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{{Spoiler|HM|PAS|MA|HL}}
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{{semiprotected}}
  
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{{Letter infobox
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{{Letter_infobox
  
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|image=[[File:HogwartsAcceptanceLetter.png|250px]]
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|image=HogwartsAcceptanceLetter.png
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|name=Hogwarts acceptence letter
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|name=Hogwarts acceptance letter
  +
|sender=*[[Matilda Weasley]] ([[1890]])<ref name="HL">{{HL}} {{See image|File:Acceptance Letter HL.png}}</ref>
⚫
|sender=[[Minerva McGonagall]]
  
  +
*[[Minerva McGonagall]] ([[1990s]]<ref name="PS4">{{PS|B|4}}</ref> and [[2000s]])<ref name="MA">{{MA}}</ref>
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|addressee=Young British [[Wizardkind|wizards and witches]]
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|addressee=Young [[Wizardkind|wizards and witches]] residing in [[Great Britain]] and [[Ireland]]<ref name="PS4"/>
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|date=Around the wizard's eleventh birthday
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|date=Around the wizard's eleventh birthday<ref name="PS4"/>
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|subject=Confirms a student's acceptance to [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]].
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|subject=Confirmed a student's acceptance to [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]]<ref name="PS4"/>
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|delivered=[[Owl Post]] (special messengers or [[Muggle]] post in exceptional cases)
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|delivered=[[Owl Postal Service|Owl Post]] (special messengers or [[Non-magic people|Muggle]] post in exceptional cases)<ref name="PS3"/><ref name="PS4"/><ref name="DH33"/>
 
}}
  
}}
−
{{Dialogue a-b|Lily Evans|It is real, isn't it? It's not a joke? Petunia says you're lying to me. Petunia says there isn't a Hogwarts. It is real, isn't it?|Severus Snape|It's real for us, not for her. But we'll get the letter, you and me.|[[Lily Evans|Lily]] and [[Severus Snape|Severus]] discussing Hogwarts.|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
 +
{{Dialogue a-b|Lily Evans|It is real, isn't it? It's not a joke? Petunia says you're lying to me. Petunia says there isn't a Hogwarts. It is real, isn't it?|Severus Snape|It's real for us, not for her. But we'll get the letter, you and me.|Discussing of Hogwarts school|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
−
The '''Hogwarts letter''' is a letter of acceptance to [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] sent to [[Great Britain|British]] [[Wizards|wizards and witches]] prior to their [[first year]] at Hogwarts. A [[Magical Quill|special quill]] exists which writes down the name of every magical child in [[Great Britain|Britain]] at the time of their birth, allowing Hogwarts letters to be sent to all magical children at the appropriate time, even those who are [[Muggle-born]]. The Hogwarts letter consists of a note of acceptance from the Deputy Headmaster or Headmistress of Hogwarts and a list of required textbooks and materials for the school year.
 +
The '''Hogwarts acceptance letter''' was a letter of acceptance to [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]], sent to [[wizardkind|wizards and witches]] residing in [[Great Britain]] and [[Ireland]] prior to their [[first year]] at Hogwarts.<ref name="PS4"/><ref name="DH33">{{DH|B|33}}</ref> A [[Quill of Acceptance|special quill]] existed, which wrote down the name and birth of every magical child at the moment they exhibited signs of magic. This allowed Hogwarts letters to be sent to all magical children at the appropriate time, even those who were [[Muggle-born]].<ref name="PM">{{PM}}</ref>
   
  +
The Hogwarts letter consisted of a note of acceptance from the Deputy Headmaster or Headmistress of Hogwarts.<ref name="PS4"/> This note was written in green ink and was accompanied by a [[Shopping List|list]] of required textbooks and materials for the upcoming school year.<ref name="PS5">{{PS|B|5}}</ref>
−
==Deliverance of the letter==
  
  +
−
[[File:Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - The letters from no one|thumb|250px|Multiple letters are delivered to Harry Potter.]]
  
  +
==Creation of the letters==
⚫
The letter is written on parchment paper and delivered to the recipient by [[owl]], except in the case of Muggle-borns and magical children living with [[Muggle]]s (such as [[Harry Potter]]), where the initial acceptance letter is delivered by the regular Muggle post. Hogwarts is able to magically tell whether or not a child has read his or her Hogwarts letter, as evidenced by the bombardment of [[4 Privet Drive]] with letters, despite at least one of them having been opened and read by [[Vernon Dursley|Vernon]] and [[Petunia Dursley]].
  
  +
From at least the [[1982–1983 school year]], [[Professor]] [[Minerva McGonagall]] would get help writing the letters from student volunteers, led by a lead volunteer. It was the students' jobs to write and address the letters, with the lead volunteer being in charge of collecting the book and equipment lists from teachers. Professor McGonagall's job was to get the names of the students in the [[Book of Admittance]] and give them to her volunteers. After all the letters had been sent, Professor McGonagall gave the lead volunteer [[Replicas of the Book of Admittance and the Quill of Acceptance]] as thanks.<ref name="ALFH">{{HM|3|A LETTER FROM HOGWARTS}}</ref>
  +
  +
==Letter delivery==
  +
[[File:Hogwarts letters privet drive.jpg|250px|thumb|left|A bombardment of Hogwarts letters addressed to [[Harry Potter]]]]
  ⚫
The letter was written on parchment paper and delivered to the recipient by [[owl]], except in the case of [[Muggle-borns]]. When a student was Muggle-born the acceptance letter was delivered in person by a member of the [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]] faculty. The faculty member acted as a [[special messenger]], who explained everything to the student and parents.<ref name="DH33"/>
  +
  ⚫
Harry Potter's initial acceptance letter was delivered by regular [[Muggle Mail|Muggle post]], as [[Vernon Dursley|Vernon]] and [[Petunia Dursley]] were aware of the existence of the [[wizarding world]] and Hogwarts.<ref name="PS3">{{PS|B|3}}</ref> Hogwarts was able to magically tell whether or not a child had read his or her Hogwarts letter.<ref name="PS3"/><ref name="PS4"/> This was evidenced by the later bombardment of [[4 Privet Drive]] with letters via owl, despite at least one of them having been opened and read by Vernon and Petunia.<ref name="PS3"/>
   
 
==History==
  
==History==
  +
A [[Unidentified 19th-century Hogwarts student|witch or wizard]] who would start Hogwarts as a [[Fifth year|fifth-year]] received an acceptance letter prior to [[1 September]] [[1890]]. Due to their unique situation, the contents of the letter were largely different from those sent to others, informing them of the [[Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery]] as well as the school and the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry]]'s decision of letting [[Professor]] [[Eleazar Fig]] personally mentoring them before the [[1890–1891 school year|school term]] started.<ref name="HL"/>
⚫
Harry Potter first received one during the summer holidays of 1991. He was stunned at receiving such a letter, as he normally never received any correspondence, and held on to it, causing Vernon Dursley to joke that he might be checking for [[letter bomb]]s. Upon Dudley's noticing that Harry had the letter and realising what it was, Vernon's face was said to have gone "from red to green faster than a set of [[traffic light]]s." He then seized the letter, burned it, and then moved Harry to [[The Smallest Bedroom]]. He went to increasingly elaborate measures to try to stop the delivery of the letters, eventually resulting in [[Rubeus Hagrid]] personally visiting the [[Hut-on-the-Rock]] to deliver the letter.
  
  +
  +
[[Jacob's sibling]] received their letter in [[1984]] while sitting on a bench reading a book.<ref name="HM">{{HM}} [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAulFHyjFAI trailer] {{See image|File:Jacob's sibling receiving Hogwarts acceptance letter HM trailer.png}}</ref>
  +
  ⚫
Harry Potter first received one during the summer holidays of [[1991]]. He was stunned at receiving such a letter, as he normally never received any correspondence, and held on to it. This caused [[Vernon Dursley]] to joke that he might be checking for [[letter bomb]]s. When Dudley discovered what the letter said, Vernon seized the letter and burned it. Then he moved Harry to the [[Smallest Bedroom]].<ref name="PS3"/> He went to increasingly elaborate measures to try to stop the delivery of the letters, eventually resulting in [[Rubeus Hagrid]] personally visiting the [[Hut-on-the-Rock]] to deliver the letter.<ref name="PS4"/>
  +
  +
In [[2008]], Hagrid delivered the letter to a [[Unidentified Muggle-born Hogwarts student|Muggle-born witch or wizard]] in their home. The letter required the newly accepted student to sign their name at the bottom of the letter.<ref name="MA"/>
   
  +
==Example of contents==
−
==Contents==
  
  +
This was Harry Potter's acceptance letter:
 
===First page===
  
===First page===
   
 
<center>HOGWARTS SCHOOL ''of'' WITCHCRAFT ''and'' WIZARDRY</center>
  
<center>HOGWARTS SCHOOL ''of'' WITCHCRAFT ''and'' WIZARDRY</center>
⚫
<br/>
  
−
<center>Headmaster: [Headmaster/mistress's name here]</center>
  
−
<br/>
  
−
<center>''list the Headmaster/mistress's achievements here)''</center>
  
   
  ⚫
<br />
   
  +
<center>[[Hogwarts Headmaster|Headmaster]]: [[Albus Dumbledore]]</center>
  +
<center>''([[Order of Merlin]], [[Order of Merlin#Order of Merlin, First Class|First Class]], [[Grand Sorcerer|Grand Sorc.]], [[Chief Warlock|Chf. Warlock]],<br />[[Supreme Mugwump]], [[International Confederation of Wizards|International Confed. of Wizards]])''</center>
   
−
Dear [Student Name Here],
  
   
⚫
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.
  
   
  ⚫
:Dear Mr Potter,
⚫
Term begins on [[1 September]]. We await your owl by no later than [[31 July]].
  
   
  ⚫
:We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]]. Please find enclosed a [[Shopping List|list]] of all necessary books and equipment.
   
  ⚫
:Term begins on [[1 September]]. We await your owl by no later than [[31 July]].
⚫
Yours sincerely,
  
   
  ⚫
:Yours sincerely,
−
[Signature of Deputy <span style="text-align:center;">Headmaster/mistress's here]</span>
  
  +
[[File:Minerva McGonagall sig.png|250px]]
  ⚫
:[[Minerva McGonagall]]
   
  +
:[[Deputy Headmaster|Deputy Headmistress]]<ref name="PS4"/>
−  
−
<span style="text-align:center;">[Deaputy Headmaster/mistress's name here]</span>
  
−  
−
Deputy Headmistress
  
   
 
===Second page===
  
===Second page===
Line 50: Line 62:
 
<p style="text-align: center;">HOGWARTS SCHOOL ''of ''WITCHCRAFT ''and'' WIZARDRY</p>
  
<p style="text-align: center;">HOGWARTS SCHOOL ''of ''WITCHCRAFT ''and'' WIZARDRY</p>
   
⚫
UNIFORM
  
   
  ⚫
:UNIFORM
⚫
First-year students will require:
  
⚫
:1. Three sets of plain work [[robes]] (black)<br />
  
⚫
:2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear<br />
  
⚫
:3. One pair of protective gloves ([[dragon]] hide or similar)<br />
  
⚫
:4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
  
   
  ⚫
:First-year students will require:
⚫
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.
  
  ⚫
::1. Three sets of plain work [[robes]] (black)<ref name="PS5"/>
  ⚫
::2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear<ref name="PS5"/>
  ⚫
::3. One pair of protective gloves ([[dragon]] hide or similar)<ref name="PS5"/>
  ⚫
::4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)<ref name="PS5"/>
   
  ⚫
:Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.<ref name="PS5"/>
⚫
COURSE BOOKS
  
   
  ⚫
:COURSE BOOKS
⚫
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
  
   
  ⚫
:All students should have a copy of each of the following:
⚫
:''[[The Standard Book of Spells]] (Grade 1)''
  
   
  ⚫
:''[[The Standard Book of Spells]] (Grade 1)''
−
by [[Miranda Goshawk]]
 +
::''by [[Miranda Goshawk]]''<ref name="PS5"/>
   
 
:''[[A History of Magic]]''
  
:''[[A History of Magic]]''
  ⚫
::''by [[Bathilda Bagshot]]''<ref name="PS5"/>
   
  ⚫
:''[[Magical Theory (book)|Magical Theory]]''
⚫
''by [[Bathilda Bagshot]]''
  
  ⚫
::''by [[Adalbert Waffling]]''<ref name="PS5"/>
−  
⚫
:''[[Magical Theory]] ''
  
−  
⚫
''by [[Adalbert Waffling]]''
  
   
 
:''[[A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration]]''
  
:''[[A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration]]''
  ⚫
::''by [[Emeric Switch]]''<ref name="PS5"/>
−  
⚫
''by [[Emeric Switch]]''
  
   
 
:''[[One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi]]''
  
:''[[One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi]]''
  ⚫
::''by [[Phyllida Spore]]''<ref name="PS5"/>
−  
⚫
''by [[Phyllida Spore]]''
  
   
 
:''[[Magical Drafts and Potions]]''
  
:''[[Magical Drafts and Potions]]''
  ⚫
::''by [[Arsenius Jigger]]''<ref name="PS5"/>
   
  +
:{{FB}}
⚫
''by [[Arsenius Jigger]]''
  
  ⚫
::''by [[Newton Scamander|Newt Scamander]]''<ref name="PS5"/>
−  
−
:''[[Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them]]''
  
−  
⚫
''by [[Newton Scamander|Newt Scamander]]''
  
   
 
:''[[The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection]]''
  
:''[[The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection]]''
  ⚫
::''by [[Quentin Trimble]]''<ref name="PS5"/>
   
  ⚫
:OTHER EQUIPMENT
⚫
''by [[Quentin Trimble]]''
  
−  
⚫
OTHER EQUIPMENT
  
   
−
:1 [[wand]]<br />
 +
::1 [[wand]]<ref name="PS5"/>
−
:1 [[cauldron]] (pewter, standard size 2)<br />
 +
::1 [[cauldron]] ([[Pewter Cauldron|pewter]], standard size 2)<ref name="PS5"/>
−
:1 set glass or crystal phials<br />
 +
::1 set glass or crystal [[phial]]s<ref name="PS5"/>
−
:1 [[telescope]]<br />
 +
::1 [[telescope]]<ref name="PS5"/>
−
:1 set [[brass scales]]<br />
 +
::1 set [[brass scales]]<ref name="PS5"/>
   
−
Students may also bring, if they desire, an [[owl]] OR a [[cat]] OR a [[toad]].
 +
:Students may also bring, if they desire, an [[owl]] OR a [[cat]] OR a [[toad]].<ref name="PS5"/>
   
 
<p style="text-align: center;">PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS</p>
  
<p style="text-align: center;">PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS</p>
   
−
<p style="text-align: center;">ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN [[Broomstick|BROOMSTICK]]</p>
 +
<p style="text-align: center;">ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN [[Broomstick|BROOMSTICK]]<ref name="PS5"/></p>
   
⚫
Yours sincerely,
  
   
  ⚫
:Yours sincerely,
−
[[File:Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus sig.png|250px|left]]<br />
 +
[[File:Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus sig.png|250px]]
  ⚫
:[[Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus]]
   
  ⚫
:[[Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions]]<ref name="PS5"/>
−  
−  
−  
−  
−  
⚫
[[Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus]]<br />
  
−  
⚫
[[Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions]]
  
   
 
==Behind the scenes==
  
==Behind the scenes==
  ⚫
*In {{LEGO|Y1}}, the letters come from additional places inside [[4 Privet Drive]], like the [[toaster]], [[washing machine]] and in between the windshield wipers on the way to the [[Hut-on-the-Rock]].
−
[[File:HarryPooter.PNG|thumb|300px|Harry snatches a letter from a veritable deluge.]]
  
  ⚫
*In {{WWHP}}, customisable Hogwarts Acceptance Letters are sold, with the individual's name printed, along with a list of school supplies.
⚫
*In ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]'', the letters come from additional places like the [[toaster]], [[washing machine]] and in between the windshield wipers on the way to the beach.
  
  ⚫
*On {{PM}}, the user was able to view Harry's Acceptance Letter in Chapter 4 (Keeper of the Keys), Moment 2 (Harry receives his Letter at last). Also, the Shopping List was viewable during the user's first encounter at [[Diagon Alley]] and was then placed in the user's trunk.
⚫
*[[Muggle-born]] children receive their letters in person from a member of the [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]] faculty, a [[Special messenger]], who explains everything to the student and parents.
  
  +
*Since [[Harry Potter|Harry]] received his first letter about a week before his birthday and most of the subsequent ones between then and his birthday, it is a wide misconception that students receive the letter around their 11th birthdays. he happened to receive his final letter that he actually read through [[Rubeus Hagrid|Hagrid]] on his birthday.
⚫
*In [[The Wizarding World of Harry Potter]], customizable Hogwarts Acceptance Letters are sold, with the individual's name printed, along with a list of school supplies.
  
  +
**At the very least students who have August birthdays would need to receive their letters prior to their birthdays as the cut off date for confirming their places is July the 31st and they would also need time to get supplies.
⚫
*On [[Pottermore]], the user is able to view Harry's Acceptance Letter in Chapter 4 (Keeper of the Keys), Moment 2 (Harry receives his Letter at last). Also, the Shopping List is viewable during the user's first encounter at [[Diagon Alley]] and is then placed in the user's trunk.
  
  +
**It was confirmed on {{PM}} that [[Minerva McGonagall]] received her letter exactly on her birthday, meaning it does sometimes happen, though not always.
⚫
*In the [[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)|GBC version]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]],'' the letter is written by Dumbledore and goes like this:
  
  +
*In the European Portuguese translation of {{PS}}, ''Harry Potter e a Pedra Filosofal'', "''[[caduceus|one caduceus]]''" is added to the list of required equipment.
  ⚫
*In the [[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)|GBC version]] of {{PS}}, the letter is much shorter and is written by Dumbledore:
   
  +
:''<nowiki/>''
⚫
''Dear Mr Potter,''
  
  +
::''Dear Mr Potter, ''
   
−
''You have been accepted to [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]].''
 +
::''You have been accepted to [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]].''
   
−
''Yours sincerely,''
 +
::''Yours sincerely,''
   
−
''[[Albus Dumbledore]]''
 +
::''Albus Dumbledore''
   
−
''[[Headmaster]]''
 +
::''Headmaster''
   
 
==Appearances==
  
==Appearances==
  +
{{Imagecat|Images of Hogwarts acceptance letters}}
−
*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' {{1st}}
  
  +
*{{PS}} {{1st}}
−
*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)]]''
  
  +
*{{PS|F}}
−
*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)]]''
  
  +
*{{PS|G}}
−
*''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)]]'' {{Mention}}
  
−
*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]] ''{{Mention}}
 +
*{{DH}} {{Mention}}
  +
*{{PM}}
−
*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]''
  
  +
*{{WW}}
−
*''[[The Wizarding World of Harry Potter]]''
  
  +
*{{TCG}}
−
*''[[Pottermore]]''
  
  +
*{{HPV|CH}} {{Mention}}
−
*''[[Harry Potter Trading Card Game]]''
  
  +
*{{HPV|CR}} {{Mention}}
  +
*{{WWHP}}
  +
*{{LEGO}}
  +
*{{LEGO|C1}}
  +
*{{LEGO|Y1}}
  +
*{{HPK}}
  +
*{{HM}}
  +
*{{PAS}}
  +
*{{MA}}
  +
*{{HL}}
   
  +
==Notes and references==
  +
{{Reflist}}
 
[[es:Carta de Hogwarts]]
  
[[es:Carta de Hogwarts]]
 
[[fr:Lettre de Poudlard]]
  
[[fr:Lettre de Poudlard]]
 
[[it:Lettera di Accoglienza]]
  
[[it:Lettera di Accoglienza]]
  +
[[pl:List z Hogwartu]]
  +
[[pt:Carta de admissão de Hogwarts]]
  +
[[zh:霍格沃茨录取通知书]]
  +
 
[[Category:Hogwarts]]
  
[[Category:Hogwarts]]
 
[[Category:Letters]]
  
[[Category:Letters]]

Latest revision as of 15:00, 11 April 2024

Hand pointing right transparent Warning!

At least some content in this article is derived from information featured in: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery & Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells & Harry Potter: Magic Awakened & Hogwarts Legacy.
As such, spoilers will be present within the article.

Lily Evans: "It is real, isn't it? It's not a joke? Petunia says you're lying to me. Petunia says there isn't a Hogwarts. It is real, isn't it?"
Severus Snape: "It's real for us, not for her. But we'll get the letter, you and me."
— Discussing of Hogwarts school[src]

The Hogwarts acceptance letter was a letter of acceptance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, sent to wizards and witches residing in Great Britain and Ireland prior to their first year at Hogwarts.[2][5] A special quill existed, which wrote down the name and birth of every magical child at the moment they exhibited signs of magic. This allowed Hogwarts letters to be sent to all magical children at the appropriate time, even those who were Muggle-born.[6]

The Hogwarts letter consisted of a note of acceptance from the Deputy Headmaster or Headmistress of Hogwarts.[2] This note was written in green ink and was accompanied by a list of required textbooks and materials for the upcoming school year.[7]

Creation of the letters

From at least the 1982–1983 school year, Professor Minerva McGonagall would get help writing the letters from student volunteers, led by a lead volunteer. It was the students' jobs to write and address the letters, with the lead volunteer being in charge of collecting the book and equipment lists from teachers. Professor McGonagall's job was to get the names of the students in the Book of Admittance and give them to her volunteers. After all the letters had been sent, Professor McGonagall gave the lead volunteer Replicas of the Book of Admittance and the Quill of Acceptance as thanks.[8]

Letter delivery

Hogwarts letters privet drive

A bombardment of Hogwarts letters addressed to Harry Potter

The letter was written on parchment paper and delivered to the recipient by owl, except in the case of Muggle-borns. When a student was Muggle-born the acceptance letter was delivered in person by a member of the Hogwarts faculty. The faculty member acted as a special messenger, who explained everything to the student and parents.[5]

Harry Potter's initial acceptance letter was delivered by regular Muggle post, as Vernon and Petunia Dursley were aware of the existence of the wizarding world and Hogwarts.[4] Hogwarts was able to magically tell whether or not a child had read his or her Hogwarts letter.[4][2] This was evidenced by the later bombardment of 4 Privet Drive with letters via owl, despite at least one of them having been opened and read by Vernon and Petunia.[4]

History

A witch or wizard who would start Hogwarts as a fifth-year received an acceptance letter prior to 1 September 1890. Due to their unique situation, the contents of the letter were largely different from those sent to others, informing them of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery as well as the school and the Ministry's decision of letting Professor Eleazar Fig personally mentoring them before the school term started.[1]

Jacob's sibling received their letter in 1984 while sitting on a bench reading a book.[9]

Harry Potter first received one during the summer holidays of 1991. He was stunned at receiving such a letter, as he normally never received any correspondence, and held on to it. This caused Vernon Dursley to joke that he might be checking for letter bombs. When Dudley discovered what the letter said, Vernon seized the letter and burned it. Then he moved Harry to the Smallest Bedroom.[4] He went to increasingly elaborate measures to try to stop the delivery of the letters, eventually resulting in Rubeus Hagrid personally visiting the Hut-on-the-Rock to deliver the letter.[2]

In 2008, Hagrid delivered the letter to a Muggle-born witch or wizard in their home. The letter required the newly accepted student to sign their name at the bottom of the letter.[3]

Example of contents

This was Harry Potter's acceptance letter:

First page

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 Potter,
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 sig

Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress[2]

Second page

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY


UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)[7]
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear[7]
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)[7]
4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)[7]
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.[7]
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)
by Miranda Goshawk[7]
A History of Magic
by Bathilda Bagshot[7]
Magical Theory
by Adalbert Waffling[7]
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration
by Emeric Switch[7]
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
by Phyllida Spore[7]
Magical Drafts and Potions
by Arsenius Jigger[7]
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
by Newt Scamander[7]
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection
by Quentin Trimble[7]
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand[7]
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)[7]
1 set glass or crystal phials[7]
1 telescope[7]
1 set brass scales[7]
Students may also bring, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.[7]

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS

ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK[7]


Yours sincerely,

Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus sig

Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus
Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions[7]

Behind the scenes

  • In LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4, the letters come from additional places inside 4 Privet Drive, like the toaster, washing machine and in between the windshield wipers on the way to the Hut-on-the-Rock.
  • In The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, customisable Hogwarts Acceptance Letters are sold, with the individual's name printed, along with a list of school supplies.
  • On Pottermore, the user was able to view Harry's Acceptance Letter in Chapter 4 (Keeper of the Keys), Moment 2 (Harry receives his Letter at last). Also, the Shopping List was viewable during the user's first encounter at Diagon Alley and was then placed in the user's trunk.
  • Since Harry received his first letter about a week before his birthday and most of the subsequent ones between then and his birthday, it is a wide misconception that students receive the letter around their 11th birthdays. he happened to receive his final letter that he actually read through Hagrid on his birthday.
    • At the very least students who have August birthdays would need to receive their letters prior to their birthdays as the cut off date for confirming their places is July the 31st and they would also need time to get supplies.
    • It was confirmed on Pottermore that Minerva McGonagall received her letter exactly on her birthday, meaning it does sometimes happen, though not always.
  • In the European Portuguese translation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Harry Potter e a Pedra Filosofal, "one caduceus" is added to the list of required equipment.
  • In the GBC version of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the letter is much shorter and is written by Dumbledore:
Dear Mr Potter,
You have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Yours sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster

Appearances

Wiki
The Harry Potter Wiki has 39 images related to Hogwarts acceptance letter.

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hogwarts Legacy (see this image)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 4 (The Keeper of the Keys)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Harry Potter: Magic Awakened
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 3 (The Letters from No One)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 33 (The Prince's Tale)
  6. ↑ Pottermore
  7. ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 7.17 7.18 7.19 7.20 7.21 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 5 (Diagon Alley)
  8. ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 3, Side Quest "A LETTER FROM HOGWARTS"
  9. ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery trailer (see this image)
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