
Retired U.S. Armed Service Officers
Tribal Officials
Clergy and Religious Officials
Canadian Officials
Australian Officials
British Officials, Royalty, and Nobility
Diplomats and International Representatives
Foreign National Officials and Nobility SPECIFIC SITUATIONS
Etiquette
Flags: Traditions and Protocol
Introductions
Invitations: Writing & Addressing
Invitations: Just Armed Service Personnel
Names on Programs, Signs, & on Lists
Place Cards
Precedence: Ordering Officials
Thank You Notes
Site updated by Robert Hickey on September 1, 2010
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Back to Main Page of the Robert Hickey's BLOG Robert Hickey is the author of Honor & Respect:
The Official Guide to Names, Titles, and Forms of Address
Published by The Protocol School of Washington®
Foreword by Pamela Eyring
Copyright © 2010 Robert Hickey. All Rights Reserved.
Book Photo: Marc Goodman.
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All information on www.formsofaddress.info is copyright © 2010 by Robert Hickey.
The Protocol School of Washington® is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Honor & Respect is dedicated to Dorothea Johnson, Founder of The Protocol School of Washington®
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