Written communication involves the use of specific titles and honorifics, especially since CSS is frequently involved with the legal system on a day-to-day basis. This is a quick reference chart for titles of address for most officials.
Academics, College, or University
| Addressee | Address | Salutation |
|---|---|---|
| Dean | Dean Full Name | Dear Dean Last Name |
| President | President Full Name | Dear President Last Name |
| Professor | Professor Full Name | Dear Professor Last Name |
Clerical and Religious Orders
| Addressee | Address | Salutation |
|---|---|---|
| Archbishop, Eastern Orthodox | The Most Reverend First Name, Archbishop of Place name |
Your Eminence |
| Archbishop, Roman Catholic | The Most Reverend First Name, Archbishop of Place name |
Your Excellency |
| Archdeacon, Episcopal | The Venerable Full Name, Archdeacon of Place name |
Dear Archdeacon Last name |
| Bishop, Episcopal | The Right Reverend Full Name, Bishop of Place name |
Right Reverend Sir or Dear Bishop Last Name |
| Bishop, other Protestant | The Reverend Full Name | Dear Bishop Last Name |
| Bishop, Roman Catholic | The Most Reverend Full Name, Bishop of Place name |
Your Excellency or Dear Bishop Last Name |
| Cardinal | His Eminence First Name, Cardinal Last name, Archbishop of Place Name |
Your Eminence |
| Clergyman/woman, Protestant | The Reverend Full Name or, The Reverend Full name, D.D. |
Dear Mr./Ms. Last name or, Dear Dr. Last name |
| Dean of a Cathedral, Episcopal | The Very Reverend Full Name, Dean of Place name |
Dear Dean Last name |
| Monsignor | The Right Reverend Monsignor Full Name | Dear Monsignor |
| Patriarch, Greek Orthodox | His All Holiness the Patriarch of Place Name | Your All Holiness |
| Patriarch, Russian Orthodox | His Holiness the Patriarch of Place Name | Your Holiness |
| Pope | His Holiness the Pope | Your Holiness or Most Holy Father |
| Priest, Roman Catholic | The Reverend Full name or, The Reverend Full name, S.J. (or other order) |
Dear Reverend Father or Dear Father |
| Rabbi, man or woman | Rabbi Full name or Full name, D.D. | Dear Rabbi Last name |
Government Offices
| Addressee | Address | Salutation |
|---|---|---|
| Ambassador, U.S. | The Honorable Full Name, The Ambassador of the United States |
Sir/Madam or Dear Mr./Madam Ambassador |
| Ambassador to the U.S. | His/Her Excellency Full Name, The Ambassador of Place name |
Excellency or Dear Mr./Madam Ambassador |
| Secretary General, United Nations | His/Her Excellency Full name, Secretary General of the United Nations |
Dear Mr./Madam/Madame Secretary General |
| United Nations Representative, U.S. | The Honorable Full name, United States Representative to the United Nations |
Sir/Madam or Dear Mr./Ms Last name |
| United Nations Representative, foreign | His/Her Excellency Full name, Representative of Place name to the United Nations |
Excellency or My dear Mr./Madam Last name |
| Assemblyman/woman | The Honorable Full name | Dear Mr./Ms. Last name |
| Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court | The Honorable Justice Full name | Dear Sir/Madam or Justice Last name |
| Cabinet member | The Honorable Full Name, Secretary of Department Name |
Sir/Madam or Dear Mr./Madam Secretary |
| Chief Justice, U.S. Supreme Court | The Honorable Full Name, Chief Justice of the United States |
Dear Mr./Madam Chief Justice |
| Commissioner | The Honorable Full name | Dear Mr./Ms. Last name |
| Governor | The Honorable Full name, Governor of State name |
Dear Governor Last name |
| Judge, federal | The Honorable Full name, Judge, United States District Court |
Dear Sir/Madam or Judge Last name |
| Judge, state or local | The Honorable Full name, Judge of the Court of Place name |
Dear Judge Last name |
| Mayor | The Honorable Full name, Mayor of Place name |
Dear Mayor Last name |
| President, U.S. | The President | Dear Mr./Madam President |
| President, U.S., former | The Honorable Full name | Dear Mr./Madam Last name |
| Representative, state | The Honorable Full name, State name House of Representatives |
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name |
| Representative, U.S. | The Honorable Full name, United States House of Representatives |
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name |
| Senator, state | The Honorable Full name, The State Senate, State Capital |
Dear Senator Last name |
| Senator, U.S. | The Honorable Full name, United States Senate |
Dear Senator Last name |
| Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives | The Honorable Full name, Speaker of the House of Representatives |
Dear Mr./Madam Speaker |
| Vice President, U.S. | The Vice President of the United States | Dear Mr./Madam Vice President |
Military Ranks
| Addressee | Address | Salutation |
|---|---|---|
| All Ranks | Rank Full Name, USA/USN/USCG/USAF/USMC/USPHS/NOAA |
Dear Rank Last Name |
Professions
| Addressee | Address | Salutation |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney | Mr./Ms. Full name, Attorney at law or Full name, Esq |
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name |
| Dentist | Full name, D.D.S. | Dear Dr. Last name |
| Physician | Full name, M.D. | Dear Dr. Last name |
| Veterinarian | Full name, D.V.M. | Dear Dr. Last name |