Forms of Address
How to address a US Representative
A US Representative is addressed as "The Honorable [Full Name], United States House of Representatives" on the envelope. The salutation is "Dear Representative [Last Name]:" though "Dear Congressman [Last Name]:" or "Dear Congresswoman [Last Name]:" are also widely accepted alternatives.
Checked September 10, 2026/5 min read
Written by Claire PostReviewed against USPS Publication 28
What is on this page6 sections
The House of Representatives is the one office on this site with two equally correct salutations sitting side by side: the gender-neutral “Representative” and the more traditional, gender-specific “Congressman” or “Congresswoman.” Neither is more correct than the other.
Everything else about the format follows the same pattern as a senator: The Honorable, the full name, the chamber office line, and the chamber own Washington, DC ZIP code.
Step by step
Start with The Honorable and the full name
Then "United States House of Representatives" as the office line, followed by the House own Washington, DC ZIP code, 20515, distinct from the Senate ZIP.
THE HONORABLE MARIA T OKAFORUNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESWASHINGTON DC 20515CorrectStandard envelope format for a member of the House. Choose Representative or Congressman/Congresswoman in the salutation
"Dear Representative [Last Name]:" is the formally neutral option. "Dear Congressman [Last Name]:" or "Dear Congresswoman [Last Name]:" are equally accepted and commonly used, especially in the member own district.
Use the same form in conversation
Whichever salutation form you chose applies the same way in person: "Representative [Last Name]" or "Congressman/Congresswoman [Last Name]."
Mail the district office instead, for constituent matters
Like senators, representatives maintain a local district office, which is often more appropriate than the Washington, DC address for anything specific to a constituent request.
Quick reference
| Form | Salutation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Representative | Dear Representative [Last Name]: | Formally neutral, always correct |
| Congressman | Dear Congressman [Last Name]: | Common, gender-specific |
| Congresswoman | Dear Congresswoman [Last Name]: | Common, gender-specific |
| Former Representative | Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name]: | Office line dropped after leaving office |
Special cases
The rule above covers most people. Here is what changes for the rest.
Is Congressman or Congresswoman ever considered incorrect or outdated?
No, both remain in wide, accepted use, including by members themselves. "Representative" is simply the gender-neutral option when you are unsure which the person prefers, or when writing about the office in general rather than to a specific person.
Does a non-voting delegate, like from DC or a US territory, use the same title?
Delegates are generally addressed the same way, The Honorable and Representative or Delegate depending on local convention, though their formal office title differs slightly from a full voting member. Confirm the delegate own preferred form if writing officially.
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 sitting or former Representative.
- District office
- A Representative local office in their home district, often the more direct channel for constituent correspondence than the Washington, DC office.
