How to Address an Envelope to a Family (Any Kind of Family) | LoveToKnow (2024)

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 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

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

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 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.