Jury Duty Excuse Letter Templates

Requesting excusal due to a physical or mental health condition that prevents service.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
[Date]

Jury Commissioner / Clerk of Court
[Court Name]
[Court Address]

Re: Juror Summons — Juror ID #[Your ID Number] / Court Date: [Date]

Dear Jury Commissioner,

I am writing to respectfully request an excusal from jury duty in response to the summons I received for service on [Date]. Due to a medical condition, I am unable to fulfill this obligation at this time.

I have been diagnosed with [condition — e.g., chronic lower back condition / an autoimmune disorder requiring ongoing treatment], which makes it difficult for me to sit for extended periods, concentrate for long stretches of time, and maintain the schedule required for jury service. My physician, Dr. [Name] of [Practice/Hospital], has recommended that I avoid situations requiring prolonged sitting and sustained high-stress concentration.

Enclosed please find a letter from my physician supporting this request, along with any additional documentation you require.

I take my civic duties seriously and would welcome the opportunity to serve when my health permits. I respectfully request that I be excused indefinitely or, alternatively, that my service be postponed to [future date or 'a date to be determined when my condition improves'].

Thank you for your understanding. Please do not hesitate to contact me at [Phone Number] or [Email] if you need additional information.

Respectfully,

[Your Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]

Enclosure: Physician's letter

Self-employed individual or hourly worker for whom jury service would cause financial hardship.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
[Date]

Jury Commissioner / Clerk of Court
[Court Name]
[Court Address]

Re: Juror Summons — Juror ID #[Your ID Number] / Court Date: [Date]

Dear Jury Commissioner,

I am writing to respectfully request an excusal from the jury duty summons I received for [Date]. I am self-employed / an hourly worker and jury service would create a severe financial hardship that I am not in a position to absorb at this time.

As the sole owner/operator of [Business Name], my business does not generate revenue when I am not working. I do not have employees who can cover for me, and my clients depend on my services without interruption. [OR: As an hourly employee, I am not paid by my employer during jury service, and the $[X]/day juror compensation does not cover my basic living expenses. I am the sole financial provider for my household, which includes [number] dependents.]

Missing even a single week of work would result in an estimated loss of $[amount] in income and could jeopardize [contracts / clients / my ability to meet my financial obligations].

I have enclosed [documentation — e.g., a copy of my most recent tax return / recent pay stubs / a letter from my employer] to support this request.

I understand and respect the importance of jury service. If the court is unable to grant a full excusal, I would respectfully request a postponement to [a date that would create less hardship — e.g., after my peak season in September].

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully,

[Your Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]

Parent or caregiver of a child or dependent with no alternative care available.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
[Date]

Jury Commissioner / Clerk of Court
[Court Name]
[Court Address]

Re: Juror Summons — Juror ID #[Your ID Number] / Court Date: [Date]

Dear Jury Commissioner,

I am writing to request an excusal from jury duty scheduled for [Date]. I am the primary caregiver for [my child / an elderly parent / a dependent with a disability], and I have no alternative care arrangements available for the period of jury service.

I am the sole caregiver for [description — e.g., my two children, ages 4 and 7, who are not yet in school / my mother, who has advanced Alzheimer's disease and requires full-time supervision]. My [spouse / partner / other caregiver] is [unavailable — e.g., deployed overseas / working out of state / also employed full-time with no flexibility], and I have no family members or other individuals available to provide care during my absence.

[If applicable: I have contacted local caregiving agencies and daycare providers and have been unable to arrange appropriate care on short notice.]

I am enclosing [documentation — e.g., birth certificates, a letter from my child's school, a doctor's letter regarding my dependent's care needs] to support this request.

I am committed to my civic responsibilities and would be glad to serve when alternative care arrangements can be made. I respectfully request either an excusal or a postponement to [date or 'a time when care can be arranged'].

Thank you for your understanding.

Respectfully,

[Your Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]

Full-time student requesting excusal or postponement during a critical academic period.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
[Date]

Jury Commissioner / Clerk of Court
[Court Name]
[Court Address]

Re: Juror Summons — Juror ID #[Your ID Number] / Court Date: [Date]

Dear Jury Commissioner,

I am writing to respectfully request a postponement of my jury duty service, which is currently scheduled for [Date]. I am a full-time student at [University Name], and the timing of my summons falls during [finals week / a mandatory clinical rotation / a critical exam period] when my attendance is both required and irreplaceable.

I am currently enrolled in [Program Name — e.g., the nursing program / law school / a graduate engineering program] and am required to attend [exams / clinicals / labs] during the summoned period. Missing these obligations could result in [failing the course / losing my academic standing / being removed from my clinical placement], with significant consequences for my academic progress and [professional licensure timeline].

I have enclosed a letter from my academic advisor and a copy of my class schedule confirming the nature and dates of these requirements.

I am not seeking to avoid jury service — I understand and respect the importance of the jury system. I respectfully ask that my service be postponed to [a specific semester break — e.g., December 20, 2026 through January 10, 2027], when I would be fully available and honored to serve.

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully,

[Your Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
[University ID / Student Email]

Enclosures: Academic advisor letter, class schedule

Requesting postponement due to non-refundable international travel plans.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
[Date]

Jury Commissioner / Clerk of Court
[Court Name]
[Court Address]

Re: Juror Summons — Juror ID #[Your ID Number] / Court Date: [Date]

Dear Jury Commissioner,

I am writing to request a postponement of my jury duty service currently scheduled for [Date]. I have pre-existing, non-refundable international travel plans that conflict directly with the dates of my summons.

I will be traveling to [Country/Region] from [Departure Date] through [Return Date] for [brief description — e.g., a family event that was planned and booked six months in advance]. My travel arrangements — including flights and accommodations — were purchased before I received this summons and are entirely non-refundable. Canceling or altering these arrangements would result in a financial loss of approximately $[amount].

I have enclosed copies of my flight itinerary and booking confirmation as documentation.

I am not seeking to be excused from jury service permanently. I respectfully request that my service be postponed to any date after [Return Date + a few days], at which point I will be fully available and prepared to fulfill this civic obligation.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Respectfully,

[Your Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]

Enclosures: Flight itinerary, booking confirmation