Forms of Address
How to address an ambassador
A US ambassador is addressed as "The Honorable [Full Name], Ambassador of the United States" on the envelope. The salutation is "Dear Mr./Madam Ambassador:" and the same short form is used in conversation. A foreign ambassador to the US uses "His/Her Excellency" in place of The Honorable in many diplomatic contexts.
Checked September 10, 2026/6 min read
Written by Claire PostReviewed against USPS Publication 28
What is on this page6 sections
An ambassador title sits at the intersection of two conventions that do not always agree with each other: American domestic protocol, which favors The Honorable for nearly every high office, and international diplomatic protocol, which favors His/Her Excellency for a foreign ambassador specifically.
Both are correct, and which one to use often comes down to context rather than a hard rule: domestic US correspondence leans one way, formal diplomatic channels lean the other, and the salutation, Mr./Madam Ambassador, stays the same regardless of which opening you choose.
Step by step
Start with The Honorable and the full name, for a US ambassador
Then "Ambassador of the United States" or "American Ambassador to [Country]" as the office line, depending on whether the letter is addressed domestically or sent to the embassy abroad.
THE HONORABLE SAMUEL O ADEYEMIAMBASSADOR OF THE UNITED STATESUS DEPARTMENT OF STATE2201 C ST NWWASHINGTON DC 20520CorrectStandard envelope format for a US ambassador, addressed domestically. Use His/Her Excellency for a foreign ambassador to the US, in formal contexts
Many diplomatic and international contexts use "His Excellency" or "Her Excellency" before the name for a foreign ambassador, in place of The Honorable. Domestic US correspondence sometimes uses The Honorable instead; both are broadly accepted for a foreign ambassador.
Use Mr./Madam Ambassador in the salutation and in conversation
"Dear Mr. Ambassador:" or "Dear Madam Ambassador:" applies to both US and foreign ambassadors. The same short form is used when speaking to them directly.
Know that a retired or former ambassador often keeps the courtesy title
"Ambassador" is commonly retained as a courtesy title for life after leaving the post, similar to Judge, even though the formal office line is dropped from the envelope.
Quick reference
| Who | Envelope opens with | Salutation |
|---|---|---|
| US Ambassador | The Honorable [Full Name] | Dear Mr./Madam Ambassador: |
| Foreign Ambassador to the US | His/Her Excellency [Full Name] | Dear Mr./Madam Ambassador: |
| Retired/Former Ambassador | The Honorable [Full Name] (courtesy) | Dear Ambassador [Last Name]: |
| Goodwill Ambassador (non-diplomatic role) | [Personal title] [Full Name] | Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name]: |
Special cases
The rule above covers most people. Here is what changes for the rest.
Is a Goodwill Ambassador, like a UN Goodwill Ambassador, addressed the same way as a diplomatic ambassador?
No. A Goodwill Ambassador is an honorary, non-diplomatic title, often held by a public figure, and does not use The Honorable, Excellency, or the formal diplomatic salutation. Address them with their own personal or professional title instead.
Which form should I use if I am not sure whether His/Her Excellency or The Honorable is expected?
For domestic US correspondence, The Honorable is generally safe for any ambassador, foreign or American. For anything sent through diplomatic or international channels, His/Her Excellency is the more universally recognized formal choice for a foreign ambassador specifically.
Key terms on this page
- The Honorable
- A courtesy title used before the full name of a current or former holder of a high government office, including a US ambassador.
- Excellency
- A formal diplomatic honorific, "His Excellency" or "Her Excellency," used internationally before the name of a foreign ambassador or head of state.
