Jury Duty Postponement Letter — Free Template
If the date on your summons is bad timing but you could serve later, a jury duty postponement letter, sometimes called a deferral request, asks the court to move your service to a better time. Postponements are much more commonly granted than full excusals, especially when you suggest specific dates.
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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: Postponement of my jury service to a later date.
The reason for my request: [Main reason].
[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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Offer specific dates
The most important part of a postponement letter is when you can serve instead. Give a range, such as a few months, and make sure you will truly be available. Courts are more likely to approve a request that already solves their scheduling problem.
Avoid choosing dates right before another known conflict. A second postponement is usually harder to get than the first.
Check whether you can postpone online
Many courts let you request a first postponement online or by phone without a letter, often within set limits. Look at your summons and the court's jury website first. If your situation is more complicated, or the online system will not accept your dates, send a letter.
Keep any confirmation number or email. If you mail a letter, send it early and keep a copy.
Explain the conflict briefly
You do not need a long explanation for a postponement, but you should give a real reason: a birth, surgery, exams, a work deadline, travel or caregiving. Choose the closest reason option and add one or two sentences of detail.
If you have documents, such as a travel itinerary or a surgery date, mention that they are enclosed.
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 jury duty postponement letter
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: Postponement of my jury service to a later date.
The reason for my request: Another reason, explained below.
My wife is due to give birth to our first child on November 4, and I will be on family leave caring for her and the baby for the rest of November. I would like to serve and am fully available after the new year.
I would be glad to serve at a later time. Dates when I am available: Any week in January, February or March 2027.
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
How many times can I postpone jury duty?
It depends on the court. Many allow one postponement fairly easily and require stronger reasons for any further requests. Some set a maximum number of months you can defer. Check your court's jury website.
Will I have to serve if my postponement is approved?
Yes. A postponement moves your service to a later date; it does not excuse you. You will usually get a new summons or a confirmation of the new date. Make sure to respond to it.
What if I don't hear back before my service date?
Call the jury office or check the online portal. If you still have no answer, follow the instructions on your original summons. Courts treat failing to appear more seriously than a request that was still pending.
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.
FairLetter is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Letters are templates you customize and send yourself.