Template · Free download
Resignation Letter Template
Six resignation letter examples (two weeks' notice, short, immediate, retirement, new job, transition), US/UK/India notice rules, and an HR checklist.
Sign in with Google below to download the PDF and CSV straight away.
Get your free download
Sign in with Google to unlock the PDF and CSV instantly. No form to fill in.
Free. By continuing you agree to our terms and privacy policy. We record your email and this download; marketing emails only if you tick the box.
What you get
- Six full resignation letter examples for the most common situations, ready to fill in
- A what-to-include checklist and a list of things to leave out
- Notice period rules for the US, UK, and India
- A resignation acceptance letter HR or managers can send in reply
- An HR checklist for processing a resignation: last day, final pay, PTO, benefits, exit interview
Template preview
A preview of the structure. Download the PDF or CSV for the complete, ready-to-use version.
Details to fill in
- Your full name and job title
- Manager's name
- Date of letter
- Last working day— a specific date, e.g. Friday, October 10, 2026
Example 1: Standard two weeks' notice
[Your name] [Date] Dear [Manager name], Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from my position as [Job title] at [Company name]. My last working day will be [Date], two weeks from today. Over the next two weeks I'll finish [specific open work, e.g. the Q4 budget reconciliation] and write up handover notes for [key responsibilities]. I'm happy to help train whoever picks up my work. Thank you for the opportunity to work on [specific project or team] over the past [length of time]. I've learned a great deal here, particularly [one specific thing]. Please let me know what you need from me to make the handover smooth. After I leave, I can be reached at [personal email]. Sincerely, [Your name]
Example 2: Short and simple
Dear [Manager name], I am resigning from my position as [Job title], effective [Last working day]. Thank you for your support during my time at [Company name]. I will do what I can to hand over my work before I leave. Best regards, [Your name]
Example 3: Immediate resignation
Dear [Manager name], Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from my role as [Job title] at [Company name], effective immediately. [Optional, one line only: Due to [personal / health / family] circumstances, I am unable to work a notice period.] I regret the short notice. I've left notes on [open work and where to find it] in [location, e.g. the shared team drive], and I'll return company equipment by [date]. Please send my final paycheck and any benefits information to [address or email]. Sincerely, [Your name]
Example 4: Retirement
Dear [Manager name], After [number] years with [Company name], I am writing to let you know that I plan to retire. My last working day will be [Date]. I'm giving [length, e.g. three months'] notice so there's time to plan a proper handover. I'd be glad to help recruit and train my successor and to document [specific knowledge, e.g. the supplier relationships and pricing history I manage]. I've valued working at [Company name], especially [specific memory or achievement]. Thank you for the trust you and the team have placed in me. I'll contact HR separately about pension, retiree health coverage, and my final pay. With thanks, [Your name]
This is a preview — the full template continues in the download.
Sign in above to download the full template.
How to use this template
- 1
Check your contract or handbook for the notice period
In the US, two weeks is custom rather than law unless your contract says otherwise. In the UK and India, the notice period in your contract is usually binding.
- 2
Tell your manager in person first
Have the conversation, by video if remote, before the letter lands in their inbox. The letter confirms what you've already said.
- 3
Pick the closest example and fill in the placeholders
Replace every bracketed field with your details. State your last working day as a date, not "two weeks from today."
- 4
Send it in writing and keep a copy
Email the letter to your manager and copy HR, or attach a signed PDF. Save a copy with the date sent.
- 5
HR: acknowledge in writing and start offboarding
Send the acceptance letter within a day or two, confirm the last day, and work through the processing checklist below.
Frequently asked questions
What should a resignation letter say?
That you're resigning, your job title, and your exact last working day. Most letters also offer help with the handover, say a brief thank-you, and give a personal email for final pay and tax documents. Three or four short paragraphs is plenty.
Is two weeks' notice required by law in the US?
No. Most US employment is at-will, so either side can end it without notice. Two weeks is a professional custom, and some employers make it a condition for PTO payout or rehire eligibility, so check your handbook and any contract.
How much notice do I have to give in the UK?
The legal minimum is one week once you've worked for the employer for one month, but your contract usually sets a longer period, often one to three months. If you leave before the contractual notice ends without agreement, you may be in breach of contract.
Can I resign effective immediately?
In the US, usually yes, although you may lose PTO payout under some policies or eligibility for rehire. In the UK and India, leaving without serving notice can breach your contract, and in India employers commonly recover notice pay or withhold the relieving letter. Ask to agree a shorter notice period in writing where you can.
Should I give a reason for resigning?
You don't have to. A short, neutral reason such as a new opportunity or relocation is fine, but leave out complaints — the letter stays in your personnel file. If you want to give critical feedback, the exit interview is a better place for it.
Can an employer refuse to accept a resignation?
Not really — a resignation is a notice, not a request, and it takes effect once given. The employer can, however, hold you to a contractual notice period, ask you to leave sooner, or put you on garden leave. The acceptance letter simply confirms dates and next steps.