Paternity leave letter

Use this document to notify your employer that you wish to take up to two weeks' paternity leave and (if applicable) receive statutory paternity pay, following the birth of a child. It is also suitable if you are adopting or intending to adopt a child from a surrogate mother and you are a one of the couple applying for a parental order.

This letter will help you to work out if you have a statutory entitlement to paternity leave. If you don't, you will still be able to proceed, but the granting of leave will be at your employer's discretion.

This letter is not suitable when you are taking adoption paternity leave (except when adopting through a surrogacy arrangement): please use our 'Paternity leave letter for adoptions' instead.