Translation of 'to whom it may concern'

Question

In English, "To whom it may concern" is a generic starter to a letter implying that the letter is addressed to anyone for whom the letter is relevant.

For a bit of context, I had to ask someone in France for a document confirming my workplace, and was thinking how I would word such a document in English. In English I would have started with "To whom it may concern" whereas the document I was given used a different approach "ATTESTATION", but it did get me thinking!

Answer 1

In French, to address a letter to whom it may concern I would use:

Madame, Monsieur

Inside the text of the letter, you could use the à qui de droit translation:

• You should forward this letter to whom it may concern

• Vous pouvez transférer cette lettre à qui de droit

source: Banque de dépannage linguistique de l'Office québecois de la langue française

Answer 2

In French, it's not correct to adress a letter « à qui de droit » (« to whom it may concern »).

It is preferable tu use « Madame, Monsieur, » (« Dear Sir or Madam ») if there is one person or « Mesdames, Messieurs, » (« Ladies and Gentlemen, » but this translation is rather awkward) if there are several people, followed by a new paragraph.