When you need to mail a letter to a family, there are a few things to keep in mind. The top of the list should be how to address the envelope correctly so that it ends up in the right hands. Here’s a guide on how to do it.
Proper Way to Address an Envelope to a Family
When addressing an envelope to a family, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
- Make sure to use the correct form of address. You should use “The Family Name” or “The Smiths” rather than just “Smith.”
- List all the members of the family on the envelope. This includes the parents and all of the children.
- Be sure to use the correct titles for each family member. Use “Mr.” for the father, “Mrs.” for the mother, and “Miss” or “Ms.” for any unmarried daughters or sons.
- Be sure to use the full name of each family member. This includes the first and last name, as well as any middle names they may have.
What if You Don’t Know the Gender of the Child?
If you don’t know the gender of the child, it’s best to use a gender-neutral title like “The Family.” You can also use the child’s name if you know it.
Here’s an example:
The Family
(Name of Child)
123 Main Street
Anytown, CA 99999
How to List Children’s Names on an Envelope
You want to make sure to list all of the children’s names on the envelope, in the order that they appear in the family. So, if there are three kids in the family, your address would look something like this:
The Jones Family
123 Elm Street
Anytown, CA 90210
If there are four kids, the address would look like this:
The Jones Family
123 Elm Street
Anytown, CA 90210
The Smith Kids
456 Pine Street
Anytown, CA 90210
What Is the Proper Way to Address a Family With Multiple Last Names?
When you’re addressing an envelope to a family with multiple last names, it can be a bit tricky to know which name to use as the primary. Do you go by the husband’s last name? The wife’s last name? The child’s last name?
Here’s a breakdown of how to address an envelope to a family with multiple last names:
- The husband’s last name should be used as the primary name, and it should be written first. So if the husband’s last name is Smith, the envelope should say “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”.
- If the wife’s last name is different than her husband’s (for example, if she uses her maiden name as her last name), then her name should be listed as the primary. So if the wife’s last name is Johnson and the husband’s last name is Smith, the envelope should say “Mrs. Johnson and Mr. Smith”.
- If there are children in the family with different last names than their parents, then the child’s last name should be used as the primary. So if the child’s last name is Brown and the parents’ last names are Smith and Johnson, the envelope should say “Mr. and Mrs. Brown and Child Brown”.
How to Address an Envelope if the Family Has Moved
If the family has moved, you’ll need to include their new address on the envelope.
Start by finding out where they’ve moved to. Once you have that information, write the street number, name, and suburb/town exactly as it appears on their mail. You don’t need to include the state or postcode.
If there’s a unit number, write it after the street number, separated by a hyphen. If there’s a building name, write it after the suburb/town. If the family lives in a rural area, write “Rural” after the suburb/town.
Here’s an example:
The Smiths
9 Acacia Ave
Moorooka QLD 4105
Rural
How to Address an Envelope if the Family Has Changed Their Name
It can be a little tricky to know how to address an envelope if the family has changed their name but don’t worry, we’re here to help.
If the last name of the family has changed, then you should use the name of the head of the household on the envelope. So, if John and Jane Doe have divorced and John is now living with his new wife Angela, you would address the envelope to Angela Doe.
If the children live with their other parent, then you would use the name of that parent on the envelope. So, if John and Jane Doe have divorced and John and Jane are now living with their respective new partners, you would address the envelope to Jane and Bob Smith.
Conclusion
Take the time to properly format the addresses of your loved ones. It will make them feel special, and they’ll appreciate the extra effort you put in to mail them something handwritten.
