Letter With Thru: Format Guide + Free Template!

Understanding and Formatting a "Letter With Thru"

A "letter with thru" signifies a situation where one person is sending a letter via another person. It’s essentially routing the letter through an intermediary, and this fact is noted on the letter itself for clarity. Proper formatting is important for transparency and record-keeping. Let’s break down the components and layout.

Key Elements of a "Letter With Thru"

This type of letter requires specific notations to indicate the routing process. Failure to include these can lead to confusion about the letter’s origin and intended recipient.

• The Sender’s Information: This is the person actually sending the letter. Their full name and address should be included at the top.
• The "Thru" Designation: This clearly indicates who the letter is being routed through.
• The Intermediary’s Information: This is the person facilitating the delivery. Their full name and address must be stated directly after the "Thru" designation.
• The Intended Recipient’s Information: This is the ultimate receiver of the letter. Their full name and address should be placed after the intermediary’s information.
• The Body of the Letter: Contains the actual message being conveyed.
• Closing and Signature: Standard closing remarks followed by the sender’s signature and typed name.

Formatting the Letterhead & Addresses

The placement of the sender, intermediary ("Thru"), and recipient’s addresses is crucial.

Sender’s Address

This goes at the very top, typically aligned to the left or centered.

"Thru" Designation

Immediately following the sender’s address comes the "Thru" designation. It is written on a separate line, either left-aligned or indented slightly. You can use "Thru:", "Via:", or "C/O:" (Care Of:) – all are acceptable.

Intermediary’s Address

This follows directly after the "Thru" designation. Their full name and address should be placed on subsequent lines, properly formatted as a standard address.

Recipient’s Address

The recipient’s address is placed after the intermediary’s address. This follows the same format as a standard address and is vital for the correct delivery path.

Address Placement Example

Here’s an example of how the address section should look:

[Sender's Full Name]
[Sender's Street Address]
[Sender's City, State, Zip Code]

Thru:
[Intermediary's Full Name]
[Intermediary's Street Address]
[Intermediary's City, State, Zip Code]

[Recipient's Full Name]
[Recipient's Street Address]
[Recipient's City, State, Zip Code]

Salutation & Body

The salutation should address the intended recipient, not the intermediary.

Salutation Example

"Dear [Recipient’s Name],"

Body Content

The body of the letter contains the message. It should be clear and concise. While this is still a formal letter, the tone might slightly differ based on your relationship with the intended recipient, or the purpose of the letter.

Formatting the Body

Standard business letter formatting applies:

• Single-spaced within paragraphs.
• Double-spaced between paragraphs.

Closing and Signature

Use a professional closing. "Sincerely," "Respectfully," or "Best regards," are all appropriate.

Signature Block

• Leave several lines for your signature.
• Type your full name below the signature line. This should be the same name used in the sender’s address at the top.

Free Template for a "Letter With Thru"

Below is a simple text-based template you can copy and paste to get started. Remember to replace the bracketed information with the correct details.

[Sender's Full Name]
[Sender's Street Address]
[Sender's City, State, Zip Code]

Thru:
[Intermediary's Full Name]
[Intermediary's Street Address]
[Intermediary's City, State, Zip Code]

[Recipient's Full Name]
[Recipient's Street Address]
[Recipient's City, State, Zip Code]

Dear [Recipient's Name],

[Body of the letter - single spaced within paragraphs, double spaced between]

Sincerely,

[Leave space for signature]

[Sender's Typed Full Name]

Examples of When To Use a "Letter With Thru"

• Military Mail: When sending mail to someone in the military, it often needs to go through a specific military postal service address.
• Corporate Routing: Internal communications within a large company might be routed through a specific department or manager.
• Legal Situations: Legal documents might be sent "thru" a lawyer or legal representative.
• Confidentiality: If a sender doesn’t want their address known to the recipient, they might send the letter through a trusted third party.

Alright, go forth and craft some awesome letters with thru! I hope this template and guide helps you nail it every time.