A relieving letter is a critical HR document issued by an employer to formally confirm that an employee has been relieved from their duties after resignation, termination, or contract completion. It verifies the last working day, confirms handover completion, and often serves as essential proof for future employment, background checks, and official records.
Informal or incomplete relieving letters can create complications for both employers and employees. Free professional relieving letter templates in Word provide clear, standardized formats that help organizations issue accurate, compliant, and professional exit documentation.
This article presents 35+ free relieving letter templates, available in Word format, suitable for HR departments, startups, corporations, and institutions.
What Is a Relieving Letter?
A relieving letter is a formal document issued by an employer stating that an employee has been officially relieved from their position.
A standard relieving letter typically includes:
- Employee’s full name and designation
- Department or role
- Date of resignation acceptance
- Last working day
- Confirmation of duties and handover completion
- Statement of no pending obligations (if applicable)
- Appreciation or best wishes
- Authorized signature and company details
Relieving letters confirm a clean and professional separation.
Why Use Free Professional Relieving Letter Templates?
Using free professional relieving letter templates offers several benefits.
Key advantages include:
- Clear HR-compliant structure
- Professional and neutral tone
- Time-saving documentation process
- Reduced risk of missing critical details
- Easy customization for different exit scenarios
Templates help ensure consistency across employee exits.
35+ Free Professional Relieving Letter Templates (Word)
Below is a curated collection of free relieving letter templates, organized by employment type and usage context.
Standard and Corporate Relieving Letters (1–14)
- Standard Employee Relieving Letter
- Corporate Relieving Letter Template
- Formal Relieving Letter from HR
- Employee Exit Relieving Letter
- Relieving Letter with Appreciation Note
- Relieving Letter After Resignation
- Relieving Letter with Notice Period Completion
- Professional Relieving Letter Format
- Relieving Letter with Last Working Day Confirmation
- Relieving Letter on Company Letterhead
- Simple Relieving Letter Template
- Editable Relieving Letter (Word)
- Relieving Letter for Permanent Employees
- Printable Professional Relieving Letter
Relieving Letters by Employment Type (15–26)
- Relieving Letter for Contract Employees
- Relieving Letter for Temporary Staff
- Relieving Letter for Interns
- Relieving Letter for Probationary Employees
- Relieving Letter for Consultants
- Relieving Letter for Part-Time Employees
- Relieving Letter for Project-Based Roles
- Relieving Letter After Contract Completion
- Relieving Letter for Remote Employees
- Relieving Letter for Executive Positions
- Relieving Letter for Senior Management
- Relieving Letter with Experience Summary
HR, Compliance, and Special Use Templates (27–35+)
- Relieving Letter with No Dues Confirmation
- Relieving Letter with Handover Checklist
- Relieving Letter for Immediate Resignation
- Relieving Letter After Mutual Separation
- Relieving Letter for Termination (Neutral Tone)
- Relieving Letter with HR Contact Details
- Relieving Letter for Background Verification
- Universal Relieving Letter Template
- Complete Professional Relieving Letter Templates Pack
Why Use Word Format for Relieving Letters?
Word is the preferred format for HR documentation due to flexibility and professional presentation.
Benefits of Word relieving letter templates include:
- Fully editable content
- Easy personalization for company policies
- Simple printing or email delivery
- Professional formatting
- Compatibility across devices
Word templates support efficient HR workflows.
Best Practices for Issuing a Relieving Letter
To ensure accuracy and acceptance:
- Confirm resignation or exit approval
- Clearly state the last working day
- Verify handover and no-dues status
- Maintain a neutral and professional tone
- Issue the letter promptly
Proper documentation supports smooth transitions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When preparing relieving letters, avoid:
- Missing last working day details
- Informal or emotional language
- Ambiguous statements about responsibilities
- Lack of authorized signature
- Delayed issuance
Avoiding these issues protects both employer and employee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a relieving letter mandatory?
It is commonly required for employment verification and future job applications.
Is a relieving letter different from an experience letter?
Yes. A relieving letter confirms exit, while an experience letter summarizes work history.
Are these templates editable?
Yes. All templates are fully editable in Word.
Can relieving letters be issued digitally?
Yes. Many organizations issue them via email or HR portals.
Conclusion
Relieving letters are essential documents that formally conclude an employee’s tenure while confirming compliance and professionalism. The 35+ free professional relieving letter templates in this guide provide structured, HR-ready formats for handling employee exits accurately and efficiently.
With templates available in Word format, organizations can confidently issue relieving letters that meet professional standards, support verification needs, and ensure smooth workforce transitions.
