How to Address an Envelope

Once upon a time, not so long ago, letter writing was the most preferred mode of communication with friends, family and business associates. Then came a time, the pen was replaced by printers and fancy printed letters with creative fonts were mailed to the receiver. Letters were slowly replaced by computers and now we are in an age, where our Blackberries instead of the good old mailman delivers us our electronic mail. Know more on email accounts.

Most of us have become out of touch with the old and sweet art of letter writing. After we finish writing our letters, we come up with the a question 'how to address an envelope'. The art of writing a letter is not yet lost as we still write them when sending an email, but addressing an envelope etiquette has become an art. We frantically rack our brains searching for the answer on how to address an envelope? Well, it is not a very difficult task and can be very easy once you get an idea. Let me help you by answering some questions on addressing an envelope etiquette.

Case #1: Addressing an Envelope Etiquette

• The flap of the envelope should be facing away from you. Affix the stamp in the upper right hand corner of the plain side.
• Write your first and last name on the upper left hand side corner. Then followed by a comma (,) write your house number, street name, city and P.O Box number on the next line. Basically, you have to write down your mailing address.
• Now exactly in the middle of the envelope begin writing the mailing address. Write down the name of the person or company you want to address your letter to.
• Below the name, begin a new line and write the P.O. box number, street name or number.
• The next lines that follow should contain the name of city and state. Do not forget to write the zip code.
• You letter is ready to be mailed! Do not forget to add a comma after each line and a period(.) at the end of the address.

Case #2: How to Address an Envelope With an Apartment Number?

• Follow the first three points mentioned above in Case #1
• After writing the name of the recipient followed by a comma, write down the apartment number.
• A short apartment number or suite number should be written as Apt. # or Suite #'. If you find the number is too long then write it down above the address, followed by city, state and zip code. Basically you are writing the address in a descending order and the name which generally comes first is written last.
• Thus, starting with a long apartment number and ending with the name of the receiver when addressing an envelope with an apartment number.

Case #3: How to Address an Envelope Attention?

• Follow the first two points mentioned above in Case # 1
• Write the name of the reviver, in the middle of the envelope preceding with the following word, 'ATTN '. You letter will now be addressed as ATTN SO and SO.
• On the next line, write the address containing the street name, P.O. Box number, city, state, zip code.
• You are ready to mail your To the Attention (ATTN ) envelope.

Case #4: How to Address An Envelope in Care of?

• Follow the first two points mentioned above in Case #1
• After writing the name of the reviver followed by a comma, write c/o SO and SO, who will be receiving the mail.
• On the next line write down the street name, P.O. Box number, city, state and zip code.
• Your in care of letter is ready to be mailed.

Case #5: How to Address An Envelope to A Married Couple?
The envelope writing etiquette when writing a letter to an married couple states that you should address their names in the following manner:

• Jack & Jill Hill
• Mr. & Mrs. Jack Hill
• Mr. Jack & Mrs. Jill Hill
• Mr. & Mrs. Jack & Jill Hill
• Mr. Jack Hill and Mrs, Jane Hill

You can try any of the options when addressing an envelope to a married couple.

Case #6: How to Address An Envelope with a PO Box Number?

• Follow the first three points mentioned above in Case # 1
• Mention the P.O. Box number after the name of the recipient.
• On the next lines mention the city, state and zip code.
• You are ready to mail an envelope with a P.O Box number

Case #7: How to Address an Envelope to a Family?
When addressing an envelope to a family, you can write the recipients name as follows:

• The Hill Family
• The Hills

Either of the two can be used when addressing an envelope to a family.

Case #8: How to Address an Envelope to a Business?

• Follow the first two points mentioned above in Case # 1.
• Begin writing the senders address in the center of the envelop using the name of the specific person or the name of the company. It is always better to write the name of the recipient as it becomes easier for the mail department of the company to forward it to the person concerned.
• Next write down the name of the specific department or division the person works in or if he wants your letter to be received by a specific department of the company.
• Write down the street address, city, state and zip code.
• Your envelope addressed to a business is ready. Know more on how to address an envelope to a business

Case #9: How to Address an Envelope to a Widow?
When addressing an envelope to a widow, it is more appropriate to address her as Mrs. Jack Hill rather than Mrs. Jill Hill. You may even address her as Mrs. J. Hill using just initial of her late husband's name. You may even address young widows with as Ms. Jack Hill.

These are few instructions on how to write an envelope. Be clear with your handwriting and do not smudge the ink. Make sure you put the appropriate stamp amount that is required. Do not write vague addresses and make no mistakes with the numbers. Try writing a letter to your loved ones for a change. It will give you immense satisfaction and the recipient joy while reading.