Demand Letters

Breach of Contract Notice: Certified Mail letter template

Send this letter by Certified Mail

Pre-filled template, USPS tracking and Electronic Return Receipt

When the other side stops performing, do not just stop paying or walk away: send a notice of breach with a demand to cure. Many contracts require written notice and a cure period before termination, and courts look for it even when the contract is silent. Skipping this step can turn the breaching party's lawyer loose on you instead.

The notice should cite the contract, describe each breach precisely, quantify the harm, and set a cure deadline. Sending it via USPS Certified Mail with Electronic Return Receipt creates dated proof that the notice was given and received, which controls when cure periods start and preserves your right to terminate or claim damages.

This template walks through each element and reserves your rights and remedies in writing.

This template is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

The letter template

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Your contact details

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Recipient

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Re: Notice of Breach of Contract and Demand to Cure

Sent via USPS Certified Mail with Electronic Return Receipt

 

Dear Sir or Madam,

 

This letter concerns the contract between us dated [date of the contract] for [subject of the contract: services, sale of goods, construction work, etc.] (the "Agreement").

 

You are in breach of the Agreement in the following respects: [describe each breach precisely, citing the relevant section: failure to deliver by the agreed date, defective work, non-payment, unauthorized substitution, etc.].

 

As a result of this breach, I have suffered the following harm: [describe losses: amounts paid, costs of correction, delay-related costs].

 

I demand that you cure this breach by [specific action required: complete the work, deliver the goods, pay the amount due, correct the defects] within [number of days, e.g., 15] days of your receipt of this letter, as shown by the signed Electronic Return Receipt.

 

If the breach is not cured within that period, I reserve all rights and remedies available under the Agreement and at law, including terminating the Agreement, engaging a third party to complete the work at your expense, and pursuing damages in court. This notice and its documented delivery will form part of the record.

 

Please respond in writing. If you dispute any of the above, provide your position and supporting documents within the same period.

 

Sincerely,

 

Mr. First name Last name

How to send this letter online

  1. 1

    Enter the addresses

    Your details and the recipient's: they are placed automatically in the letter heading.

  2. 2

    Personalize the template

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  3. 3

    Review the exact preview

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  4. 4

    We handle the rest

    Printing, sealing, and hand-off to USPS as Certified Mail. Proof of mailing and the Electronic Return Receipt are stored in your account.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the questions we hear most often about this letter.

Do I have to give the other party a chance to cure?

Check the contract first: many include a notice-and-cure clause, often 10 to 30 days, that you must follow before terminating. Even without one, a documented opportunity to cure shows good faith and strengthens your position if the dispute goes to court.

Can I terminate the contract immediately for a serious breach?

A material breach can justify termination, but what counts as material is where disputes are won and lost. A written notice with a cure deadline protects you either way: if the breach is cured, you kept the deal; if not, your termination is documented.

Should I keep performing my side of the contract?

Generally yes, until the situation is legally clear. Stopping your own performance can hand the other side a breach claim against you. State in the letter that you reserve all rights, and get advice before suspending your obligations.