• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Legal Templates

Legal Templates
  • Business Forms
    • Business Formation
      • LLC Operating Agreement
      • Articles of Incorporation
      • Shareholder Agreement
      • Partnership Agreement
      • Business Purchase Agreement
      • Joint Venture Agreement
      • Single-Member LLC Operating Agreement
    • Business Operations
      • Letter of Intent
      • Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
      • Non-Compete Agreement
      • Invoice Template
      • Purchase Order
      • Hold Harmless Agreement
      • Release of Liability Form (Waiver)
      • Buy-Sell Agreement
      • Construction Contract
      • Licensing Agreement
    • Employment
      • Independent Contractor Agreement
      • Employment Contract
      • Freelance Contract
      • Leave of Absence Letter
      • Leave of Absence Agreement
      • Resignation Letter
    • Cease and Desist Letter
      • Copyright Infringement
      • Debt Collection
      • Defamation
      • Harassment
      • Trademark Infringement
  • Real Estate Forms
    • Lease Agreements
      • Lease/Rental Agreement
      • Sublease Agreement
      • Room Rental Agreement
      • Month-to-Month Lease Agreement
      • Commercial Lease Agreement
      • Short Term Lease Agreement
      • Land Lease Agreement
      • Lease Renewal
      • Lease Amendment
    • Lease Termination Letter
      • Eviction Notice
      • Notice to Vacate
      • Early Lease Termination Letter
      • Late Rent Notice
    • Deeds & Property
      • Warranty Deed
      • Mortgage Deed
      • Quitclaim Deed
      • Deed of Trust
      • Mechanic’s Lien
      • Property Management Agreement
    • Rental Application
    • Real Estate Purchase Agreement
    • Employment Verification Letter
  • Estate Planning Forms
    • Power of Attorney
      • Medical Power of Attorney
      • Durable Power of Attorney
      • Revocation of Power of Attorney
    • Wills
      • Living Will
      • Last Will and Testament
      • Codicil to Will
    • Advance Directive
    • Living Trust
    • DNR Form
  • Finance Forms
    • Loans
      • Promissory Note
      • Loan Agreement
      • IOU
      • Demand For Payment Letter
    • Bill of Sale
      • Vehicle Bill of Sale
      • Boat Bill of Sale
      • Firearm Bill of Sale
      • Horse Bill of Sale
      • Trailer Bill of Sale
    • Sales & Purchases
      • Sales Agreement
      • Purchase Agreement
      • Gift Affidavit
      • Stock Purchase Agreement
  • Personal/Family Forms
    • Affidavits
      • Affidavit of Death
      • Affidavit of Domicile
      • Affidavit of Heirship
      • Affidavit of Identity
      • Affidavit of Residence
      • Affidavit of Service
      • Affidavit of Title
      • Financial Affidavit
      • Gift Affidavit
      • Small Estate Affidavit
    • Marriage
      • Divorce Agreement
      • Prenuptial Agreement
      • Cohabitation Agreement
      • Separation Agreement
      • Postnuptial Agreement
    • Child & Pet Forms
      • Child Medical Consent
      • Child Travel Consent Form
      • Child Custody Agreement
      • Pet Care Agreement
    • Medical Records Release Form
  • Resources
    • All Legal Documents
    • Article Categories
      • Business
      • Estate Planning
      • Financial
      • Personal & Family
      • Real Estate
  • Help
    • Email Us
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
  • Sign In
  • :email
    • Dashboard Home
    • My Account
    • My Billing History
    • Sign Out
  • Help
    • Contact Us
    • Email Us
    • About Us
    • (855) 335-9779 Monday-Friday, 10AM - 6PM EDT
  • Sign In
  • :email
    • Dashboard Home
    • My Account
    • My Billing History
    • Sign Out

Home Legal Documents Resignation Letter Template

Free Resignation Letter Template

Use our template to create a formal resignation letter.

Updated November 13, 2020

A resignation letter formally states your intention to leave the company you’re currently working for and the reasons why you’re quitting. Whether you are departing a company on good terms or can’t run fast enough out the door, it’s always wise to write a letter of resignation. Following these writing tips will smooth out the process of leaving.

Table of Contents
  1. Why Should You Write a Resignation Letter?
  2. When Should You Send a Letter of Resignation?
  3. How Should You Submit Your Resignation Letter?
  4. How to Write a Resignation Letter
  5. Free Resignation Letter Template and Example

1. Why Should You Write a Resignation Letter?

A resignation letter is an efficient way to send the same document to numerous departments keeping all relevant parties well-informed of your departure. 

If the letter is polite and straightforward, your manager will be impressed with the gesture and quite thankful for this information. So long as it is constructive, the letter may even bring intangible benefits to your career down the road, such as potential letters of recommendation, positive appraisals via word of mouth, and may even help you return to the company.

Woman with pen writing letter of resignation draft

2. When Should You Send a Letter of Resignation?

If you are certain you will be leaving your company, let them know at most two months and at least two weeks before with a formal letter of resignation.

3. How Should You Submit Your Resignation Letter?

You can have a private meeting with your manager where you share your plans, followed by a formal letter to make it official. In the end, do what you feel comfortable with.

If you don’t submit a resignation letter make sure that your exit is approved by all parties, including your manager, HR, and other stakeholders. You need to take the initiative to communicate to each department, don’t assume everyone will be on the same page.

4. How to Write a Resignation Letter

We recommend that you write a civil, succinct letter that contains the following:

1. Date

Include the date when you submit the letter in the top left line above the address.

2. Address

The address should follow a formal business letter template. Use the company name on the first line, followed by the street address, city and zip code.

3. Addressee

The addressee is usually your manager – you can use their first name. If the situation calls for it, you can address a larger audience such as unit, team, department, or the whole company.

4. Resignation Declaration

You must make it clear that you are resigning from the first sentence.

5. Date of Departure

A clear departure date is necessary as it lets your manager strategize the path forward.

6. Reasons for Leaving (Optional)

In this section, employ your diplomatic chops and provide a reason for your departure. Acceptable reasons can range from general health concerns, spending more time with family, relocation, career change, and much more.

Keep in mind that this letter is usually not the best method to express dissatisfaction with your company. You can metaphorically nail 95 grievances to your boss’s desk by crafting a letter that details areas of urgent reform, but think hard about the pros and cons of delivering such a letter.

7. Thank You Section

Make sure to end the letter by thanking your manager and if you feel grateful, acknowledge the opportunity they gave you.

8. Signature

If you submit a hard copy of the letter, sign above your typed name. A typed name suffices as an online resignation letter.

Free Resignation Letter Template and Example

Download: Microsoft Word (.docx)

Resignation Letter Template

Resignation Letter Example

The resignation letter example below demonstrates a formal notice of departure from an employee, ‘Patrick Marlin’, from ‘ABC, Inc’. Patrick Marlin details the date he will leave the company and lets the company know that he appreciated his time there and will assist in the upcoming transition.

Resignation Letter Example

Related Employment Documents

View All Documents

Hire People

  • Construction Contract Agreement
  • Employment Contract
  • Employment Verification Letter
  • Freelance Contract
  • Independent Contractor Agreement

Protect Your Business

  • Employee Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
  • Interview Candidate Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
  • Non-Compete Agreement

Manage Employees

  • Leave of Absence Agreement
  • Leave of Absence Letter
Resignation Letter Template
Word

Free Resignation Letter Template

Create Your Resignation Letter in Minutes!

Legal Documents

  • All Legal Forms
  • Bill of Sale Forms
  • Quitclaim Deed
  • Cease and Desist
  • Last Will and Testament
  • Articles of Incorporation

Popular Forms

  • Lease Agreements
  • Power of Attorney Forms
  • Eviction Notice
  • Living Will
  • Non-Disclosure Agreement

Resources

  • Business
  • Estate Planning
  • Financial
  • Personal & Family
  • Real Estate

Company

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Partner With Us

Users

  • Account
  • Pricing
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
McAfee - Together is power.
Trustpilot
BBB Accredited Business

(855) 335-9779, Monday-Friday, 10AM - 6PM EDT

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Copyright 2021 Legal Templates LLC. Legal Templates LLC is not a lawyer, or a law firm and does not engage in the practice of law. Legal Templates cannot and does not provide legal advice or legal representation. All information, software and services provided on the site are for informational purposes and self-help only and are not intended to be a substitute for a lawyer or professional legal advice. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use.