Cease and Desist Letter for Harassment — Free Template
When someone keeps calling, texting, showing up or contacting you through other people after you have asked them to stop, a cease and desist letter for harassment puts your request in writing. It tells them exactly which behavior must end, gives a date, and creates a record you can show to police or a court if the conduct continues.
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Free to preview[Your full name or business name]
[Your mailing address]
October 15, 2026
[Who the letter is to]
Re: Cease and desist — Harassment or repeated unwanted contact
Dear [Who the letter is to],
I am writing to formally demand that you stop the conduct described below. Since approximately [When the conduct started (approximately)], you have engaged in the following: Harassment or repeated unwanted contact.
[What they have been doing]
This conduct is unwelcome and unauthorized, and it must stop immediately. I specifically ask that you:
[What you want them to do]
Please confirm in writing, within 10 days of the date of this letter (by October 25, 2026), that you have done so and that the conduct will not continue.
I have kept records of this conduct, and I am keeping a copy of this letter and proof of delivery. If the conduct continues or I do not receive your written confirmation by that date, I intend to pursue the remedies available to me, which may include reporting the matter to the appropriate authorities or filing a claim in court.
I would prefer to resolve this without further action. Please direct any response to me in writing at the address above.
Sincerely,
[Your full name or business name]
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What to include in a harassment cease and desist letter
Describe the behavior with dates, places and numbers rather than feelings. "You called 60 times between July 28 and October 1" is far stronger than "you keep bothering me." Mention that you already asked them to stop, if you did, and when.
Spell out every channel the person must stop using: phone, text, email, social media, showing up in person, and contact through friends, family or coworkers. Harassers often switch channels after a letter, so naming them all closes that door.
Keep the tone firm and short
Do not insult, threaten or argue with the person. The letter may later be read by a police officer or a judge, and a calm, factual letter makes you look reasonable. It also gives the recipient nothing to react to.
After you send it, do not reply to further messages, even to say "stop." Every reply can restart the conversation. Instead, keep logging each contact with the date, time and a screenshot.
When a letter is not enough
A cease and desist letter is a request, not a court order. If the contact continues, or if you feel unsafe at any point, contact local police. Many courts also offer protective or restraining orders for harassment and stalking, and your letter and records can support that request.
If there are threats of violence, do not wait for the deadline in your letter. Call 911 in an emergency, and consider reaching out to a local victim services organization for safety planning.
What to do, step by step
Write down what happened
List the dates, places and messages involved before you start. Save screenshots, URLs, voicemails and copies of anything that shows the conduct.
Fill in your letter
Answer the questions above. Describe the conduct factually and say exactly what you want the other person to do — vague demands are easy to ignore.
Keep the tone calm and firm
Avoid insults, exaggeration and threats you don't intend to carry out. A measured letter is more persuasive and looks better if it is ever shown to a judge.
Send it in a way you can prove
Mail it by certified mail with return receipt, and email a copy if you have an address. Keep a copy of the letter and the receipt together.
Decide on your next step
If the deadline passes and the conduct continues, keep documenting it. Depending on the situation, that may mean a police report, a protective order, a takedown notice or a claim in court.
What if they ignore your cease and desist letter?
A cease and desist letter is not a court order, so it can't force anyone to stop on its own. What it does is put the other person on clear, dated notice — which matters later, because continuing after a written warning is often treated as deliberate.
Your next step depends on the conduct. Ongoing harassment or threats can be reported to the police, and many courts offer civil protection or anti-harassment orders that people can request without legal help. For copied photos or writing, most websites and hosting companies have a copyright takedown process. Defamation, trademark and business disputes are usually resolved in civil court, where a judge can award damages or order the conduct to stop.
Whatever you do next, keep every message and record. Your letter, your proof of mailing and a log of what happened afterward are the core of any complaint or claim.
Example cease and desist letter for harassment
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Dana Whitfield
742 Cedar Lane, Riverton, OH 44101
October 5, 2026
Kevin Larkin
88 Orchard St, Riverton, OH 44103
Re: Cease and desist — Harassment or repeated unwanted contact
Dear Kevin Larkin,
I am writing to formally demand that you stop the conduct described below. Since approximately July 28, 2026, you have engaged in the following: Harassment or repeated unwanted contact.
Since late July you have called my phone more than 60 times, sent dozens of text messages, and waited outside my workplace on August 14 and September 9. On August 20 I told you by text that I did not want any further contact. The calls and messages have continued since then, and I have saved screenshots and a call log.
This conduct is unwelcome and unauthorized, and it must stop immediately. I specifically ask that you:
Stop contacting me by phone, text, email, social media or through friends and coworkers, and do not come to my home or my workplace.
Please confirm in writing, within 10 days of the date of this letter (by October 15, 2026), that you have done so and that the conduct will not continue.
I have kept records of this conduct, and I am keeping a copy of this letter and proof of delivery. If the conduct continues or I do not receive your written confirmation by that date, I intend to pursue the remedies available to me, which may include reporting the matter to the appropriate authorities or filing a claim in court.
I would prefer to resolve this without further action. Please direct any response to me in writing at the address above.
Sincerely,
Dana Whitfield
Frequently asked questions
Is a cease and desist letter for harassment legally binding?
No. It is a formal written demand, not a court order, so the recipient is not legally required to obey the letter itself. Its value is that it puts them on clear notice, shows you asked them to stop, and creates evidence you can use if you later report the harassment or ask a court for a protective order.
Should I send it by certified mail?
Certified mail with a return receipt gives you proof the letter was delivered and when. Many people also send a copy by email or text so there is no question the person saw it. Keep copies of everything you send and any receipts.
What if I don't know their home address?
The mailing address is optional in this template. You can deliver it by email or another channel they use, as long as you keep proof that it was sent. If you are afraid of the person, do not deliver it in person.
Can sending the letter make things worse?
Sometimes it can provoke an angry reaction, especially if the person has been violent. If you fear for your safety, talk to police or a victim services organization first. They can help you decide whether a letter or a protective order is the better first step.
Is a cease and desist letter legally binding?
No. It is a formal written demand, not a court order, so the recipient isn't legally required to obey it. It still matters: it shows you asked clearly, gives the person a chance to stop, and creates evidence that any later conduct was knowing rather than accidental.
Can I write a cease and desist letter myself?
Yes. Anyone can send one — there's no special form or license needed. What makes it effective is being specific: identify the conduct, the dates, what you want stopped, and a deadline. Many people send their own letter first and seek legal help only if the conduct continues.
FairLetter is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Letters are templates you customize and send yourself.