Demand letter template
By Justin Winter · Updated August 20, 2026
You can send a demand letter online in about two minutes: we typeset your letter and mail it USPS Certified with electronic Return Receipt for $14.99 all-in — many small claims courts expect to see that you sent a written demand before filing, and this is the proof.
A demand letter is the fact pattern, laid out plainly, with a deadline. What happened, what you are owed, what you already tried, and what happens if this deadline passes too. It is the single most common document small claims courts ask about — "did you demand this in writing first?"
Have a more specific situation?
These pre-fill more of the details for you:
- Security deposit demand letter
- Collection letter for an unpaid invoice
- Letter of intent to sue for a final notice before filing
For a small claims filing specifically, the same structure applies — name the amount, name what you tried already, set a real deadline, and state plainly that small claims court is next if it passes.
How it works
- Open the template, fill in what happened and what you are owed.
- Pay $14.99 (Certified + Return Receipt) — mailed the next business day.
- Keep the delivery record for court, if it comes to that.
This template is a tool, not legal advice.
Common questions
Do I need to send a demand letter before suing?
Often, yes — many small claims courts and some contracts require a documented written demand with a chance to resolve before you can file. Certified Mail with electronic Return Receipt is the standard way to prove you sent it and when it was received.
What should a demand letter include?
What happened, what you are owed, any prior attempts to resolve it, a specific deadline, and what happens if the deadline passes. Keep it factual — the letter works because it documents facts, not because it escalates.
What if I have a more specific situation — a security deposit or a small claims filing?
Use the dedicated security deposit demand letter or small claims demand letter templates instead; they pre-fill the details those specific situations need.