Harry Potter Acceptance Letter: Complete Guide to the Hogwarts Letter
For millions of fans around the world, turning eleven was supposed to mean one thing: an owl tapping at the window, carrying that life-changing parchment envelope addressed in emerald green ink. The Hogwarts acceptance letter is more than just a plot device — it represents the moment when an ordinary life transforms into something magical.
Whether you are a lifelong Potterhead who still checks the mail hopefully, a parent planning a magical birthday surprise, or someone who simply wants to understand every detail of this iconic piece of wizarding correspondence, this guide covers everything about the Harry Potter acceptance letter.
What Does the Hogwarts Acceptance Letter Say?
The Hogwarts acceptance letter is a formal invitation to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Every magical child in Britain and Ireland receives one before their first year, typically arriving on or around their eleventh birthday.
The Envelope
The envelope itself is made of yellowish parchment, thick and heavy. It is addressed in emerald green ink with no stamp — owls do not need postage. Harry's letter was famously addressed to:
Mr. H. Potter The Cupboard under the Stairs 4 Privet Drive Little Whinging Surrey
The envelope is sealed with a purple wax seal bearing the Hogwarts coat of arms: a lion, an eagle, a badger, and a snake surrounding a large letter H.
The Letter Text
The letter itself reads:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr./Ms. [Name],
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall Deputy Headmistress
The letter is signed by Minerva McGonagall in her role as Deputy Headmistress, as she handles all student admissions and correspondence.
The Hogwarts Supply List
Enclosed with the acceptance letter is a second page listing all the books and equipment first-year students must purchase before term begins. This is the list that sends families to Diagon Alley for their magical shopping spree.
Uniform Requirements
All students require:
- Three sets of plain work robes (black)
- One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
- One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
- One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.
Course Books
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
- The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
- A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
- Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
- A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
- One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
- Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
- The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
Other Equipment
- 1 wand
- 1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
- 1 set glass or crystal phials
- 1 telescope
- 1 set brass scales
Students may also bring, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS
How Are Hogwarts Letters Delivered?
The method of delivery depends on whether the student comes from a magical or Muggle family.
For Wizarding Families
Letters are delivered by owl post, the standard magical mail system. The owl finds the recipient no matter where they are — the magic of the address ensures delivery. Most wizarding children expect their letter and watch eagerly for the family owl or a school owl to arrive.
For Muggle-Born Students
When a student is Muggle-born with no knowledge of the wizarding world, a member of the Hogwarts staff delivers the letter in person. This is a more delicate situation requiring explanation and proof of magic. Hagrid performed this duty for Harry, while Professor McGonagall personally visited young Tom Riddle at his orphanage decades earlier.
The Quill of Acceptance
How does Hogwarts know which children are magical? A special enchanted quill, paired with the Book of Admittance, has existed since the school's founding. The moment a child displays signs of magic — even as an infant — the quill writes their name in the book. When they approach their eleventh birthday, a letter is automatically prepared.
The Iconic Scene: Harry's Letter
One of the most memorable scenes in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is Harry's prolonged struggle to receive his letter. The Dursleys, terrified of Harry discovering his magical heritage, go to increasingly absurd lengths to prevent delivery:
- The first letter arrives addressed to "The Cupboard under the Stairs" — revealing that Hogwarts knows exactly where Harry sleeps
- Vernon moves Harry to Dudley's second bedroom, and new letters arrive addressed to "The Smallest Bedroom"
- Dozens of letters begin arriving, stuffed through every crack and crevice
- Vernon boards up the mail slot, so letters come down the chimney
- Hundreds of letters explode from the fireplace in a magnificent swirl
- The Dursleys flee to a hut on a rock in the sea
- Hagrid arrives at midnight on Harry's eleventh birthday to deliver the letter personally
This escalating sequence shows the determination of the magical world to reach Harry — and sets up Hagrid's dramatic entrance that changes everything.
How to Make Your Own Hogwarts Acceptance Letter
Creating your own Hogwarts acceptance letter is a beloved craft project for parties, gifts, or personal keepsakes. Here is how to make one that looks authentically magical:
Materials Needed
- Parchment paper or heavy cardstock (cream or off-white)
- Tea or coffee for aging the paper
- Green ink pen or printer with green ink
- Red sealing wax and a seal stamp (or printable seal stickers)
- Calligraphy pen (optional, for hand-lettering)
- Ribbon (optional, for decoration)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Age Your Paper
Brew strong tea or coffee, let it cool slightly, then brush or dip your paper. Let it dry completely — you can speed this up with a hair dryer. For extra authenticity, carefully burn the edges with a lighter (adult supervision required).
Step 2: Print or Write the Letter
Use a Harry Potter-style font (search for "Lumos" or "Harry P" fonts online for personal use). Print the letter text in black, with the Hogwarts header and McGonagall's signature. Alternatively, hand-write it in your best calligraphy for a personal touch.
Step 3: Create the Envelope
Address the envelope in green ink to the recipient. Include their actual address for authenticity, or use a whimsical location description like Harry's "Cupboard under the Stairs."
Step 4: Add the Seal
Drip red sealing wax onto the envelope flap and press with a seal stamp. No wax? Print a Hogwarts crest on red paper or sticker paper and attach it instead.
Step 5: Deliver Magically
Hide it in the mail, tie it to a stuffed owl, or have it "delivered" through a window. The presentation is half the magic.
Free Printable Resources
Several websites offer free printable Hogwarts letter templates:
- Print on parchment-style paper for best results
- Add the recipient's name using a Harry Potter font
- Include both the acceptance letter and the supply list for the full experience
Get Your Own Personalized Hogwarts Letter
Why imagine when you can have your very own personalized Hogwarts acceptance letter? Our AI-powered Hogwarts Letter Generator creates a beautiful, customized acceptance letter with your name, complete with authentic styling and magical details.
Generate Your Hogwarts Letter →
Enter your name and receive a stunning, shareable acceptance letter that you can save, print, or share with friends. It is the perfect way to finally receive the letter you have been waiting for since you turned eleven.
Why the Acceptance Letter Matters
The Hogwarts acceptance letter represents something profound: the promise that there is more to the world than meets the eye, and that you belong somewhere magical. For Harry, trapped in a cupboard and told he was worthless, that letter was proof that he was special. For readers everywhere, it symbolizes hope, belonging, and the possibility of transformation.
Every year, thousands of fans send letters to the fictional address of Hogwarts. Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London displays many of these letters, showing how deeply this simple piece of parchment resonates with people worldwide.
Discover More Magic
Now that you know everything about the Hogwarts acceptance letter, continue your magical journey:
Generate Your Personalized Hogwarts Letter →
Take the Sorting Hat Quiz → to discover which house you belong to
Find Your Patronus → to reveal your magical guardian
Which Character Are You? → to find your wizarding world match
Explore All Patronus Meanings →
Browse Harry Potter Characters →
Your letter has finally arrived. Welcome to Hogwarts.