letters of credence

[ let-erz uhv kreed-ns ]

noun

1. credentials issued to a diplomat or other governmental representative for presentation to the country to which they are sent.

letters of credence

plural noun

1. a formal document accrediting a diplomatic officer to a foreign court or government

Word History and Origins

Origin of letters of credence¹

First recorded in 1325–75

Example Sentences

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a ceremony of receiving letters of credence from newly-appointed foreign ambassadors at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, September 20, 2022.

From Reuters

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a ceremony of receiving letters of credence from newly-appointed foreign ambassadors at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, September 20, 2022.

From Reuters

During the virtual engagement, the new Estonian ambassador Viljar Lubi and Spanish counterpart José Pascual Marco Martínez were greeted by the Queen and presented their Letters of Credence to her.

From BBC

Latvian ambassador Ivita Burmistre presented the letters of recall for her predecessor and her own letters of credence at the audience, as did Sara Affoue Amani, ambassador from Ivory Coast.

From BBC

My letters of credence to their High Mightinesses have been taken ad referendum by the several Provinces, and are now under consideration of the several branches of the sovereignty of this country; but no one city or body of nobles has as yet determined upon them.

From Project Gutenberg