How to Address a Letter to Married Couple with Different Last Names

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It used to be a simple task, pick the envelope and the card, address the envelope and then drop it in the mail. Addressing envelopes in the past was a pretty straight forward process but nowadays there are various situations that make this a bit more complex. What if a close married couple chose to keep their own last names or a same-sex couple who hasn’t been able to merge their married name? This article will let you know how to address a letter to married couple with different last names so you don’t make any mistakes.

Different Scenarios, Different Addressing

Married Couple

How to address the envelope:

You should use Mr. and Mrs. followed by the husband's first name and then the last name. You can also include the husband's middle name but only if it is written out in full, not initiated.

Example:

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Thomas or Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lee Thomas.

Married Couple with Different Last Names

How to address the envelope:

Write the wife’s name first and then the husband's name on the same line. If their names are too long to fit on the same line, then you can list them separately.

Example:

Mrs. Natalia Evans and Mr. Daniel Bing

Hyphenated Last Names

How to address the envelope:

When the wife has chosen to hyphenate her married name, you should address the envelope as Ms. or Mrs., with her first name and then her hyphenated last name. The husband name will be addressed as Mr. with his full name.

Example:

Mr. Nathan Andrews and Ms. Samantha Davis-Andrews

Unmarried Couple Living Together

How to address the envelope:

Couples who live together should be treated the same as how to address a letter to married couple with different last names. Their names should be written on the same line.

Example:

Mr. Phil Grasse and Mrs. Joanna Smith

Same-Sex Couple

How to address the envelope:

It is up to you which name you put first on the envelope but most often it is best to list them alphabetically.

Example:

Ms. Dana Stevens and Ms. Lisa Marvel 

Married Couple, Both Doctors

How to address the envelope:

You will begin the line with "Doctors" then write the husband's first name followed by the wife’s first name and then the last name.

Example:

Doctors Jason and Rebecca Dawson

Married Couple and Wife is a Doctor

How to address the envelope:

In these cases, the wife’s name should be listed first addressed as "Doctor" and then listing her husband name addressed as Mr.

Example:

Doctor Janice Warren and Mr. John Sanders

Couple with Distinguished Titles

How to address the envelope:

You will address each spouse with their given titles. If their full title and names do not fit on the same line, you can continue on a second line.

Example:

The Honorable Linda Watkins and Captain Liam Bucks, U.S. Navy

Unmarried Woman

How to address the envelope:

Ms. or Miss should be used to address single females followed by their full last name.

Example:

Miss Lynn Dobbs or Ms. Lynn Dobbs

Unmarried Woman with Military Titles

How to address the envelope:

For women who have military titles, you will begin the line with their title followed by their full name and ending with the branch of the military they are a service member of.

Example:

Staff Sergeant Alexis Johns, U.S Marines

Unmarried Man

How to Address the envelope:

Men who are unmarried should be addressed as Mr. followed by their first and last name.

Example:

Mr. Leonardo Cooper

Unmarried Man with Military Titles

How to address the envelope:

You will want to address the men with military titles the same way you would address the women, starting with their rank title, followed by their first and last name and then ending with the branch they are servicing.

Example:

Staff Sergeant, Charles James, U.S Marines

Divorced Women Who Uses Her Married Name

How to address the envelope:

If the wife has chosen to keep her married name, you would take the same approach as done with how to address a letter to married couple with different last names. You can still address the envelope with Mrs. or Ms. but it is recommended to ask what she prefers.

Example:

Mrs. Debra Jones or Ms. Debra Jones

Divorced Women Who Uses Her Maiden Name

How to address the envelope:

You would address the envelope to someone who is divorced as you would address it to any other unmarried woman. Begin the line with Ms. or Miss followed by her name.

Example:

Miss Bethany Townsend or Ms. Bethany Townsend

Widow

How to address the envelope:

Widowed women may choose to be addressed using their late husband’s or spouse’s first name while some like to be addressed using their own first name. In either scenario, you will begin the line with the title Mrs.

Example:

Mrs. Jacob Lanterns or Mrs. Jane Lanterns