Relieving letter, experience letter and full and final: the emails to HR
After your last day, three documents are yours to collect. One short email each, with your employee ID and last day where HR will look for them.
What each one is
Relieving letter
Says you resigned, served your notice and were released. Your next employer usually asks for it, and background checks look for it.
Experience letter
States your role and the dates you worked there. Some companies combine it with the relieving letter; ask for both if they do not.
Full and final settlement
Your last salary, leave encashment and any dues, minus anything you owe. You get a statement; ask for it if it does not arrive.
Write the email
Subject
Request for relieving letter: [Your name], [Employee ID]
Dear HR team, My last working day as [Your role] at [Company] was [last working day], and my handover is complete. Could you please share my relieving letter? My employee ID is [Employee ID]. Please let me know if anything is pending from my side. Thank you, [Your name]
7 blanks in [brackets] to fill.
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Questions people ask
When should I ask for the relieving letter?
On or just after your last working day, once the handover and exit formalities (laptop, ID card, clearances) are done. Many companies issue it with the full and final settlement, so it can take a few weeks; your company’s policy decides how long.
My new employer needs it before I have it. What do I do?
Ask HR for the relieving letter by a date, giving the reason, as the builder does. Meanwhile, offer your new employer the accepted resignation email and your last payslip; many accept those until the letter arrives.
What if HR does not reply?
Follow up once a week by replying to your own email, and copy your former manager the second time. Keep everything in writing; it is your record if you need to escalate.
Do I need the experience letter if I have the relieving letter?
Often the relieving letter states your role and dates and is enough. If it does not, ask for the experience letter too: background checks compare the dates on it with your résumé.
Update your résumé while the dates are fresh
Add the role with the exact dates on your relieving letter, and its best results. Then score it free, with no account.
General guidance; your company’s policy and appointment letter decide timelines.