Letter of Authorization Template
A letter of authorization is a signed document that grants another person or business the right to act on your behalf for a specific task.
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How to fill out a letter of authorization
Three steps take you from a blank page to a signed letter.
Open the template
Open the letter of authorization template in our editor to begin filling it out.
Fill in the template
Fill in the authorizing party, the authorized person, and the permission granted.
Download the template
Download the completed letter of authorization as a PDF ready to sign and share.
What is a letter of authorization?
A letter of authorization is a written statement that gives one person the legal standing to act for another in a defined situation, from picking up a package to signing paperwork at a bank. Our letter of authorization template sets out the same information: who is granting permission, who is receiving it, and precisely what the authorized person is allowed to do. Courts, banks, and companies typically ask for one before dealing with a representative instead of the account holder.
Key Takeaways
- A letter of authorization grants permission
- Names both parties and their roles
- Signed and dated to take effect
What does a letter of authorization look like?
The document opens with the date and the names and addresses of both the person granting authority and the person receiving it. A middle section spells out exactly what the authorized person may do — collect a package, submit paperwork, or represent the owner in a meeting — and for how long. It closes with a signature line, with room for a notary seal if the situation calls for one.
Authorization letter vs. template: what's different?
A letter of authorization form usually asks you to fill blanks within a fixed layout, while a template gives you the full wording to adjust freely. Our letter of authorization template Word file lets you rewrite clauses to match your situation, and the letter of authorization template PDF version keeps the layout fixed once you're ready to print and sign. Both cover the same core information — choose the format that suits how you plan to use it.
Does a letter of authorization need notarizing?
Whether a letter of authorization needs notarizing depends on who is asking for it — banks handling money or property transfers often require it, while most retailers and shipping companies accept a signed copy without one. A notarized letter of authorization template includes a designated block for the notary's seal and signature so the document can be witnessed properly. Check with the receiving party before deciding whether that step is necessary.
What can a letter of authorization be used for?
A letter of authorization covers a wide range of situations: a sample letter of authorization to act on behalf of someone else at a government office, a parent authorizing a school pickup, or a sample authorization letter to transfer ownership of property when an owner cannot attend the signing in person. Each version follows the same structure, only the described task and its limits change.
Frequently asked questions
