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Relieving Letter Format

Relieving letter and experience certificate format for Indian companies.

By Priya Sharma · Last updated 2026-05-05

What a relieving letter is for

The relieving letter is your former employer's written confirmation that you completed your notice period and your service is now terminated as of a specific date. It is the single most-asked document during background verification at your next job — banks won't process your employment-linked loan without it.

Indian employers expect to see: company letterhead, addressed to you by name + employee ID, your designation, joining date, last working day, a one-line statement that all your dues are settled (or pending if applicable), a polite line wishing you success, and an authorised signature.

How it differs from an experience letter

An experience letter (or service certificate) summarises your role, responsibilities, and tenure — useful for future job applications. A relieving letter says you have been formally relieved as of date X — useful for joining a new employer who needs proof you cleared the previous one.

Most Indian companies issue both together. If yours doesn't, request both — and clarify with HR before your last day so there's no chase post-exit.

Step-by-step

  1. 1.
    Email HR pre-exit
    1 week before last working day, formally request the relieving letter and experience letter.
  2. 2.
    Complete clearances
    Asset return, knowledge transfer sign-off, no-dues from finance — these gate the letter.
  3. 3.
    Confirm letter content
    Verify designation, dates, employee ID. Errors in the letter cause headaches at BGV.
  4. 4.
    Save digital + physical copies
    PDF, hard copy, and back-up cloud storage. Banks often need notarised copies.

FAQ

How long after my last day should I receive it?

Within 2-4 weeks per most Indian company policies. Escalate to HR head if delayed beyond 30 days.

What if my employer refuses to issue a relieving letter?

Most often this is a process issue (unsigned no-dues, unreturned asset). Resolve those, then escalate. As a last resort, the labour commissioner can be approached, but it's a long path — fix process issues first.

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Relieving Letter Format (Free, 2026) | ResumeBanao