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Letter format · formal · business · Word

Letter format — formal, business and official letters with samples

Short answer. Three ready letters in block format: a formal letter from you to a bank, school or company; a business letter on letterhead with reference number; and an official letter to a government office. Order of parts: sender’s address, date, “To,” receiver, subject, salutation, body, complimentary close, signature, enclosures (block format).

Letter format: first page

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  • Send a reminder letter quoting the first one, if there is no replytype the date

Check your own case.

Fifteen days is a practical example, not a legal period. If a law or the office sets a time limit, use that.

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Paste this code on your site (law office, school, blog) — readers fill in the template right on your page, free.

Meera, Layers template assistant

Meera, Layers template assistant

Enter the date of your letter and I will show when to send a reminder.

All three letter formats are open below — choose one and fill in the brackets.

Deadlines

The rules, with the source

WhatDeadlineSource
Order of partssender’s address, date, “To,” receiver, subject, salutation, body, complimentary close, signature, enclosuresblock format
Reference number“Ref. No.” on the left and the date on the right, under the letterheadbusiness letters
Salutation and close“Dear Sir/Madam,” → “Yours faithfully,”; “Dear Mr. Rao,” → “Yours sincerely,”standard usage
Subject lineone line with the purpose and any account, order or file numberhelps the office route the letter

Schools and exam boards sometimes prescribe their own layout (for example, modified block). In an exam, follow the format your board teaches.

Step by step

What to do, in order

  1. 1

    Pick the format

    Formal (person to organisation), business (company letterhead) or official (government office).

  2. 2

    Write a clear subject

    Say what you want and quote the account, application or order number.

  3. 3

    Keep the body short

    Why you are writing, the facts with dates, and exactly what you request — usually three paragraphs.

  4. 4

    Close and sign

    Match the closing to the salutation, sign, add your name and list enclosures.

  5. 5

    Send with proof

    Keep a copy; use Speed Post or ask for a signed acknowledgement when you need proof of delivery.

Questions

What is the correct format of a formal letter?

Sender’s address, date, “To,” and the receiver’s designation and address, subject, “Dear Sir/Madam,”, the body, “Yours faithfully,”, signature and name. Format 1 in the file shows it filled in.

What is a “sample letter with reference”?

A business letter that carries a reference number (Ref. No.) from your outward register, and sometimes “Your Ref.” quoting the other side’s letter. Format 2 shows where both go.

Yours faithfully or yours sincerely?

Use “Yours faithfully” when you begin with “Dear Sir/Madam” and “Yours sincerely” when you address the person by name.

How do I write to a government office?

Address the post (e.g. The Municipal Commissioner), add “Through proper channel” if you are an employee, give facts in numbered points and end with a clear request. Format 3 is ready to fill.

Should the date be 15/10/2026 or 15 October 2026?

Write the month in words — 15 October 2026 — so the date cannot be misread.

Can I send the letter by email?

Yes. Paste the body into the email or attach the letter as PDF. If you send it from Layers you also see when it was opened and can set a follow-up reminder.

Official sources

Other documents

All templates: India →

Keep the papers in one place

Letters, receipts and notices in one folder you can share with family or a lawyer. The templates and the editor are free; Layers is free for up to 20 people.

Letter templates for general correspondence. Not legal advice; statutory notices may need specific wording.