👋

Relieving Letter (Relieving Order / Resignation Acceptance Letter)

Official separation proof, resignation acceptance, notice period completion/buyout & BGV onboarding clearance

Visit Official Portal →
📝 Reviewed by: India Docs Portal Editorial Team📅 Last updated: August 28, 2026Sources: Official .gov.in portals

Quick Answer

💡 A Relieving Letter (Relieving Order / Resignation Acceptance) is an official corporate document issued by an employer on company letterhead on an employee's Last Working Day certifying that their resignation has been accepted and they have been formally relieved of all duties and obligations. It is mandatory during background verification and onboarding with a new employer.

Quick Information

⏱️ Processing Time

Issued on the employee's Last Working Day (LWD) or within 7 days of exit clearance

💵 Fees

100% Free (Employers are statutory obligated under employment contracts and fair labour practices to issue separation letters free of cost)

✅ Eligibility

Any employee who has submitted a formal resignation letter, served the contractual notice period (or received approved notice period waiver/buyout), and surrendered company assets with full No-Dues clearance

Who Needs This Document?

Resigned employees onboarding at a new organization to formally prove they have separated from their previous employer, have no active employment contract, and are free of non-compete/legal liabilities

Required Documents

  • Copy of Original Resignation Email / Resignation Letter
  • Written Resignation Acceptance Email from Manager / HR Head
  • Departmental No-Dues Clearance Form (IT assets, ID badge, library, finance)
  • Proof of Notice Period Completion or Notice Buyout Payment Receipt

How to Apply for Relieving Letter (Relieving Order / Resignation Acceptance Letter)

1

Submit Formal Written Resignation

Send an official resignation email to your reporting manager and HR citing your planned Last Working Day (LWD) in accordance with the notice period clause.

2

Receive Written Resignation Acceptance

Ensure HR formally accepts your resignation in writing and confirms your agreed final working date.

3

Knowledge Transfer (KT) & Task Handover

Complete operational knowledge transfer to your assigned replacement and obtain sign-off from your team lead.

4

Asset Surrender & Departmental No-Dues

Return company laptop, access keycards, tools, and settle petty cash advances to obtain 100% clearance across the HR exit portal.

5

Issuance of Relieving Order on Letterhead

HR issues the Relieving Letter on company letterhead confirming your release from all official duties and obligations from the close of business hours on your LWD.

6

Submit to New Employer Onboarding Cell

Upload the signed Relieving Letter to your new employer's HRMS and Background Verification (BGV) portal to finalize your onboarding.

📝 How to Update Relieving Letter (Relieving Order / Resignation Acceptance Letter)

How to get a corrected Relieving Letter for incorrect exit dates or employee ID errors:

1

Email Previous HR Operations Desk

Send a formal rectification request detailing the specific typographical error in your exit date or name.

2

Attach Resignation Acceptance Email

Provide the original resignation clearance email proving the agreed Last Working Day.

3

HR Record Reconciliation

The HR operations team amends the separation record in the HRMS.

4

Download Revised Relieving Order

Receive the corrected, digitally signed relieving letter PDF.

⬇️ How to Download Relieving Letter (Relieving Order / Resignation Acceptance Letter)

Download an official digital Relieving Letter PDF from company HR portals:

1

Log In to Ex-Employee Portal

Access your previous company's separation/alumni portal.

2

Go to 'Separation Documents'

Locate the approved relieving order entry.

3

Download Official Signed PDF

Download the color PDF bearing the corporate digital signature and seal.

4

Forward to New Employer BGV

Submit the PDF to your new company's background verification team.

🔍 How to Check Relieving Letter (Relieving Order / Resignation Acceptance Letter) Application Status

Track your resignation acceptance and relieving letter generation status online:

1

Open Company HRMS Exit Tracker

Log into your employee exit workflow portal.

2

Check Departmental No-Dues Checklist

Verify that IT, Admin, Finance, and Reporting Manager clearances are marked green.

3

View Letter Release Notification

Relieving orders are automatically generated and emailed upon final HR sign-off.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Absconding or leaving without formal resignation acceptance (leads to termination on records and permanent BGV failure)
  • Failing to retain a copy of the manager's written resignation acceptance email if HR delays generating the final letter
  • Assuming an Experience Letter can substitute a Relieving Letter (many Tier-1 corporations strictly require the Relieving Letter to ensure zero dual-employment risk)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Relieving Letter and why is it mandatory for a new job?

A Relieving Letter (or Relieving Order) is an official legal statement issued by an employer on company letterhead certifying that an employee's resignation has been accepted and they have been formally relieved of their duties and liabilities. New employers mandate it to verify that the candidate is no longer bound by an existing employment contract, preventing dual employment issues.

What should an employee do if an employer refuses to issue a Relieving Letter?

If you served your notice period and handed over assets, an employer cannot legally withhold your relieving letter. 1) Send a formal registered letter/email to the HR Head and Directors quoting your resignation acceptance and No-Dues clearance. 2) If ignored, send a formal Legal Notice through an advocate. 3) File an official complaint with the local Labour Commissioner under the state Shops and Establishments Act.

Can an employee join a new company without a Relieving Letter?

Most corporate employers allow provisional onboarding if you provide: 1) The original resignation email, 2) The company's written resignation acceptance email with confirmed LWD, and 3) A self-declaration undertaking to submit the final Relieving Letter and F&F settlement within 30–60 days.

What is the difference between a Relieving Letter and a Service Certificate?

1) Relieving Letter: Confirms the official release date and termination of the employment contract (focuses on separation formalities and absence of dues). 2) Service Certificate / Experience Letter: Details the professional tenure, job designations, skill sets, and work performance during the entire employment period.

What details must be mentioned on an authentic Relieving Letter?

An authentic Relieving Letter must include: 1) Company letterhead, logo, and Corporate Identification Number (CIN), 2) Issuance date, 3) Employee's full name and Employee ID, 4) Resignation letter date and formal acceptance clause, 5) Exact Last Working Day (LWD) / effective date of relief, 6) Declaration of No-Dues, and 7) Signature and designation of the authorized HR signatory.

📄 Related Documents

Ready to Apply?

Visit the official government portal to start your application

Go to Official Portal →
Try India Docs AI!