Referral forms are essential tools used across industries to streamline communication, documentation, and service delivery. Whether you’re in healthcare, education, human resources, or nonprofit management, having a reliable referral process can enhance efficiency and ensure proper follow-up.
This article features 47+ free referral form templates in Excel, Word, and PDF formats. These printable and editable templates are designed for various use cases—including medical referrals, client referrals, internal department handovers, and more.
🧾 What Is a Referral Form?
A referral form is a formal document used to refer a patient, client, employee, or student to another service provider, department, or specialist. It captures critical information like:
- Contact details
- Reason for referral
- Service required
- Referring party’s credentials
- Supporting documentation
✅ Benefits of Using Referral Form Templates
Using a referral form template ensures consistency, reduces errors, and saves time. Key benefits include:
✔️ Structured and professional layout
✔️ Improves interdepartmental coordination
✔️ Ensures clear communication
✔️ Compliant with documentation requirements
✔️ Customizable for any business or industry
📂 What’s Included in These 47+ Templates?
Our curated collection covers a wide variety of referral form types, including:
🔹 Medical Referral Forms
• Patient-to-specialist forms
• Hospital transfer documents
• Diagnostic and therapy referrals
• Mental health service referrals
• Dental and vision referral sheets
🔹 General Referral Forms
• Business-to-business referrals
• Client service referrals (social work, legal aid, etc.)
• HR internal referral forms
• Educational referrals for students
• Volunteer or nonprofit organization referrals
🔹 Referral Tracking Forms
• Logs to monitor referral outcomes
• Client follow-up checklists
• Department handover records
Each template includes fields for:
- Names, contact info, and referral source
- Detailed reason for referral
- Signatures and authorization fields
- Notes or observations
- Service categories
📝 Available Formats
You’ll find each template available in:
- Microsoft Word (.docx) – Easy to customize and print
- Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) – Ideal for tracking and logs
- PDF (.pdf) – Ready-to-print and professionally formatted
All templates are fully editable to meet your organization’s branding and documentation needs.
👥 Who Should Use These Templates?
These free referral form templates are useful for:
- Doctors, clinics, hospitals, and therapists
- Social workers and community service providers
- Human resource teams managing internal referrals
- Schools and counselors referring students for support services
- Nonprofits and charities coordinating aid or specialist support
- Business professionals managing client and vendor referrals
📌 Best Practices for Using Referral Forms
To make the most of your referral forms, keep the following tips in mind:
✔️ Keep templates up-to-date with correct contact info
✔️ Use clear, concise language to avoid confusion
✔️ Secure sensitive data, especially in medical or legal use
✔️ Ensure the referred party is informed
✔️ Keep copies for recordkeeping and auditing
📥 Download Your Free Referral Form Templates
Ready to simplify your referral process?
Click below to browse and download all 47+ free referral form templates. Choose the format and type that best fits your industry—whether you’re making a healthcare referral, transferring a student, or helping a client access new services.