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How to address a formal letter if unsure of gender?
#1
I'm sending a formal letter to someone named Morgan. I don't feel comfortable with "Dear Morgan" but would rather use: "Dear Mr. ____" (or "Dear Ms. ____"). I've googled this person, and I suspect they are female, but I just can't be sure.

What are the options:

1. No salutation. Just start in with the letter.
2. To Whom it May Concern
3. Dear Sir/Madam

Other ideas?
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#2
2 or 3
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#3
Dear Captain?
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#4
I'm partial to "Hey you", "Captain my Captain", or "Y'all".
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#5
no, this is formal You All.
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#6
Is there a way to unobtrusively determine the person's gender identity? Using a resource other than Google...Call their office, find out through a third party, something...do a bit more research? If it's not practical, and the letter is purely formal and impersonal, then Sir/Madame is acceptable.

If you don't want to risk being totally impersonal and uninformed, going to the trouble to find out a tiny bit more about the person you're addressing seems like a worthwhile effort.
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#7
Yo, 'sup bitch? I wonna axe you suh'in,

Covers the gender problem but maybe not formal enough?
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#8
I'd go with the Sir/Madam
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#9
Greetings!


It has come to my attention etc. etc.
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#10
Hi Pat,

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