Accéder à du contenu similaire en français
Du contenu similaire en français est présenté dans l’article Lettre : nature de l’envoi et mode d’acheminement. Pour plus d’information sur la correspondance en français, veuillez consulter la page Correspondance et adressage – Règles et difficultés.
Section: Correspondence and addresses
Go to the main page of this section: Correspondence and addresses – Guidelines and resources.
On this page
- When to use an addressee or delivery notation
- How to format an addressee or delivery notation
- Where to place an addressee or delivery notation
- Additional information
When to use an addressee or delivery notation
Addressee and delivery notations are optional parts of a business letter.
Addressee notation
An addressee notation is used to indicate that the message is intended to be read only by the addressee (that is, the person it is addressed to).
It includes the following notations:
- PERSONAL (indicates that the letter must not be opened by anyone other than the addressee)
- CONFIDENTIAL (indicates that the contents must not be disclosed)
Delivery notation
A delivery notation is used to indicate a delivery method other than regular mail. It includes notations such as the following:
- BY PRIORITY POST (indicates faster delivery than by regular mail)
- BY REGISTERED MAIL (indicates that the mail carrier must obtain the receiver’s signature as proof of delivery)
- VIA AIRMAIL
- BY EMAIL
- BY COURIER
- VIA FAX
How to format an addressee or delivery notation
The addressee or delivery notation should be in bold font and preferably in capital letters, although it may also be in title case (that is, with a capital on the first word and on any major word):
- PERSONAL
- BY FAX
- Personal and Confidential
- By Registered Mail
Where to place an addressee or delivery notation
Put an addressee or delivery notation at the left margin, on the second line below the date line, where the reader would probably look first upon opening the letter:
May 5, 2021
PERSONAL
If you have both an addressee and a delivery notation, you may prefer to put the delivery notation at the bottom of the letter, on the second line below the signature block (or on the second line below any reference initials or enclosure notation). In that case, don’t use bold font for the delivery notation:
John Graham
Technical Advisor
Enc. Cheque
By Registered Mail
See the article Business letters: Model letter in recommended format. Note that an addressee or delivery notation that appears in a letter should also appear on the envelope. However, it should not be bolded on the envelope. (See Envelope: Model showing recommended format.)
Additional information
Avis de droit d’auteur pour l’outil Writing Tips Plus
© Sa Majesté le Roi du chef du Canada, représenté par le ou la ministre des Services publics et de l’Approvisionnement
Un outil créé et mis en ligne par le Bureau de la traduction, Services publics et Approvisionnement Canada
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Liens connexes
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