Russian Application Header — Ready-Made Templates for Different Situations

The header of a Russian official application consists of the recipient line ("Кому"), the sender line ("От кого"), and the date. A correctly formatted header sets the right tone for the entire document. Here is a complete guide with ready templates.

What Goes into the Header

A standard Russian application header contains:

1. "Кому" — the recipient: position, organization, full name (dative case)
2. "От кого" — the sender: full name, sometimes position and organization (genitive case)
3. Date — day, month, and year (usually right-aligned or centered)

There is typically an empty line between "Кому" and "От кого". The date may be right-aligned, centered, or placed below the "От кого" line.

Key Rule: Grammatical Cases

• "Кому" — dative case (to whom?)
• "От кого" — genitive case (from whom?)

This is the most common source of errors. Quick check: "I am writing to the CEO" (dative) vs "the letter of the CEO" (genitive).

Template: Application to Employer (resignation, vacation, sick leave)

Генеральному директору ООО «СтройМир»
Соколову А.П.

От менеджера проектов
ООО «СтройМир»
Фёдоровой Елены Сергеевны

                                          15 May 2026

Template: Application to Government Body (complaint, inquiry)

Начальнику Управления Федеральной налоговой службы
по г. Москве
Красникову Дмитрию Владимировичу

От главного бухгалтера
ООО «АудитПлюс»
Мироновой Ольги Николаевны

                                          20 May 2026

Template: Application to Department Head

Директору по кадрам
ООО «Логистика»
Волкову Игорю Константиновичу

От специалиста отдела логистики
ООО «Логистика»
Лебедевой Анны Андреевны

                                          10 May 2026

Template: To an Individual Entrepreneur

Индивидуальному предпринимателю
Павлову Сергею Александровичу

От ООО «Сервис»
Директора
Морозова Алексея Дмитриевича

                                          18 May 2026

Where to Place the Salutation

The salutation ("Уважаемый...", "Уважаемая...") is not part of the header. It is written on a separate line, after the date and before the main text of the application:

                                          15 May 2026

Уважаемый Александр Петрович!

Прошу предоставить мне ежегодный оплачиваемый отпуск...

If the recipient's full name is unknown, use a neutral form: "Уважаемый господин директор!" or "Уважаемая Елена!"

How to Download a Template in DOCX

After generating the "Кому" and "От кого" blocks in the Addressee Generator, you can download a complete application template in DOCX format. The document will contain:

• Header with correctly cased lines
• Salutation line
• Application body template
• Space for signature and date

The DOCX format is convenient because you can edit it in Word before printing — adjust the wording, add your specific request.

What to Check Before Printing

• Does the position and organization name match your founding documents exactly?
• Are all words correctly declined (check in a dictionary if unsure)?
• Is the date in the correct position?
• Is there an empty line between the header and the body?

Common Header Mistakes

• Wrong case: "От генерального директора" in the "Кому" line — this is incorrect
• Incomplete name: "ООО Ромашка" instead of "ООО «Ромашка»"
• Wrong capitalization: "Генеральному Директору" — only the first word is capitalized
• Missing empty line between "Кому" and "От кого"
• Wrong order: surname before position, instead of position first

FAQ

Does the date go before or after "От кого"?

In most formats, the date is right-aligned, level with or below the "От кого" line. In some official document forms, the date appears in the upper left corner.

Is an empty line required between "Кому" and "От кого"?

Yes, this is the standard formatting. Without it, the document looks cramped.

Is the date mandatory?

Yes. The date shows when the application was written. This is important for meeting deadlines.

Is the salutation mandatory?

For applications to an employer or government body — yes. For private correspondence — depends on context.