Before you resign, make sure you collect these 10 essential documents including your relieving letter, experience certificate, salary slips, Form 16, PF details, and more. Ensure a smooth career transition with this checklist.

📁 Planning to Resign? Don’t Leave Without These 10 Important Documents!

Are you preparing to resign from your current job? Whether you’re moving on to a better opportunity, relocating, taking a sabbatical, or switching careers entirely, resignation is more than just serving your notice period and saying goodbye.

One critical aspect that many employees overlook during their exit process is document collection. These documents are not just formalities—they’re your professional identity records, crucial for background checks, loan applications, tax filing, and future employment.

To save yourself from unnecessary stress later, don’t leave your job without securing the following 10 documents.

✅ 1. Relieving Letter

Your relieving letter is the official document issued by your employer confirming that you have formally resigned and been relieved of your duties. It acts as proof that:

• You served your notice period

• There are no pending obligations

• You exited the company in good standing

📌 Why it’s important: Most new employers ask for this document during onboarding. Without it, your joining process might get delayed or canceled.

✅ 2. Experience Certificate

An experience certificate outlines your job title, duration of employment, and sometimes a brief description of your role and responsibilities. It is a valuable addition to your professional portfolio.

📌 Why it’s important: Required for future job applications, visa processes, and career advancement. It validates your work history and skillset.

✅ 3. Full & Final Settlement Statement

This statement shows a complete breakup of your final dues, including:

• Last month’s salary

• Leave encashments

• Bonuses or incentives (if any)

• Deductions for company property or notice period shortfall

📌 Why it’s important: Essential for verifying accurate compensation. Keep it safe for any future disputes or clarifications.

✅ 4. Last 3–6 Months’ Salary Slips

Payslips are vital for numerous purposes such as:

• Loan applications (personal, home, car, education)

• Credit card approvals

• Tax filing

• New job verifications

📌 Pro tip: If your employer doesn’t automatically provide them, request them in writing before your last day.

✅ 5. Form 16 / Tax Deduction Certificates

Form 16 is the TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) certificate issued by the employer, typically once a year. It reflects the salary paid and the tax deducted.

📌 Why it’s important: Required for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) and avoiding discrepancies in your tax history.

Ask your HR or payroll team to provide the Form 16 for the financial year(s) you worked with the company.

✅ 6. Provident Fund (PF) Details

Your EPF (Employee Provident Fund) account is your long-term savings and must be carefully tracked. Before you resign, ensure you get:

• UAN (Universal Account Number)

• PF account number

• Final PF contributions

• Process for withdrawal or transfer to your new employer

📌 Why it’s important: Helps avoid loss of contributions, facilitates online transfers, and is needed for retirement planning.

✅ 7. Gratuity Details (If Applicable)

If you’ve worked in the company for five years or more, you’re likely eligible for gratuity, which is a financial reward for long-term service.

📌 Check with HR about:

• Eligibility

• Amount due

• Timeline for payout

📌 Why it’s important: It’s a tax-free lump sum benefit and must be claimed within a specific time frame.

✅ 8. Letter of Recommendation

A recommendation letter from your manager or department head can go a long way in boosting your future applications. While not mandatory, it’s an excellent value-add to your professional portfolio.

📌 Why it’s important:

• Adds credibility during job searches

• Great for academic or international applications

• Can be reused in freelance or consultancy gigs

✅ 9. Non-Compete & NDA Clauses

Before leaving, review any non-compete, non-solicitation, or Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) you may have signed.

📌 Why it’s important:

• To avoid future legal conflicts

• To understand what business activities you are restricted from

• To ensure compliance with intellectual property protection

Request a copy of these documents from HR if you didn’t receive them during onboarding.

✅ 10. Work Portfolio or Personal Files (As Per Company Policy)

If your work involves creative projects, reports, case studies, coding samples, or designs, seek permission to retain copies for your portfolio, provided it doesn’t breach confidentiality.

📌 Why it’s important:

• Useful in interviews

• Helps showcase your capabilities

• Builds a tangible proof of work for freelance or consulting work

Caution: Always get written consent if you’re copying or retaining company-related documents or code.

🧠 Additional Pro Tips for a Smooth Resignation:

✅ Keep Digital & Physical Copies

Organize your documents in cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox) and maintain hard copies in a secure folder.

✅ Clarify Exit Timeline

Confirm notice period duration, handover responsibilities, and last working day in writing.

✅ Maintain Good Relations

Exit gracefully. Your network is your net worth—colleagues and supervisors might become your references later.

✅ Track Exit Formalities

Use a checklist to track asset return, email shutdown, benefits claims, and document requests.

🔁 Why These Documents Matter

Your career journey is shaped not just by where you’ve worked, but how well you manage your transitions. Whether it’s for:

• Switching jobs

• Immigration processes

• Starting a business

• Continuing education

• Loan or credit approval

Having these documents ready can save you time, stress, and potential loss down the line.

📝 Final Checklist: Don’t Leave Without These!

📤 Wrapping Up

Resigning from a job is a major life step, and collecting the right documents ensures your professional identity stays intact. Be proactive, be organized, and don’t hesitate to ask HR for any documents you’re entitled to.

Ready to make a smooth exit? Download this checklist, share it with colleagues, and set yourself up for a stress-free transition to your next adventure!