A two weeks’ notice letter should be short, clear and positive.
It states that you are resigning, gives your last day, thanks your employer and offers to help with the handover.
AdvertisementThe five samples below cover the most common situations, and the builder after them lets you create your own letter in a minute.
In the resignation letter builder, choose whether to give a reason, pick a tone, tap the help you can offer, then edit the text and print or copy it.
5 Samples of Two Weeks’ Notice Resignation Letters
Each sample is fictional and uses placeholders for dates. Replace names, titles and details with your own, and check your contract before you send a letter.
Quick jump: With a reasonWithout a reasonShortNew opportunityWarm
Sample 1: Two Weeks’ Notice Resignation Letter With a Reason
Amelia Cornwall
[Address]
[Email | Phone]
[Date]
Ms. Alvarez
Director of Client Services
Nashoba Valley Marketing Services
Dear Ms. Alvarez,
Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from my position as Marketing Coordinator at Nashoba Valley Marketing Services. My last day will be [last day, two weeks from today].
My family is relocating to Denver to care for a relative, and I will not be able to continue in the role. This was not an easy decision, because I have valued my time on the team.
Over the next two weeks, I will finish the fourth-quarter client report, document my active campaigns and train a teammate on our scheduling tools. Please let me know if there is anything else that would help the handover.
Thank you for the opportunities and support you have given me. I wish you and the team continued success.
Sincerely,
Amelia Cornwall
Sample 2: Two Weeks’ Notice Resignation Letter Without a Reason
Daniel Rivera
[Address]
[Email | Phone]
[Date]
Mr. Vance
Office Manager
Harrington Inc.
Dear Mr. Vance,
Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from my position as Administrative Assistant at Harrington Inc. My last day will be [last day, two weeks from today].
Thank you for the training and guidance you have given me during my time here. I will complete my current filing and scheduling tasks and prepare notes for whoever takes over my duties.
I wish you and the company continued success.
Sincerely,
Daniel Rivera
Sample 3: Short and Straightforward Resignation
Luna Mendez
[Email | Phone]
[Date]
Mr. Okoye
XYZ Company
Dear Mr. Okoye,
This letter is my formal notice of resignation from my role as Marketing Manager at XYZ Company, effective [last day, two weeks from today].
Thank you for the opportunity to work here. I will do my best to make the transition smooth.
Sincerely,
Luna Mendez
Sample 4: Resignation for a New Opportunity
Marcus Lee
[Address]
[Email | Phone]
[Date]
Ms. Brooks
Finance Manager
Summit Supply Co.
Dear Ms. Brooks,
In line with my employment agreement, please accept this letter as two weeks’ written notice of my resignation from my position as Accounting Assistant at Summit Supply Co. My last day will be [last day, two weeks from today].
I have accepted a position that fits the next stage of my career. I am grateful for what I have learned here about month-end close and vendor reconciliation.
Before I leave, I will complete the October reconciliations, update the process notes and train my replacement if you would like.
Thank you for your support. I wish you and the team the very best.
Sincerely,
Marcus Lee
Sample 5: Warm Resignation After a Long Tenure
Andrew Michael
[Address]
[Email | Phone]
[Date]
Dear John,
I am writing to resign from my position as Product Manager at ABC Company. My last working day will be [last day, two weeks from today].
Thank you for the trust and guidance you have given me over the past four years. Leading the customer portal redesign with you and the team has been one of the highlights of my career, and I will always value it.
I am committed to a smooth handover. I will document my roadmap, brief the team on the open projects and be available for questions before my last day.
Thank you again. I wish you and ABC Company continued success.
Sincerely,
Andrew Michael
Free Two Weeks’ Notice Letter Builder
Step 1. Do you want to give a reason?
Step 2. What tone fits your workplace?
Step 3. Tap the help you can really offer during your two weeks.
Step 4. Click any text in the letter to edit it.
Replace every [bracket] with your real details. Tell your manager in person or by phone first if you can, then send the letter.
No reason: you are not required to give one. A neutral letter keeps things professional and brief.
New opportunity: keep it positive and short. Do not name the new employer unless you want to, and do not compare it with this one.
Relocating: a simple, factual reason is fine. Add your last day and your offer to help with the handover.
Personal reasons: you do not need to explain details. A short, general line is enough.
Brief tone: best when you want to keep things short and formal, or the relationship is neutral.
Standard tone: the safe default. Thankful, professional and positive.
Warm tone: for a long tenure and a good relationship. Mention one real highlight.
[Your Address]
[Email | Phone]
[Date]
[Manager Name]
[Manager Title]
[Company Name]
Dear [Manager Name],
Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from my position as [Job Title] at [Company Name]. My last day will be [date, two weeks from today]. I have accepted a new opportunity that fits the next stage of my career.I am relocating to [city or region] and will not be able to continue in the role.I need to step away from the role for personal reasons.
Thank you for the opportunity to work here.Thank you for the opportunities and support I have received during my time at [Company]. I have learned a great deal and appreciate working with you and the team.Thank you for the trust, guidance and opportunities you have given me over the past [number] years. Working with you and the team on [project or achievement] has been one of the highlights of my career, and I will always value it.
I am glad to train a replacement or help with the hiring process.
Before I leave, I will document my duties, key contacts and the status of my current projects.
I will complete [project or task] before my last day.
After I leave, I am happy to answer brief questions at [email or phone] to help the transition.
I wish you and the company continued success.
Sincerely,
[Signature, if printed]
[Your Full Name]
To save: press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) and choose Save as PDF. Only the letter prints. To copy part of it, select the text and press Ctrl+C or Cmd+C.
How to Write a Two Weeks’ Notice Letter
- Check your contract and handbook. A contract can set notice terms. For at-will employees, written notice is generally not required, but two weeks is the courteous standard.
- Tell your manager first. If possible, say it in person or by phone, then send the letter for the record.
- State the resignation and last day clearly, in the first paragraph.
- Keep the reason brief or leave it out.
- Thank your employer sincerely. You may need a reference later.
- Offer specific transition help, and then do what you promise.
- Keep it positive and keep a copy.
What to Include in the Letter
| Part | What to write |
|---|---|
| Contact and date | Your name and contact details, the date, and your manager’s name, title and company |
| Clear statement | That you are resigning, from which role, and your last working day (about two weeks from the date) |
| Reason (optional) | One short, factual, positive sentence, or none |
| Thanks | A sincere sentence about the opportunity, the team or what you learned |
| Transition help | What you will do in your last two weeks: train, document, finish projects |
| Closing | Good wishes, a closing and your signature |
Final Pay, Vacation and Benefits
These rules vary by state and by employer, so check them before you resign. This page is general information, not legal advice.
- Notice: at-will employment generally lets either side end the job at any time, but a contract or statute can require notice or other conditions.
- Final paycheck: deadlines vary by state and by how you left. For example, in Massachusetts a resigning employee is paid by the end of the regular pay cycle, while a terminated one is paid on the last day.
- Unused vacation or PTO: no federal law requires a payout. Roughly 24 states treat accrued vacation as earned wages, and others require payment only if the policy promises it.
- Using PTO during notice: your employer’s written policy governs. Requests for a day or two are more likely to be approved than using all your PTO.
- Health insurance: coverage may end immediately or at the end of the month, depending on the company and your separation date.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Complaining or criticizing your manager, coworkers or the company.
- Being vague about the last day. Give a date.
- Surprising your manager with a letter and no conversation.
- Promising help you cannot deliver.
- Sending it to the wrong person or with the wrong company name or date.
- Forgetting to keep a copy.
- Typos. Our free proofreading service can check your letter.
Resignation Letter Checklist
Tick each item as you finish. Your letter is ready when the counter reaches 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is two weeks’ notice legally required?
For at-will employees, written notice is generally not required, but giving two weeks is the common courtesy, and a reference may depend on it. An employment contract or other agreement can require notice, so check yours first. Exceptions and details vary by state and employer.
Do I have to give a reason for resigning?
No. A reason is optional. If you give one, keep it short, factual and positive. Many people simply state the resignation and last day.
Should I tell my manager before sending the letter?
If you can, tell your manager in person or by phone first, then send the letter for the record. It shows respect and avoids a surprise.
Can I use my vacation or PTO during my notice period?
It depends on your employer’s written policy. Federal law does not give you a right to use PTO after resigning, and employers may deny it. A day or two is more likely to be approved than using all your PTO to cover the notice period. Pre-approved time off is usually honored.
Will I be paid for unused vacation?
It depends on your state and your employer’s policy. No federal law requires payout of unused PTO. Roughly half the states treat accrued vacation as earned wages that must be paid, and others require it only if the policy promises it. Check your handbook and your state labor department.
When do I get my final paycheck?
Deadlines vary by state and by whether you resigned or were terminated. Some states require payment by your last day, and others allow it by the next regular payday. Check your state department of labor.
What if my employer asks me to leave right away?
It can happen. Pay for the notice period and the timing of your final pay depend on state law and your employment terms. Ask HR for confirmation in writing.
Can I ask for a reference?
Yes. It is best to ask your manager in person or by email separately from the resignation letter, and to leave on good terms. Your manager may be a future reference.
Can I send a resignation email instead of a letter?
Yes, in most workplaces. Use a clear subject line, such as Resignation: [Your Name], and the same content as a letter. Follow your company’s policy if it requires a signed letter. See our guide to writing a two weeks notice email.
Related Reading
- Two weeks’ notice letter on good terms
- How to write a two weeks’ notice email
- One-week notice resignation letter samples
- Resignation letter without a notice period
- Retail resignation letter, two weeks’ notice
- Nurse resignation letter, two weeks’ notice
- Teacher two-week notice resignation letter
Sources: Chron, Tips on giving notice and receiving final pay; TriNet, Can I use PTO after giving two weeks’ notice? (reviewed February 2026). Rules vary by state and employer. Sample letters are fictional.