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Free template · five versions

Resignation letter template.

Five resignation letter templates — basic two-week notice, formal, immediate, with reason, and grateful. Each one is short, professional, and ready to copy. No email required, no signup, no paywall.

What's on this page

  1. Five resignation letter templates — pick the one that matches your situation, copy the text, fill the brackets.
  2. What to include (and leave out) — five lines that belong in every letter and three to avoid.
  3. Notice periods by jurisdiction — US, Australian, and UK rules on how much notice is required.
  4. Frequently asked questions — do you have to give a reason, can you rescind, email vs. in person.
  5. For employers — the documents you need when receiving a resignation.
II.
II.The templates

Five templates. Pick the one for your situation.

Each template is shown in full below. Copy the text, fill in the bracketed fields (your name, manager's name, dates), and you have a professional resignation letter ready to send.

Template 01 / 05

1. Standard two-week notice

When to use it: The default for most professional roles in the US, AU, and UK. Short, polite, no reason given.

Dear [Manager's name], I am writing to formally notify you of my resignation from [Job title] at [Company name], effective [End date — typically two weeks from today's date]. I appreciate the opportunities I have had during my time with the team. Over the next two weeks, I am committed to wrapping up my current responsibilities and supporting a smooth transition. Please let me know how I can be most helpful during this period. Thank you for the experience. Sincerely, [Your full name]
Template 02 / 05

2. Formal resignation

When to use it: Senior roles, regulated industries, or where the relationship needs the extra weight. Slightly longer; references your role and contract.

Dear [Manager's name], Please accept this letter as formal notification of my resignation from the position of [Job title] at [Company name]. In accordance with the notice period set out in my employment agreement, my final day will be [End date]. It has been a privilege to contribute to [team or project]. During my notice period I will hand over my active projects, prepare detailed documentation for my successor, and complete any outstanding deliverables. Please advise if there is a preferred process for the formal exit interview, return of company equipment, and finalisation of pay, benefits, and accrued leave. Thank you for your support during my time here. Yours sincerely, [Your full name] [Date]
Template 03 / 05

3. Immediate resignation

When to use it: When you can't or won't give notice — health, safety, family emergency, untenable situation. Brief; doesn't explain unless necessary.

Dear [Manager's name], I am writing to inform you that I am resigning from my position as [Job title] at [Company name], effective immediately, as of [Today's date]. I regret that personal circumstances do not allow me to provide notice. I will return any company property by [Date] and am available by email if there are urgent handover items. Thank you for understanding. Regards, [Your full name]
Template 04 / 05

4. Resignation citing a reason

When to use it: Leaving for a clear and stateable reason — relocation, returning to study, family responsibility, retirement. Honest, brief, forward-looking.

Dear [Manager's name], Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from [Job title] at [Company name], effective [End date]. I have decided to [reason — e.g., relocate to be closer to family / pursue a postgraduate programme / take on full-time caring responsibilities]. This decision was difficult, and I have valued my time on the team. Over the next [notice period], I will work with you on a thorough handover and support the recruitment or onboarding of my replacement however I can. Thank you for the trust and opportunities. Sincerely, [Your full name]
Template 05 / 05

5. Grateful resignation (leaving on a high)

When to use it: A clean professional move where the relationship matters going forward — references, future re-employment, ongoing partnership.

Dear [Manager's name], After [time at the company], I have made the decision to move on from [Company name]. Please accept this letter as my formal notice; my last day will be [End date]. I want to take a moment to say thank you. The work I've done here — particularly [specific thing] — has shaped how I think about [field / discipline]. The people on this team have set a bar I'll carry forward. I'll spend the notice period documenting open work, briefing [successor or peer], and being available for any handover conversations. I hope our paths cross again. With genuine thanks, [Your full name]
III.
III.What to include

Five lines that always belong.

  • 01A clear statement of resignation — name the role you're leaving
  • 02The effective date (your last working day)
  • 03An offer to help with the transition during the notice period
  • 04Brief, sincere thanks — for the role, the team, or the experience
  • 05Your full name and signature line — the letter goes into your HR file

Three things to leave out.

  • Long explanations of why you're leaving

    Even if your reasons are good ones. The letter is a record, not a confession. Save context for the in-person conversation, where it's not part of the paper trail.

  • Grievances or criticism

    Even legitimate ones. If something's worth raising formally, raise it formally — to HR, with a date, in a separate document. Mixing it into the resignation letter weakens both.

  • References to your next role

    Where you're going, what you'll be doing, what they pay. None of it improves the letter; some of it can complicate non-compete or confidentiality discussions.

IV.
IV.Notice periods by jurisdiction

How much notice is required.

The legal floor is set by your employment contract and (in some jurisdictions) by statute. Check both before sending the letter.

United States
At-will employment means no legal notice is required in most states. Two weeks is the professional norm. Contracts may set longer notice for senior roles — check yours.
Australia
Set by the Fair Work Act and your contract. Minimum is one week (under one year of service), rising to four weeks (5+ years). Senior roles often have 8–12 weeks contractually.
United Kingdom
Statutory minimum is one week if you've worked 1+ months. Most contracts set 4–12 weeks depending on seniority. Garden leave is common during notice for senior roles.
V.
V.For employers

The other side of the conversation.

If you're an employer receiving a resignation, the documents you reach for are different. Confidentiality enforcement, offer letters for the successor, and the exit conversation paperwork — each available individually in the library.

VI.
VI.Frequently asked

Questions about resigning.

How much notice should I give in a resignation letter?

Two weeks is the US default for non-executive roles. Australia and the UK follow the notice period in your employment contract — typically four weeks for permanent employees, longer for senior roles. Always check the contract before writing the letter.

Do I need to give a reason for resigning?

No. The legal requirement (where one exists at all) is to provide notice — not to justify the decision. A line like 'I have decided to pursue another opportunity' is more than sufficient if you want to say something. Template #1 above gives none and is perfectly professional.

Should I email the letter or hand it in person?

Tell your manager in a real-time conversation first (in person or video). Then email the letter immediately afterwards so there's a written record with a timestamp. Don't lead with the email — it puts your manager in the awkward position of finding out before you've spoken.

Can I rescind a resignation after I've sent the letter?

Legally, in most jurisdictions, yes — but only if your employer accepts the rescission. Once accepted by the employer, resignation is generally binding. The earlier you raise the rescission the more workable it is.

Do I have to use the company's resignation form?

If your company has an internal form, fill it out — but a separate letter is also good practice. The form goes into HR records; the letter goes to your manager and stays in your personal records as evidence of when and how you resigned.

VII.
VII.The wider library

Built for both sides of the desk.

The resignation letter is free because every HR situation has two sides, and the other side is usually where the paid documents land. Offer letters, employment contracts, performance reviews, NDAs — twelve practice areas, $49 each.