Letter of Authorization
A general-purpose authorization letter permitting a named individual to act on your behalf for a specific task or transaction.
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A letter of authorization is a general-purpose document in which a person grants another individual the authority to act on their behalf for a specific, defined task or transaction. Unlike a power of attorney — which is a formal legal instrument — a letter of authorization is typically used for more limited, practical purposes that do not require notarization or registration.
Common uses
Letters of authorization are commonly used to: authorize a family member or friend to pick up documents, keys, or parcels on your behalf; authorize a representative to sign for a delivery or contract; authorize a caregiver to make non-medical decisions for a child; authorize an employee to act on behalf of a business for a specific transaction; or authorize a person to access a safe deposit box or post office box.
Limitations
A letter of authorization is not a substitute for a power of attorney for financial or property transactions, and most banks and government agencies will not accept it for significant decisions. For anything more than routine tasks, a formal power of attorney prepared with legal advice is the appropriate instrument.