1
HOW TO ADDRESS JUSTICES AND JUDGES IN YOUR CORRESPONDENCE
The following information should help you in addressing correctly your letters and
envelopes to judges and justices in various courts. Outside of the Supreme Court, always use
“The Honorable (full name)” in your correspondence.
Addressee Address on letter and envelope Salutation
FEDERAL COURTS
U.S. Supreme Court:
The Chief Justice The Honorable (full name) Dear Chief Justice (surname):
Chief Justice of the United
States
The United States Supreme Court
Address
Associate Justice The Honorable (full name) Dear Justice (surname):
Associate Justice, The United States Supreme Court
Address
U.S. Court of Appeals:
Chief Judge The Honorable (full name) Dear Chief Judge (surname):
Chief Judge, United States Court
of Appeals for the X Circuit
Address
Judge or Senior Judge The Honorable (full name) Dear Judge (surname):
U. S. Court of Appeals for
the ___ Circuit
Address
U.S. District Court:
Chief Judge The Honorable (full name) Dear Chief Judge (surname):
Chief Judge, U. S. District Court
for the X District of X
Address
Judge or Senior Judge The Honorable (full name) Dear Judge (surname):
U. S. District Court for the X District of X
Address
2
Other Federal Courts (including magistrates, bankruptcy judges, etc.):
Chief Judge The Honorable (full name) Dear Chief Judge (surname):
Chief Judge, (name of court)
Address
Judge or Senior Judge The Honorable (full name) Dear Judge (surname):
Name of Court
Address
Address
Bankruptcy Judge The Honorable (full name) Dear Judge (surname):
Name of Court
Address
Magistrate Judge The Honorable (full name) Dear Judge (surname):
Magistrate Judge
Name of Court
Address
Addressee Address on letter and envelope Salutation
STATE COURTS [Note: States may vary on titles of judges. Check with court or
various state court resources to determine proper address and salutation forms,
particularly for
Chief Judges/Chief Justices.]
All Appellate Courts (some states have appellate as well as supreme courts):
Chief Justice The Honorable (full name) Dear Chief Justice (surname):
Chief Justice, Supreme Court
of the State (Commonwealth) of
(state name)
Address
Justice The Honorable (full name) Dear Justice (surname):
Associate Justice, Supreme Court for the State
(Commonwealth) of (state name)
Address
3
Other State Courts (including trial and superior courts):
Chief Judge The Honorable (full name) Dear Chief Judge (surname):
Chief Judge, Name of Court
Address
Judge The Honorable (full name) Dear Judge (surname):
Name of Court
Address
