How to go about writing a letter of authority

Frank Parker
Authored by Frank Parker
Posted Wednesday, March 9, 2022 - 9:18pm

You may need to write a letter of authorisation for several reasons. It is crucial that it is done correctly and includes all the necessary information as it is a legal document.

Some of you may have never needed to write one and don't have a clue where or how to start, so we've decided to provide you with all the tips and tools you may need:

Authorisation letter format and what to include

If you are writing a letter of authorisation it means that you are legally allowing a third party to act on your behalf, meaning that you are also directly accountable for their actions.

So you need to include specific details. You can also get professional help at Utility Bidder. This way, you can ensure that your letter is formatted correctly.

Remember, it is a legally binding document. So make sure you follow the correct format and include everything you need to.

Starting with the header, you must include your name, address, date, and the recipient's name and address, make sure you use an appropriate salutation. It is a formal letter.

When writing the body, make sure that it is concise. This will avoid any room for misinterpretation.

Provide the details of the person who will act on your behalf, including their full name, contact number, address and proof of identity as it may be needed in an identification verification process.

Then explain what you are authorising this person to do, be precise. You can also include your reasoning. Close the letter with a thank you and ensure that it has a hand-written signature.

You may need to collect documents and include them. It all depends on what the authorisation letter is for.

The writing style of your letter should be formal and all included information should be accurate and authentic.

You can find an authorisation letter sample for each type of letter at various online sources.

The importance of an authority letter

Such a letter legitimates and verifies your word. It also gives it credibility. They help avoid problems and state that the authorised person actually has authority. An authority letter also helps track accountability.

This saves you trouble if something goes wrong, then the person who was assigned to act on behalf of you deals with the consequences (if they did something wrong).

Both parties involved need to sign the letter to make it legally binding. No detail should be left out so that there is official proof and every action can be verified.

Tips

  • Make sure that you proofread your letter and make any necessary edits.
  • Ensure that all parties involved have a copy of the letter of authority. This can be anyone from an accountant to your lawyer as well. It is always good to keep a record of important documents.
  • It depends on the authorisation letter, but some may be connected to confidential documents and private financial transactions. So make sure that you trust the person, as by granting permission, they may have access to your bank account, medical records, and more, depending on what your letter is for. So ensure you can rely on them and know them well to ensure that you will be protected.

FAQs

What is a letter of authority?

It is a written document. A specific party grants permission to another to act on behalf of them in certain situations.

It could be for medical purposes, processing documents, a bank, or something as small as a student school trip.

There is always a first party, second party, and third involved in a letter of authorisation.


 

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