White House Greetings Office: Qualifying Occasions and How to Apply

The White House Greetings Office sends free cards and letters from the President to mark milestones like major birthdays, 50th and later wedding anniversaries, weddings, the birth of a child, graduations, religious milestones, Eagle Scout and Girl Scout Gold Award achievements, retirements, and condolences. You request one yourself through the form at whitehouse.gov/greetings, at no cost, at least six weeks before the event.¹ The recipient generally needs to be a U.S. citizen.²

Occasions That Qualify

The online form lists the categories the office recognizes:³

Birthdays, typically starting at age 80 for civilians. At least one congressional office indicates veterans may qualify starting at 70.¹
Wedding anniversaries at the 50th and every year after.²
Weddings.
Birth of a child, requested after the baby arrives.
Graduations from high school, college or higher, and service academies.
Spiritual milestones including baptisms, christenings, confirmations, first communions, bar mitzvahs, and bat mitzvahs, with a write-in option for other religious events.
Eagle Scout and Girl Scout Gold Award.
Retirements, including general, civilian federal agency, first responder, and law enforcement.
Condolences, which require a link to an obituary and the date of death.

Graduations and spiritual milestones are the ones most people don’t realize are covered. A parent of a high school senior or a child preparing for first communion can request a letter as easily as someone arranging one for a grandparent’s 80th.

Who Is Eligible

The recipient must be a United States citizen.² Beyond citizenship, the thresholds that catch people out are the birthday age (80 for civilians, 70 for veterans by some congressional guidance)¹ and the anniversary floor of 50 years. Baby birth greetings are for children born during the current presidential administration.

One boundary is worth flagging. Military retirements aren’t handled through the White House form; they go through the retiree’s service branch. The Department of Defense issues Presidential Letters of Appreciation for military or Defense Department civilian retirees with 30 or more years of creditable service.⁴ Civilian retirements from federal agencies, first responder roles, and law enforcement do go through the White House form.³

What to Have Ready Before You Submit

The form walks you through everything, but pulling these details together first will save time:³

The recipient’s full name and preferred prefix (Mr., Mrs., Dr., military rank). It appears on the card as you enter it.
Mailing address, including street, city, state, and ZIP.
The exact date and type of the event.
Occasion-specific details. Baby birth requests need the child’s name and both parents’ full names. Graduation requests ask whether it is high school, college, or a service academy. Condolence requests need a link to the obituary.
Your own name and contact information in case the office needs to follow up.

There is no fee at any point.³

Timing and Delivery

Submit at least six weeks before the event.¹ When possible, greetings are mailed about 10 to 14 days before the occasion so the card arrives on time.² Baby birth greetings are sent after the event, since the request itself can only go in after the child is born.

Cards arrive by regular U.S. mail. The office doesn’t provide tracking or status updates, so there is no way to check on a request once you’ve submitted it.

If Your Occasion Doesn’t Qualify

Congressional offices offer their own commendation letters for occasions the White House doesn’t cover, or for people who don’t meet the presidential thresholds. A 75-year-old’s birthday wouldn’t qualify for a presidential card but might qualify for a letter from a senator or representative. Categories vary by office and can include awards, graduations, citizenship ceremonies, and other achievements. Contact your representative’s office directly to ask what they issue and whether your occasion fits.¹

1
Congressman Jamie Raskin. Presidential Greetings and Congressional Commendations
2
U.S. House of Representatives. Presidential Greetings
3
The White House. Presidential Greetings
4
Executive Services Directorate. Presidential Letters of Appreciation