11 Best Ways to End a “To Whom It May Concern” Letter

When you don’t know a letter recipient’s name, you’re probably wondering about the best ways to end it. “To whom it may concern” has some specific endings that relate to it.

We’ll help you understand the best ways to end a letter to an unknown recipient, such as:

• Respectfully yours
• Yours faithfully
• Faithfully
• Respectfully
• Thank you
• Sincerely
• Truthfully
• All the best
• Kindest regards
• Best regards
• Warm regards

The best ways to end a “to whom it may concern letter” are “respectfully yours,” “yours faithfully,” and “faithfully.” These are the best to remain respectful. Following formal grammar rules, “faithfully” is the most appropriate term to use at the end of a letter when you don’t know the recipient.

1. Respectfully Yours

“Respectfully yours” is a polite way to end a formal letter. It works especially well when you don’t know the recipient’s name. It shows you offer them nothing but respect, even though you don’t know who might receive your letter.

You will use “to whom it may concern” when sending a letter to an establishment or collective. You do this to show you don’t know who is in charge of reading or responding to letters.

“Respectfully yours” shows you are still respectful without needing to list someone’s name in the introduction.

• To whom it may concern,
• I am writing this letter to find out more about the situation. Do you have anything to tell me?
• Respectfully yours,
• Duncan Morrison

2. Yours faithfully

“Yours faithfully” is the formal phrase that closes most letters when you don’t know someone’s name. Traditionally, “faithfully” and “yours faithfully” are the only appropriate letter closers, making them some of the best choices to use.

As letters have lost popularity in favour of emails, “yours faithfully” isn’t as important as it used to be. Most recipients don’t know the differences between “faithfully,” “sincerely,” and “truthfully,” so you’ll find them working synonymously.

“Faithfully” should be the form you use, but it doesn’t matter as much anymore if you use something else.

• To whom it may concern,
• I appreciate your taking the time to contact me. I hope this is the right place to send this letter.
• Yours faithfully,
• Jonathan Watkins

3. Faithfully

“Faithfully” is an alternative to “yours faithfully” that works well. You don’t need to include “yours” in a letter signature when being formal and polite. Some argue that removing “yours” makes the closer less personal.

“Faithfully” is more appropriate without “yours” when you’re not sending a positive letter. For example, if you’re writing a complaint, you may want to use “faithfully” without “yours” to show that you’re not all that happy about the letter’s content.

• To whom it may concern,
• I regret to inform you that I have had a bad experience working with your company. I will not return.
• Faithfully,
• Peter Sheffield

4. Respectfully

“Respectfully” is a decent synonym that works as a letter closer here. You should use it to give your respect to the recipient of the letter after “to whom it may concern.” You do not need to know someone’s name to be “respectful” to them.

It’s a decent choice to use this without “yours.” “Respectfully yours” works well, but “respectfully” on its own still conveys the same positive and polite tone. It’s good to use in most formal letters.

• To whom it may concern,
• I would like to know if there’s anything I can do to change your verdict. I hope we can work on this together.
• Respectfully,
• Mariah Jenkins

5. Thank You

“Thank you” is a simple closer that works in formal and informal letters starting with “to whom it may concern.” You should use this when you have something to be thankful for. Check through the letter first to make sure you are grateful for something.

For example, if you have requested someone’s help, “thank you” might be appropriate. Similarly, if a company has done something nice to help you, “thank you” might work even if you don’t know who you’re sending the letter to.

• To whom it may concern,
• I appreciate all the help this company has given me so far. Is there any way you can keep helping me?
• Thank you,
• Paul Benatar

6. Sincerely

“Sincerely” works well, but it’s not the most popular choice for a letter closer without knowing someone’s name. Remember, “to whom it may concern” means you don’t know the recipient of the letter. Technically, “truthfully” is the only correct phrase.

With that said, letter rules have changed in recent years. Many native speakers don’t know the differences between “truthfully” and “sincerely.” You may use “sincerely” to sign a positive and formal letter, even if you don’t know someone’s name.

It’s not the recommended choice. Most formal writers will tell you that it’s wrong as well. Nevertheless, it’s becoming more popular today as traditional rules are forgotten.

• To whom it may concern,
• You have not heard the last from me about this. I will raise this with my superiors to find out what I can do.
• Sincerely,
• Patricia Taylor

7. Truthfully

“Truthfully” is a variation of “yours truthfully.” It removes “yours” to appear slightly less personal while still sharing a respectful and polite tone. It’s a great choice when you do not see the most positive news in a letter, as it shows that you might not be happy about the letter’s content.

Again, removing “yours” is great when writing complaints to a company. It shows you don’t want to include “yours” in the closer because you do not feel like the company has warranted a more personal touch from you.

• To whom it may concern,
• I believe you have overlooked some key facts about this. Hopefully, we can work on this together to solve the issue.
• Truthfully,
• Sarah Cunningham

8. All the Best

“All the best” is a simple letter closer that works well in many situations. You can use it if you don’t know the recipient’s name because it still shows you’re happy to wish them the “best.” This is a positive phrase to end any letter with.

Naturally, since “all the best” is so positive, it wouldn’t be wise to use it to close a negative letter. For example, if you’re telling someone off for their conduct or writing a complaint, ending a letter with “all the best” might look cheeky, rude, or out of place.

• To whom it may concern,
• We do not have to discuss these matters over a letter. I’d be happy to come to the office if you directed me to whom I should contact.
• All the best,
• Martha Walsh

9. Kindest Regards

“Kindest regards” is a great letter closer showing you wish someone the best regards whether you know their name or not. You do not have to know someone personally to give them your kindest regards. It is a simple formal closer that works well.

“Kindest regards” works best in formal letters. You won’t often hear people using “regards” in the same manner informally, as it sounds a bit strange to most informal writers. Nevertheless, it’s still a great phrase that works well here.

• To whom it may concern,
• You have done me a lot of favours in the past. I would like to return the favour to this company.
• Kindest regards,
• Jessica Fell

10. Best Regards

“Best regards” follows similar ideas to “kindest regards.” You should use it to offer someone your best wishes as you close an email. Again, you do not have to know someone’s name to use a phrase like “Best regards.”

Formal emails benefit the most from phrases like “best regards.” “Best” is the superlative or “good,” showing you couldn’t offer better regards if you tried. This is great to use when you want to wish someone well and want to appear friendly and polite.

• To whom it may concern,
• Please find attached one of the files that I was telling you about. I hope it’s what you were looking for.
• Best regards,
• Andrew Weatherdown

11. Warm Regards

“Warm regards” is slightly different from the other superlative forms. “Warm” is not a superlative adjective. You can use it when you are offering someone your regards without needing to go over the top with how “kind” or “good” they are.

While “kindest regards” shows the recipient you can’t be kinder, “warm regards” simply shows you are being positive. You should use this when you don’t know who is receiving your letter or how positively it will be received.

• To whom it may concern,
• Have you thought any more about my solution? I believe it’s the best thing to do in this situation.
• Warm regards,
• Abigail Russon