FREE TEMPLATE + FICTIONAL EXAMPLE
Letter of authority template for a specific enquiry
Use this free template when an organisation accepts a letter allowing someone to discuss a particular enquiry for you. It identifies the people involved, the recipient and the limits of the permission.
Check the recipient’s process first. It may provide its own form or record consent another way. This example is for discussion and relevant information only; it does not give someone general control of your affairs.
Use the free template Have us prepare your letter · £14.99
FREE
Copy a discussion-letter template
FICTIONAL
See a worked example
CHECK
Follow the recipient’s requirements
Before you copy the letter
- Ask whether this recipient accepts a letter for your task, and whether it has a preferred form.
- Agree exactly what the representative may discuss. “All matters” is much broader than a question about one reference.
- Use only the identifying details the recipient needs. Do not include passwords or payment-card details.
Copy the free template
Select the letter below and copy it into your document editor. Replace every bracketed instruction. This version uses a fixed end date; choose dates that fit your task and check whether the recipient has different requirements.
Select and copy the letter text
GENERAL ENQUIRY PERMISSION
Date: [date written]
To: [organisation and department]
Regarding: [specific enquiry and reference, if required]
I, [your full name], give [representative’s full name] permission to discuss the enquiry described below with you on my behalf.
Enquiry: [describe the single matter, including any relevant reference].
Please allow my representative to ask questions and receive the information necessary to discuss this enquiry, subject to your consent and identity checks.
This permission runs from [start date] until [end date]. It is limited to the enquiry above. It does not permit my representative to make payments, change account instructions, sign declarations for me, or make financial or medical decisions for me.
Please contact me if you need to confirm this permission or require a different authorisation process.
My contact details: [contact details the recipient requires]
Representative’s contact details: [contact details the recipient requires]
Signed by the person giving permission: [signature, following the recipient’s requirements]
Full name: [your full name]
Date signed: [date]
A completed example
Every person, organisation, reference and signature below is fictional. The example permits a discussion about an appointment time, not a change to the appointment.
FICTIONAL EXAMPLE
Date: 1 October 2026
To: Northside Community Service, Enquiries Team
Regarding: Appointment enquiry EXAMPLE-001
I, Alex Example, give Sam Example permission to discuss my enquiry about the time of my appointment, reference EXAMPLE-001, with your Enquiries Team.
Please allow Sam to ask questions and receive information needed to clarify the appointment time, subject to your consent and identity checks.
This permission runs from 1 October 2026 until 31 October 2026. It does not permit Sam to change the appointment, make payments, sign declarations for me, or make financial or medical decisions for me.
Please contact me if you need to confirm this permission or require a different authorisation process.
My contact: alex@example.com
Representative’s contact: sam@example.com
Signed by the person giving permission: Alex Example [fictional signature]
Full name: Alex Example
Date signed: 1 October 2026
Check it before sending
- Read it aloud: is it clear who gives permission and who receives it?
- Check the organisation, enquiry reference and dates in every place they appear.
- Remove unused placeholders and any permission you did not intend to give.
- The person giving permission should follow the recipient’s signing instructions. Preparing a letter for a relative does not let you sign their name.
- Keep a copy and send it through the recipient’s stated route. Ask how it will confirm that permission has been recorded.
When a different form is needed
A general enquiry letter may not contain everything a particular service needs. HMRC’s intermediary route, for example, specifies additional identifying details and does not provide online tax access. Use its official requirements rather than assuming this template is complete for tax matters.
Official sources: HMRC: authorise a tax intermediary
Prefer help preparing your letter?
You can use this template free of charge. Our optional £14.99 service prepares a personalised PDF and editable Word document for a named service and enquiry. Paying for preparation does not change the recipient’s requirements or guarantee acceptance.
See the letter-preparation serviceCOMMON QUESTIONS
Questions families often ask
Does it need a witness?
Ask the recipient. This general template does not establish a witness requirement for every organisation.
Can I end the permission sooner?
Tell the recipient and representative that you want the permission to end, and ask the recipient how to record that change. Keep a record of your request.
What if the person cannot give consent?
Do not use this as a substitute for the authority that situation requires. Our family-permission guide explains where to start and links to official routes.
Continue with a related route
Official sources checked 29 September 2026
Want a prepared version?
The free template is yours to use. Optional preparation is £14.99 for a personalised PDF and editable Word document. Paying for preparation does not change the recipient’s requirements or guarantee acceptance.
Have us prepare your letter · £14.99