How to address an ambassador depends on two things: whether you are writing or speaking, and whether the ambassador represents the United States or a foreign country. Foreign ambassadors are formally addressed as “Your Excellency” in writing. U.S. ambassadors take “The Honorable” on the envelope. In person, both are addressed the same way: “Mr. Ambassador,” “Madam Ambassador,” or “Ambassador [Surname].”
Writing to a Foreign Ambassador
On the envelope or address block, use this form:
- His/Her Excellency [Full Name]
- The Ambassador of [Country]
- The Embassy of [Country]
- [Street Address, City, State, ZIP]
The U.S. Foreign Affairs Manual limits address blocks to five single-spaced lines flush left, so combine the embassy name and street address if you need to.1U.S. Department of State. 5 FAH-1 H-420 Preparing Letters
Inside the letter, any of these salutations is correct: “Your Excellency:” on its own line, “Dear Ambassador:” or “Dear Ambassador [Surname]:”.2The Emily Post Institute. Official Forms of Address: Diplomatic Do not stack them. Writing “Your Excellency Ambassador John Smith” is a common error and does not appear in any major protocol guide. Pick one form.
Close with “Yours faithfully” or “Yours sincerely.” In the body of the letter, use “Ambassador [Surname]” or “Mr./Madam Ambassador” rather than repeating “Excellency” throughout.
Writing to a U.S. Ambassador
American ambassadors follow a different convention. On the envelope, use “The Honorable”:3U.S. Department of State. How to Address Officers at U.S. Missions Overseas
- The Honorable [Full Name]
- Ambassador of the United States of America
- [Embassy Address]
The salutation inside the letter is “Dear Mr./Madam Ambassador:”. The United States does not use “Excellency” for its own ambassadors.2The Emily Post Institute. Official Forms of Address: Diplomatic The same salutation works for email. Keep the subject line short and the tone as formal as a printed letter.
Speaking to an Ambassador
In conversation, the greeting for any ambassador is “Mr. Ambassador,” “Madam Ambassador,” or “Ambassador [Surname].” That holds at formal receptions, private meetings, and casual encounters. Some countries use “Excellency” in direct speech, but as a U.S. citizen you address even foreign chiefs of mission as “Mr./Madam Ambassador.”4U.S. Department of State. Protocol for the Modern Diplomat
If the ambassador holds a doctoral or medical degree, the ambassadorial title takes priority when speaking. On a business card the academic credential may follow the name, such as “Ambassador Jane Doe, PhD,” but in conversation you still say “Ambassador Doe” or “Madam Ambassador,” not “Dr. Doe.”4U.S. Department of State. Protocol for the Modern Diplomat
Use courtesy titles until the ambassador invites you to use a first name. The State Department’s protocol guide says first-name address should come only by special invitation or long friendship, and even then, not in public.4U.S. Department of State. Protocol for the Modern Diplomat
Introducing an Ambassador
The ambassador outranks nearly everyone in the room. Everyone except a head of state is presented to the ambassador, meaning you say the ambassador’s name and title first and then introduce the other person.4U.S. Department of State. Protocol for the Modern Diplomat For a formal spoken introduction of a U.S. ambassador, use the full formula: “The Honorable [Full Name], Ambassador of the United States of America to [Country].”2The Emily Post Institute. Official Forms of Address: Diplomatic
When to Use “The Honorable”
“The Honorable” is a written and introductory prefix for U.S. ambassadors. It belongs on envelopes, on formal invitations, and in spoken introductions when presenting the ambassador to a group. You never say it directly to the ambassador. In conversation, it is always “Mr./Madam Ambassador” or “Ambassador [Surname],” never “The Honorable [Name].”5U.S. Department of the Navy. Social Usage and Protocol Handbook
Retired or Former Ambassadors
A retired U.S. ambassador keeps “The Honorable” on envelopes for life. The written address is “The Honorable [Full Name]” followed by the mailing address, without the ambassadorial post.6Gerald R. Ford Museum. American Ambassadors, Ministers, Etc. The salutation is “Dear Ambassador [Surname]:”, the same as for a sitting ambassador.
In conversation, “Ambassador [Surname]” remains a widely accepted courtesy, and most former ambassadors welcome it. Technically the retired officeholder’s own preference governs. If a retired ambassador has moved into a new role, that new title may be the one they prefer. When in doubt, “Ambassador [Surname]” is the safe default.
Ambassadors’ Spouses and Partners
A spouse does not inherit the ambassador’s title. Address the spouse by their own courtesy title and surname: “Mr. Jones,” “Mrs. Jones,” or “Ms. Williams” if the spouse kept a different surname. For indirect reference, the State Department suggests phrasing like “the Ambassador and Mr. Jones” or “the Ambassador and his wife, Ms. Williams.”4U.S. Department of State. Protocol for the Modern Diplomat
If the spouse holds an independent title, whether military rank, a doctorate, or a separate government position, use that title. A spouse who is an Army colonel is “Colonel [Surname],” not “Mrs. Ambassador.” At a formal event, introduce the ambassador first, then the spouse by their own title.
The Safe Default
The most common mistake is over-complicating things. If you cannot remember whether a particular ambassador prefers “Excellency” or “Mr. Ambassador,” use “Ambassador [Surname].” No ambassador has ever been offended by being called “Ambassador.”