Letter of Authorization Template

What is a letter of authorization?

A letter of authorization (or authority letter) tells an office, business or other organisation that someone else may act for you on a particular task. People use one to have a relative collect a passport, parcel or certificate, to let a colleague deal with a supplier or landlord, or to allow a friend to pick up a car from a garage while they are away. Unlike a power of attorney, it covers one clearly described job, for a short time, and nothing more.

This template is addressed to the organisation (or "To whom it may concern") and can quote your reference or account number. You describe the task in your own words, list what the authorized person may not do — by default signing contracts, making payments, opening or closing accounts or changing details — and set the dates it is valid. It records the ID the authorized person will show, gives your contact details so the recipient can check the letter, and says plainly that it is not a power of attorney. The authorized person signs too, promising to stay within the authority and hand everything over, and their signature serves as a specimen the recipient can compare with their ID. It also works for a company authorizing an employee or courier.

When to Use a letter of authorization

• A parent authorizing an adult child to collect documents from a government office
• Letting a friend pick up your car, parcel or dry cleaning while you are away
• A company authorizing an employee or courier to collect goods or sign for a delivery
• Allowing a relative to talk to your landlord, school or utility provider about one matter
• An owner authorizing a manager to deal with a specific supplier or contractor

What You Fill In

15 blanks, then the name and email of each person who signs: authorizing party, authorized person.

What the letter of authorization Covers

1. What the Authorized Person may do
2. What the Authorized Person may not do
3. How long it lasts
4. Identification and checking this letter
5. The Authorized Person's promise

Using the letter of authorization, step by step

1 Add your details

Enter your name, address and a phone number or email the recipient can use to check the letter. If you're authorizing on behalf of a company, add the company name and your position. Include a reference or account number if the organisation will need it to find your file.

2 Name the authorized person

Enter their full name exactly as it appears on their ID, and optionally the ID they will show — the last few digits of a passport or licence number are usually enough.

3 Describe the task and the limits

Write the task as specifically as you can: what, where and for which matter. Edit the list of things they may not do, which finishes the sentence "The Authorized Person may not…". Add a short reason if the organisation is likely to ask why you can't attend.

4 Set the dates and send

Choose the first and last day the letter is valid — keep the window short. Add the authorized person as a signer and send; they sign after you, and can show the signed PDF or a printout.

Tips Before You Send It

• Check first whether the organisation accepts authorization letters. Banks, government agencies and courts often have their own forms or require a notarised document.
• Give the authorized person a copy of your ID if the organisation asks for it, but never write full bank or card numbers in the letter.
• One task per letter. A letter that tries to cover everything is less likely to be accepted and more likely to be misused.
• If you need someone to manage your money or property generally, or to act if you lose capacity, you need a power of attorney made under your local law — not this letter.
• Tell the organisation if you withdraw the authority before the end date.

Letter of authorization: frequently asked questions

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This template is a general starting point, not legal advice. Laws differ between countries and states — have a lawyer review the agreement for your situation before you rely on it. Page last reviewed 2026-09-29.