Resignation letter
By Justin Winter · Updated August 20, 2026
The short answer
A mailed resignation gives HR a dated, physical copy on file. Send it First-Class for $0.99 all-in, add tracking for $0.99, or send it Certified for $12.99 if you need a USPS record. Preview the exact pages free. Check your contract for any notice period.
The math
What each level of proof costs.
| Send it as | Price, all in | What you can show |
|---|---|---|
| First-Class | $0.99 | A dated confirmation from us; no USPS record |
| First-Class with tracking | $1.98 | USPS tracking to delivery |
| Certified Mail | $12.99 | A USPS mailing record and tracking |
| Certified + Return Receipt | $14.99 | A signed USPS delivery record |
Most resignations happen over email or in a conversation, and that is fine for most jobs. A mailed letter is the move when you want a dated, physical original in your personnel file — because your notice period affects a bonus, vesting, or accrued PTO, or because the relationship is contentious enough that you want the record.
What to put in it
- Your job title and your last working day, stated plainly.
- The length of notice you are giving — match it to your contract or company policy.
- Keep it short. Save the reasons for the exit conversation, not the letter.
How it works
- Open the template, fill in your title, manager, and last day.
- Pay $0.99 (First-Class) — the letter prints and mails the next business day.
- Want proof HR received it? Switch to Certified + Return Receipt for $14.99.
This template is a tool, not legal advice — check your contract for any specific notice requirements.
Questions before you send
Why not go to the post office myself?
You can. paperplane does not replace the post office; it replaces the trip. USPS still carries the letter. What you skip is the printer, the envelope, the stamp and the walk to a mailbox. $0.99 covers all of 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.
Do I need to mail a resignation letter, or is email enough?
Most companies accept email, but a mailed physical copy gives HR a dated original for the personnel file and removes any ambiguity about when notice was given — useful if your notice period affects final pay, benefits, or a bonus.
Should I send it Certified?
For a routine, amicable resignation, First-Class ($0.99) is enough. If the relationship is contentious, or a contract or notice period has real financial consequences, Certified with electronic Return Receipt ($14.99) documents exactly when your employer received it.
What should the letter include?
Your title, your last working day, and the length of notice you are giving. Keep it short and professional — save the details of why you are leaving for the conversation, not the letter.