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 BlackBerry instead of the good old mailman delivers us our electronic mail.

Most of us are out of touch with the old and sweet art of letter writing. After we finish writing our letters, we come up with the 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 related to addressing 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 to be Followed
Writing an envelope is not a very difficult task, once you know the basic etiquette to be followed. I shall first explain these basic principles that one should follow before mailing a letter.

ANNE McKENZY BEE SIMPLE CO. LTD MARSH ROAD MARYLAND-87934.				Stamp
		JOHN BROWN, MY LADY PVT. LTD PENNY STREET MARYLAND- 765470.

• 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 write your house number, street name, city and P.O Box number on the next line. Basically, you have to write 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.
• You can use standard street abbreviations as well as state abbreviations.
• If you wish, you can use capital letters in the address and return address.
• 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 period(.) at the end of the address.

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

ANNE McKENZY, 1411 MAIN ST. #1A YOUR TOWN, NY - 01234				Stamp
		JOHN BROWN, REGAL HOTEL, SUITE #G17 UT - 765470.

• Follow the first three points mentioned above in Case #1
• After writing the name of the recipient write down the street number on the next line.
• In case of apartments, you can include the apartment number on the same line after the street name. Make sure you abbreviate the apartment number using (Apt.) or the pound sign (#) before writing the 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 on the line above. Basically you are writing the address in a descending order, that is, name of person, to department or apartment, company, street, city, state and then country.
• 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?

ANNE McKENZY, 1411 MAIN ST. #1A YOUR TOWN, NY - 01234				Stamp
		ATTN: JOHN BROWN, MY LADY PVT.LTD, 7654 PENNY ST. #G17 UT - 765470.

• Follow the first two points mentioned above in Case # 1
• Write the name of the receiver, 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?

ANNE McKENZY, BEE SIMPLE CO.LTD, MARSH ROAD, MARYLAND-87934				Stamp
		JOHN BROWN, C/O MR. THOMAS JUNE MY LADY PVT.LTD PENNY STREET MARYLAND- 765470.

• Follow the first two points mentioned above in Case #1
• After writing the name of the receiver 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?

ANNE McKENZY, FANCY APT #65, 123, MARSH ROAD, MARYLAND-87934				Stamp
		MR. JACK & MRS. JILL HILL GRACE VILLA PENNY STREET MARYLAND- 765470.

The envelope writing etiquette when writing a letter to a 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?

ANNE McKENZY, FANCY APT #65, 123, MARSH ROAD, MARYLAND-87934				Stamp
		MR. JACK HILL PO BOX 505 PENNY STREET MARYLAND- 765470.

• 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?

ANNE McKENZY, FANCY APT #65, 123, MARSH ROAD, MARYLAND-87934				Stamp
		THE HILL FAMILY PO BOX 505 PENNY STREET MARYLAND- 765470.

When addressing an envelope to a family, you can write the recipient's name as follows:

• The Hill Family
• The Hills

Either of the two can be used when addressing an envelope to a family. In case of multiple last names, you can address them as:

• The Hill and Brown Family
• The Hill/Brown Family

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

ANNE McKENZY, BEE SIMPLE LTD MARSH ROAD MARYLAND-87934.				Stamp
		MR. JOHN BROWN PURCHASE DEPT. MY LADY PVT. LTD 123, PENNY STREET MARYLAND- 765470.

• Follow the first two points mentioned above in Case # 1.
• Begin writing the senders address in the center of the envelope 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.
• If you are not addressing a specific person, omit the name and just mention the name of the department.
• Your envelope addressed to a business is ready. Know more on addressing an envelope formally.

Case #9: How to Address an Envelope to a Widow?

JOHN BROWN, BEE SIMPLE LTD MARSH ROAD MARYLAND-87934.				Stamp
		MRS. JACK HILL GRACE VILLA 123, PENNY STREET MARYLAND- 765470.

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.