Two Weeks Notice Letter: 6 Samples You Can Copy

A two weeks notice letter is a short, dated message that tells your employer your last working day, which is usually 14 days from the date you send it. It needs four things: the date you are writing, your last day, a one-line thank you, and an offer to help with the handover. It does not need a reason for leaving, a complaint or an apology.

Giving two weeks is a professional norm in the United States, not something this guide can tell you the law requires. Below you will find the legal basics, a template, six samples (basic, email, long-tenure, short notice, senior and contract), what to say in person first, and how to handle a counteroffer. Write it quickly with our resignation letter generator, or copy the samples and change the details.

Is two weeks notice required by law?

Usually it is a courtesy, not a rule. USA.gov describes at-will employment this way: "An employer or employee can end the employment at any time, for any reason. However, the reason for termination cannot be illegal" (USA.gov, termination guidance). Notice becomes an obligation when something else says so:

• A contract or offer letter. If yours names a notice period, such as 30 days, follow it. Read it before you write anything.
• Company policy. A handbook can ask for notice, and it can affect things like rehire eligibility or payout of unused vacation, depending on the policy and your state.

This is general information, not legal advice. If you have a contract, a union agreement or a non-compete, check it or ask an employment lawyer.

Your final pay is a separate issue and the rules vary by state. In California, for example, an employee without a written contract for a definite period who gives 72 hours notice must be paid all wages, including accrued vacation, at the time of quitting, and one who gives less must be paid within 72 hours of quitting (California Department of Industrial Relations, paydays and final wages). Look up your own state labor department's page, because pay deadlines and vacation payout differ.

Some employers also decide to end the job on the day you give notice instead of letting you work it out. Plan for that possibility: before you hand in notice, copy anything personal off your devices and keep any pay or benefit documents you may need.

What to include in a two weeks notice letter

1. Date of the letter. It starts the clock and gives a record.
2. Addressee. Your direct manager. Copy HR if your company asks you to.
3. A clear statement of resignation. "I am resigning from my position as [title]."
4. Your last day. Write the actual date, not "in two weeks".
5. A thank you. One specific line is enough.
6. An offer to help with the transition. Handover notes, training a replacement, finishing key projects.
7. Your signature. Your name; a printed letter also gets a signature.

Leave out the reason you are leaving, criticism of people or the company, anything about your new salary, and requests. If you want to give feedback, do it in the exit interview or in a conversation, not in writing.

Template

[Your name] [Date]

[Manager's name] [Company]

Dear [Manager's first name],

Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from my position as [job title] at [Company]. My last day will be [date, 14 days from today].

Thank you for [one specific thing: the opportunity, a project, the mentoring]. I have valued working with you and the team.

Over the next two weeks I will [wrap up X and document Y], and I am happy to help train my replacement or hand over my work in whatever way is most useful.

Sincerely, [Your name]

6 two weeks notice letter samples

1. Basic, formal

October 9, 2026

Dear Ms. Alvarez,

I am writing to resign from my position as Customer Success Manager at Brightline. My last day will be October 23, 2026.

Thank you for the support and the chance to lead the onboarding team. I will complete the Q1 handover documents and brief my replacement before I leave.

Sincerely, Marcus Reed

2. Short email

Use this when your company runs on email. Put the news in the subject line so it is not missed.

Subject: Resignation: Priya Shah, last day October 23

Hi Tom,

Following up on our conversation today, I am resigning from my role as Marketing Analyst. My last day will be October 23.

Thank you for everything over the past three years. I will update the reporting documentation this week and I am glad to help with the transition in any way you need.

Priya

3. After many years at the company

Dear Janet,

After nine years at Harlow & Co., I have decided to move on, and I am resigning as Operations Supervisor, effective November 6.

I am grateful for the trust you placed in me and the people I got to work with. I will finish the warehouse audit, update the shift handbook and train Dan on the carrier system so the team is covered.

It has been a pleasure.

Warm regards, Chris Okafor

4. When you cannot give two weeks (short notice)

Be honest, apologetic in one sentence and constructive. Check your contract first.

Dear Ms. Patel,

I am resigning from my position as Support Specialist, effective Friday, [date]. I am sorry the notice is shorter than I would like. [Brief true reason if you want, for example: my new role starts sooner than expected.]

I will document my open tickets and process notes before I leave and am available by email to answer questions during the first week after.

Thank you for the opportunity.

Sincerely, Jo Lin

5. Senior or manager role (longer notice)

Many senior and manager roles use 30 days or more. Check your contract, then offer a clear transition plan.

Dear Sarah,

I am resigning as Director of Product, with my last day to be [date, 30 days out]. I have agreed to this longer period so the team has time to plan.

Over the next month I will complete the roadmap review, hand over my direct reports to [name or your suggested plan], and brief the leadership team on the three open decisions. I am happy to take part in recruiting my replacement.

Thank you for the trust and the work we have done together.

Sincerely, Dev Menon

6. Contract or fixed-term role

Dear Ms. Nguyen,

Under clause [number] of my contract, I am giving [30] days notice of the end of my engagement as UX Designer. My last day will be [date].

Thank you for the work and the team. I will complete the handoff of the design files and the component library notes by [date].

Sincerely, Ava Brooks

Say it in person first

Do not let your manager learn about it from an email. Ask for a short private meeting, say it in one sentence ("I have accepted another opportunity and I wanted you to hear it from me first"), give your last date and hand over the letter afterwards. Keep the conversation brief and positive. You do not owe an explanation of where you are going or how much you will earn.

If they make a counteroffer

Decide before you speak what would make you stay, and whether anything could. A raise does not change what made you want to leave. If you accept, ask for the change in writing. If you decline, say so politely: "Thank you, I appreciate it. I have made my decision." Then continue your handover.

What to do before and after you send it

• Before: line up the new job in writing, read your contract, save your performance reviews, copy personal files, and collect names and contact details of people who could be references.
• During the notice period: document your processes, finish or hand off projects, and stay professional. Colleagues you leave on good terms become references and contacts.
• After: return equipment, confirm your final pay, benefits end dates and any PTO payout in writing, and update your LinkedIn.

If you are between jobs, update your resume with the resume builder and write a matching letter in the cover letter builder. Your first PDF or Word download is free, once per account, resume or cover letter, and plain text (.txt) downloads are always free. After that, PDF and Word need Pro at $6.95 a month, billed monthly, no trial, cancel anytime. The cover letter guide covers the letters you will write for the next job, and the thank you email templates help after you interview. Staying inside the company instead? See the internal cover letter guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to give two weeks notice?+

Usually it is a courtesy, because most US employment is at will (USA.gov: either side can end it at any time, for any reason that is not illegal). A contract or company policy can require notice, so check yours. Notice protects your references and sometimes your rehire status.

Can I give less than two weeks notice?+

Yes, if no contract requires more. Be honest, offer a handover and expect that it may affect how your employer sees you. Check your state's final pay rules, since some states, like California, tie pay deadlines to how much notice you give (California Department of Industrial Relations).

Should I send a letter or an email?+

Tell your manager in person or on a call first, then send a short email or letter as the written record. An email is accepted at most companies.

Do I have to say why I am leaving?+

No. A resignation letter does not need a reason. If you want to share one, keep it positive and brief.

Can my employer tell me to leave immediately?+

Some employers do. Whether you are paid for the notice period depends on company policy, your contract and your state, so ask HR in writing. Prepare as if your last day might be today.

Who should I send it to?+

Your direct manager, with HR copied if your company's process asks for it.