Q&A for How to Address a Letter to a Government Official

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How can I write a letter to an official if I am 12-years-old?

Community Answer

There is no age requirement to write to an official. As long as you are clear with your intent and your topic, you may write to the official. Locate their official mailing address, be sure you are addressing the right person, and write away.

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Is it OK to mail a letter about an an idea I have to help the area?

Community Answer

Yes. You might want to check the government's website to see if it already covered that topic.

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Question

How do I write a letter of appreciation to a governor?

Community Answer

The first paragraph of your letter would be to give reference to the event, activity or incident you are referring to. In your second paragraph, relate the objective of the program, project or activity of your company where the assistance or support provided by the governor has contributed to its accomplishment, and that such gesture is highly appreciated. End your letter with giving thanks for their support and cooperation on matters of mutual concern.

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Question

Can I use "sir" for the salutation?

Community Answer

Sir or Madam is appropriate.

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Question

Should I address several officials in the same cover letter or should there be individualized cover letters?

Community Answer

Preferably individualized, or make a general category and list names on the letter.

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Question

Can I use "Dear" for the salutation or should I use "To Mr. so and so"?

Community Answer

"Dear" is appropriate. However, it would be best to use the official's title instead of Mr. or Mrs.

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Question

How do I compose a letter to get a bill passed?

Community Answer

You can't get a bill passed with a letter. You can send a letter to your congressperson. Use a formal letter format and state your case clearly with supporting arguments. Make sure your spelling and grammar are correct and clean so your words will be taken seriously.

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Question

Should I include a date in the letter head?

Community Answer

Yes, always.

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Question

Will a government official respond to my letters if I write them?

Community Answer

Usually, yes, though it depends on the representative. It will probably be someone on their staff that responds to you, though, rather than the official themselves.

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Can I tell a government official my ideas to help them?

Community Answer

Yes! Government officials are accountable to the people they represent and sending your ideas will be a great help to them as an official.

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Question

Should a letter be an attachment or as body of email when addressing it to a government official?

Community Answer

If you want to contact a government official electronically, look for a contact form on their website or the website of their office and fill it out completely. They prefer this to receiving emails for security reasons, and probably don't make their email addresses public.

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Question

Do I need to write my own address on the letter, as well as the envelope?

Community Answer

It is a good idea in case they separate the letter from the envelope and want to write back to you. Good practice is to always include your own address on any official letter.

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Question

Where do I put the date of the letter?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Place it near the upper-right corner of the letter.

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Question

I by mistake used "Hello, ____!". This is bad. I have to write formally, but it's already sent, so is it OK? Should I leave it?

Afnan Fozail

Community Answer

You can send the same email again, but remove the "Hello, _____!" and write "Dear _____," so that it's formal.

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Question

Can I type my letter and print it out? Or does it have to be written?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Typing/printing is permitted.

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