Medical Excuse Letter for Jury Duty — Free Template
If a health condition would make it hard or unsafe to sit through jury selection and a trial, you can ask the court to excuse you or postpone your service. A medical excuse letter for jury duty explains in plain terms how your condition affects your ability to serve and is usually sent with a note from your doctor.
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Free to preview[Your full name (as it appears on the summons)]
[Your mailing address]
October 15, 2026
[Court or jury office the letter is to]
Re: Juror number [Juror ID or summons number] — request regarding service on [Date you're summoned to appear]
Dear Jury Commissioner,
I have received a summons to appear for jury service on [Date you're summoned to appear] (juror number [Juror ID or summons number]). I take this civic duty seriously, and I am writing to respectfully request the following: Excusal from jury service.
The reason for my request: A medical condition.
[Explain your situation]
I have enclosed any supporting documents I have, and I can provide more information if the court needs it. Please let me know your decision in writing at the address above. Until I hear from you, I will plan to follow the instructions on my summons.
Thank you for considering this request.
Respectfully,
[Your full name (as it appears on the summons)]
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Explain the effect, not your full medical history
Courts mainly need to know how your condition affects your ability to serve: sitting for long periods, traveling to the courthouse, concentrating, or attending every day. Describe those limits plainly. You do not need to share every diagnosis or treatment detail.
If your condition is temporary, such as recovery from surgery or a pregnancy near its due date, a postponement may be more appropriate than a full excusal, and courts often grant it more readily.
Include a doctor's note
Most courts ask for a statement from a doctor or other licensed health care provider. Some have their own medical certification form, often found on the jury office website or printed on the summons. Use that form if one exists.
The note should confirm your condition and explain why it would prevent or seriously interfere with jury service, and whether it is permanent or temporary. Keep a copy of everything you send.
Send it before your service date
Submit your request as soon as you can, well before the date on your summons. Many courts accept requests online, by mail or by email. Follow the instructions on your summons exactly.
Until the court tells you that you are excused, plan to follow the summons. Some courts respond by mail and others through an online portal, so check both.
What to do, step by step
Read your summons carefully
Find your juror number, the reporting date and the deadline to respond. Many courts list the accepted reasons for excusal and say whether requests go online, by mail or by phone.
Choose excusal or postponement
Courts grant postponements far more readily than full excusals. If your problem is temporary — a trip, exams, a busy season at work — asking to serve later is usually the better request.
Fill in your letter
Answer the questions above. Be specific and honest: explain why serving on that date would be a real hardship, not just an inconvenience.
Attach supporting documents
Include whatever backs up your reason — a doctor's note, travel itinerary, class schedule, pay records or a letter from your employer. Write your juror number on each page.
Send it before the deadline and follow up
Submit it the way your summons says, keep a copy and proof that you sent it, and plan to appear as scheduled unless the court confirms your request in writing.
What if your request is denied or you don't hear back?
Until the court tells you otherwise, assume you still have to appear. Sending a letter doesn't automatically excuse you, and failing to show up for jury duty can lead to a follow-up notice, a fine or an order to explain your absence to a judge.
If you haven't heard back a week or so before your date, call or email the jury office listed on your summons, give your juror number and ask whether your request was received. Many courts also let you check your status online.
If your request is denied, you can often still ask for a postponement instead, or raise your hardship in person when you report — judges sometimes excuse jurors during selection when serving on a long trial would be a genuine burden.
Example medical excuse letter for jury duty
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Priya Natarajan
2045 Harbor View Dr, Apt 12, Fairmont, CA 94110
October 5, 2026
Jury Commissioner, Fairmont County Superior Court
Re: Juror number J-20391857 — request regarding service on November 9, 2026
Dear Jury Commissioner,
I have received a summons to appear for jury service on November 9, 2026 (juror number J-20391857). I take this civic duty seriously, and I am writing to respectfully request the following: Excusal from jury service.
The reason for my request: A medical condition.
I have severe rheumatoid arthritis that causes daily joint pain and stiffness. I cannot sit for more than about 30 minutes without standing and moving, and flare-ups often keep me from leaving home with little warning. A letter from my rheumatologist, Dr. Helen Ruiz, describing my condition and these limitations is enclosed.
I have enclosed any supporting documents I have, and I can provide more information if the court needs it. Please let me know your decision in writing at the address above. Until I hear from you, I will plan to follow the instructions on my summons.
Thank you for considering this request.
Respectfully,
Priya Natarajan
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a doctor's note to be excused from jury duty for medical reasons?
Most courts require or strongly prefer one, and some have a specific form. Your own letter explains your situation, and the doctor's note confirms it. Check your summons or the court's jury website for the exact requirement.
Can I be permanently excused for a chronic condition?
Many courts allow permanent or long-term excusal for chronic conditions that will not improve, usually with a doctor's statement. Ask for it in your letter, and keep a copy in case you receive another summons.
Can I ask for accommodations instead of being excused?
Yes. If you could serve with breaks, a different seat, an interpreter or accessible facilities, many courts will provide accommodations. Describe what you need in your letter and ask the jury office to contact you.
Is mental health a valid reason?
It can be. Conditions such as severe anxiety or PTSD may affect your ability to serve. Your provider's note can explain the effect without detailing your treatment, and courts generally keep such information confidential.
What are acceptable reasons to be excused from jury duty?
Courts commonly accept serious financial hardship, a medical condition that makes serving difficult, being the sole caregiver for a child or dependent adult, and being a full-time student. Many also postpone service for pre-paid travel or a temporary work crunch. The exact list varies by state and court, so check your summons or the court's website.
Is it easier to get a postponement than an excusal?
Usually, yes. Courts need jurors, so they tend to reschedule people with temporary conflicts rather than excuse them entirely. Offering specific dates when you could serve shows good faith and makes it easier for the jury office to approve your request quickly.
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