You’ve tailored your resume, polished your experience, and now you’re staring at your cover letter—wondering what goes in the header. Should you include your own address? What about the company’s?
Not long ago, full addresses were common in every cover letter. Back when applications were printed and mailed, they served a clear purpose. But times have changed. Most cover letters are now submitted online, read digitally, and written for roles that may not even require a physical presence.
So, in a modern job search, do those address blocks still matter or are they just taking up space?
This guide will walk you through when to include them, when to leave them out, and how to start your cover letter professionally, even if you don’t know who you’re writing to.
Key takeaways
- Putting your address on a cover letter is optional unless the job is formal, government-related, or location-specific.
- Use your city and state to show location fit without sharing your full address.
- Privacy concerns and relocation flexibility are valid reasons to leave your address out.
- The company’s address is rarely needed for digital applications unless requested.
- If it doesn’t add clarity or context, it’s better to leave the company’s address out.
- Prioritize what strengthens your application, not just what tradition suggests.
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Do you need to include an address on a cover letter?
Should you still include your home address on a modern cover letter? That depends on the type of job and your own comfort level.
When it is expected:
- You’re applying for a government, legal, or highly formal role.
- The employer requests full contact details.
- The position is location-specific and you want to confirm you're nearby.
In these cases, a full mailing address can show that you understand industry expectations.
When it's better to leave out:
- You’re applying for a remote, hybrid, or out-of-state role.
- You have privacy concerns.
- You want to avoid location bias or leave relocation options open.
Include just your city and state. This way, you give hiring managers location context without oversharing. If you're applying locally, it subtly reinforces that you're already in the area.
Including the company’s address: Is it just taking up space?
Should you add the company’s address to your cover letter? In most cases, it’s not required, but there are a few exceptions.
When it might still be useful:
- The job is in a highly traditional industry like law, government, or academia.
- You’re submitting a formal PDF or printed letter.
- The employer specifically asks for a full business letter format.
In these situations, including the company’s address can show that you understand professional expectations.
When it’s usually not needed:
- You’re applying through an online portal or email.
- The company is remote or international.
- The job posting doesn’t mention an address or mailing info.
- You’d have to go digging for the HQ address just to fill the space.
In digital applications, formatting may be stripped out entirely, so it’s better to skip the company’s address and use that space to craft a strong, targeted opening paragraph that actually gets read.
Conclusion
Whether or not you include an address on your cover letter won’t make or break your application. What matters more is that your letter feels relevant, intentional, and tailored to the role.
In most cases, you can leave out full addresses—yours and the company’s—unless formality is standard for the role or industry. Use that space instead to write something clear, engaging, and personal.
A great cover letter starts a conversation. Keep it personal. Keep it purposeful.
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Make one that's truly you.
