The relieving letter format is a letter on company letterhead that confirms your resignation was accepted and that you were relieved of your duties on your last working day. It names your designation, employee ID, resignation date and relieving date, and is signed by HR. New employers in India ask for it at joining and during background checks.
Updated
6 templates to copy
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Relieving letter format at a glance
Letterhead and date
Company letterhead, the date of issue and usually a reference number.
Employee details
Your full name, employee ID, designation and department, as in company records.
Resignation reference
The date of your resignation letter or email, and that the company accepted it.
Relieving date
The last working day from which you are relieved of all duties, written in full.
Settlement and dues
A line that your full and final settlement is done or will follow company policy.
Signature
Name, designation and signature of HR or an authorised signatory, with the seal if used.
6 relieving letter samples to copy
Email
Email to HR asking for your relieving letterEmail
SubjectRequest for relieving letter – [Your name], Employee ID [ID]
Dear [HR name],
My last working day at [Company name] was [date], as [designation] in the [department] team. My handover is complete, and I have returned my laptop and ID card.
Could you please share my relieving letter and experience letter? A signed PDF by email works for me. Please let me know if anything is pending from my side for the no-dues clearance.
Thank you,
[Your name]
Employee ID: [ID]
[Phone number]
Follow-up when the relieving letter is delayedEmail
SubjectFollow-up: relieving letter pending – [Your name], Employee ID [ID]
Dear [HR name],
I am writing again about my relieving letter, which I requested on [date]. My last working day was [date], I served my notice period [in full / as agreed], and my no-dues clearance was completed on [date].
My new employer needs the letter by [date] to complete my joining formalities. Could you please confirm when it will be issued, or tell me what is pending so I can close it quickly?
I have copied [manager’s name] for reference.
Regards,
[Your name]
Employee ID: [ID]
[Phone number]
Letter
Standard relieving letterLetter
[Company letterhead]
Ref. No.: [reference number]
Date: [date]
To,
[Employee name]
Employee ID: [ID]
[Address]
Subject: Relieving letter
Dear [Employee name],
This is with reference to your resignation dated [date of resignation]. Your resignation has been accepted, and you are relieved from your duties as [designation] in the [department] department with effect from the close of business on [last working day].
Your full and final settlement will be processed as per company policy.
We thank you for your contribution to [Company name] and wish you success in the future.
For [Company name],
[Signature]
[Name]
[Designation, HR]
Relieving and experience letter (combined)Letter
[Company letterhead]
Date: [date]
RELIEVING AND EXPERIENCE LETTER
This is to certify that [Employee name] (Employee ID: [ID]) worked with [Company name] as [designation] in the [department] department from [date of joining] to [last working day].
[He/She/They] resigned from [his/her/their] position by letter dated [date of resignation], which was accepted. [He/She/They] has been relieved of [his/her/their] duties with effect from [last working day], and there are no dues pending from [him/her/them].
During [his/her/their] tenure, [he/she/they] [one or two lines on responsibilities].
We wish [him/her/them] the very best.
For [Company name],
[Signature and seal]
[Name], [Designation]
Relieving letter after early release or notice buyoutLetter
[Company letterhead]
Date: [date]
To,
[Employee name]
Employee ID: [ID]
Subject: Relieving letter
Dear [Employee name],
With reference to your resignation dated [date of resignation] and your request for early release, the management has agreed to relieve you on [last working day], [waiving the remaining notice period / with recovery of notice pay for the unserved days, as per company policy].
You are relieved from your duties as [designation] with effect from the close of business on [last working day]. Your full and final settlement will reflect the above.
We wish you success in your future endeavours.
For [Company name],
[Signature]
[Name], [Designation, HR]
Short message
Short message to HRShort message
Hi [HR name], this is [Your name] (Employee ID [ID]). My last working day was [date] and my clearance is done. Could you share my relieving letter by email? My new company needs it for joining. Thank you.
Subject lines to request your relieving letter
Request for relieving letter – [Your name], Employee ID [ID]
Relieving and experience letter request – [Your name]
Follow-up: relieving letter pending – [Your name], Employee ID [ID]
Relieving letter needed for joining on [date] – [Your name]
When do you get your relieving letter?
You usually get the relieving letter on your last working day or soon after. By law, the wages due when you leave must be paid within two working days of your last day, and any gratuity within 30 days; companies often take longer to send the full settlement statement and letters, so ask HR for a date in writing. Before it is issued, most companies want your handover done, company assets such as your laptop and ID card returned, and no-dues clearance signed by your team, IT and finance.
If you left early, the notice buyout or waiver has to be settled first. Ask HR on your last day when to expect it, and request it in writing if a week passes without it.
What is a relieving letter?
A relieving letter is the document your employer issues to confirm that you resigned, that the company accepted it and that you were released from your duties on a stated date. It shows a new employer that you left properly and are free to join. It is different from an experience letter, which confirms your role and tenure, though many companies combine the two.
Is a relieving letter mandatory for a new job?
No law requires it, but many employers in India ask for it at joining, and background verification agencies use it to confirm you have left your last job. Some offers are confirmed only after it arrives. If yours is delayed, tell your new HR early and share your resignation acceptance email, last payslips and Form 16 in the meantime.
What if your company does not give a relieving letter?
First find out why. The usual reasons are pending dues, an unserved notice period, assets not returned or exit clearance not signed.
Email HR with your employee ID, last working day and what you have completed, and ask what is pending.
Clear anything that is fairly yours to clear, such as returning assets or paying an agreed notice buyout.
Follow up in writing once a week and copy your former manager.
Keep your resignation email, the acceptance reply, payslips, Form 16 and your EPF service history as proof of employment.
If HR still refuses without a reason, a lawyer or your state's labour department can advise you on next steps. If you are a worker at an establishment covered by standing orders, the Model Standing Orders, 2026 entitle you to a service certificate within ten days of resigning.
What documents should you collect when you leave a job?
Ask HR for all of these before or soon after your last working day:
Relieving letter and experience letter (or one combined letter).
Full and final settlement statement, with your last salary, leave encashment, gratuity if you have five or more years of service, and any recoveries.
Last three payslips, and Form 16 (Form 130 from tax year 2026-27) once it is issued, by 15 June after the tax year.
Your PF details, so you can transfer your balance to your new employer.
No. A relieving letter confirms you resigned and were released from duties on a date. An experience letter confirms your role and how long you worked there. Many companies issue one combined relieving and experience letter that covers both.
Usually it comes on your last working day or with your full and final settlement, a few weeks later. It depends on company policy and on whether your handover, asset return and no-dues clearance are complete.
Often, yes, if your new employer agrees. Many accept your resignation acceptance email and last payslips at joining and collect the relieving letter later for background verification. Tell your new HR early if yours is delayed.
Usually only after you settle it. If the company waives the remaining notice or you pay the buyout as agreed, it can issue the letter. Leaving without either can delay it, so agree your release date in writing before you go.
HR or another authorised signatory of the company, on letterhead, usually with a reference number and sometimes the company seal. Your manager cannot issue it on their own.
