Notice of breach of contract
By Justin Winter · Updated August 22, 2026
The short answer
Many contracts require formal notice and a cure period before you can pursue other remedies. Send it Certified with electronic Return Receipt, $14.99 all-in: USPS records when it was mailed and when it was signed for. Preview the exact pages free. Check your contract; this template is not legal advice.
The math
The math on one certified letter.
| Option | Cost | Your time |
|---|---|---|
| paperplane, Certified + Return Receipt | $14.99, all in | About two minutes |
| At the counter | USPS fees, plus printing, an envelope and the trip | About ten minutes at the counter, plus the drive and the line |
USPS charges the same fees whoever hands the letter over. The difference is the trip, the form and the slip you keep for a year.
How it works
- Open the template and fill in the bracketed fields with your specific details.
- Confirm the recipient's address.
- Pay $14.99 — we print the next business day and email you the tracking number.
- Your document file is permanently deleted 30 days after delivery.
This is a template, not legal advice — requirements and available remedies vary by state and by your specific situation, so confirm the details that matter for your case before sending.
Questions before you send
Why not go to the post office myself?
You can, and if your time is free it costs less. USPS charges the same fees whoever hands the letter over; paperplane does not replace the post office, it replaces the trip. The mailing record comes from USPS, not from us. $12.99 covers the printing, the envelope, PS Form 3800, a USPS address check before you pay and a handoff the next business day. For a letter you already know how to send, the counter is a fine choice.
What if they refuse the letter?
USPS tracking records what happened to it, including refused or unclaimed. You still have the mailing record. Rules on what that means vary, so check with your court or an attorney if a deadline depends on it.
If something goes wrong, do I pay?
If we cannot mail the letter, the hold on your card is released and you are not charged. If a letter fails after your card is charged, you are refunded automatically and in full.
Why send a breach of contract notice by certified mail?
Many contracts require written notice and an opportunity to cure before you can terminate the agreement or sue for damages. A certified mail receipt proves the other party received formal notice on a specific date, which can be critical if the dispute ends up in court.
What should I include in a cure period?
State the specific contract provision breached, exactly what needs to happen to fix it, and a clear deadline. Check your contract's own notice-and-cure clause first — some agreements specify a minimum number of days you must give the other party.
Is this legal advice?
No — this is a template, not legal advice. Contract terms, required notice periods, and available remedies vary by agreement and by state, so consider having an attorney review your specific situation before sending.
What happens if the other party doesn't cure the breach?
That depends on your contract and state law, but typically you may then treat the agreement as terminated, withhold your own performance, and/or pursue damages or other remedies — often after consulting an attorney.