Knowing how to sign a cover letter correctly is one of those small details that adds up to a polished, professional application.
This guide covers everything from choosing the right closing phrase to formatting your signature for email, print, and online submissions.
How to sign off a cover letter
Your closing phrase should match the tone of your letter and the culture of the company you are applying to.
Formal industries call for traditional sign-offs; more modern workplaces give you a little more flexibility.
These are the most widely accepted options:
- Sincerely: The standard choice. Works for any industry and any level of formality.
- Best regards: Slightly warmer while remaining fully professional. A strong choice for companies with a modern or approachable culture.
- Regards: Neutral and efficient. Appropriate for formal sectors such as law, finance, or government.
- Kind regards: Warm but professional. Works well when you have already had some contact with the recruiter.
- Respectfully: Use this for very formal applications, such as roles in academia, the public sector, or senior leadership.
Avoid informal closings such as "Cheers," "Thanks," or "Talk soon."
Even in relaxed company cultures, a cover letter is a professional document.
The same applies to overly familiar sign-offs like "Warmly," which suit personal correspondence rather than job applications.
If you are unsure about your cover letter header or opening, the salutation follows the same principle: formal unless you have a clear reason not to be.
Should I sign a cover letter?
Yes, always include a signature on your cover letter regardless of how you are submitting it.
For printed letters, a handwritten signature between your closing phrase and typed name is standard.
For emailed or uploaded letters, your typed full name serves the same purpose.
Leaving it out makes the letter feel incomplete, and that impression is easily avoided.
How important is the closing signature in a cover letter?
Your closing signature is not what gets you the interview, but it is the last thing a recruiter sees and it should feel considered.
A well-formatted signature signals attention to detail and an understanding of professional norms.
In roles where written communication is central, such as legal or client-facing positions, that signal carries a little more weight.
With most applications, the goal is simply to close things out cleanly without an unnecessary stumble at the finish line.
The body of your cover letter carries the real weight.
What to include in a signature on your cover letter
A cover letter signature has two parts: the closing phrase and the signature block.
Both should be brief and easy to scan.
Closing phrase: This is the sign-off that appears before your name, such as "Sincerely," followed by a comma, on its own line after your final paragraph.
Signature block: The information that follows your closing phrase. For most applications, include:
- Your full name
- Your phone number
- Your email address
- Your LinkedIn profile URL (optional, but useful)
For printed letters, leave two to three blank lines between the closing phrase and your typed name to create space for your handwritten signature.
For email and digital submissions, one blank line is enough.
Keep the font consistent with the rest of your letter throughout.
How does format affect your cover letter signature?
The way you sign your cover letter depends on how you are sending it.
The core elements stay the same; only the execution changes.
| Format | What to do |
|---|---|
| Printed letter | Leave 2-3 lines for a handwritten signature in blue or black ink, then type your full name and contact details beneath |
| Type your closing phrase, full name, phone, and email. Insert a digital signature image above your name if you want a personal touch, but it is not required | |
| PDF attachment | Treat it like a printed letter. Insert a digital signature above your typed name before exporting to PDF |
| ATS or online portal | Use text only. Skip image-based signatures, as these can confuse automated screening systems. Type your name and contact details |
If you are applying through an ATS, a text-only signature block is the safest approach.
Some older platforms cannot parse image files cleanly, which can affect how your application is read.
You can find formatting guidance for the rest of your letter on our cover letter format page.
Where should I put my signature in an application letter?
Your signature goes at the very end of your cover letter, after your closing paragraph.
The standard order is:
- Your final paragraph, ending with a call to action
- One blank line
- Your closing phrase (e.g. "Sincerely,")
- Two to three blank lines for a handwritten signature, or one blank line for digital submissions
- Your typed full name
- Your phone number
- Your email address
- Your LinkedIn URL, if including it
Keep everything left-aligned.
This mirrors standard business letter format and gives the closing section a consistent look that matches the rest of your letter.
Cover letter signature examples
Below are examples for the three most common submission types.
Printed cover letter
Email submission
Best regards,
Jordan Ellis (555) 012-3456 jordan.ellis@email.com linkedin.com/in/jordanellis
ATS or online portal
Regards,
Jordan Ellis (555) 012-3456 jordan.ellis@email.com
Each template uses the same structure: closing phrase, name, contact details.
The differences are minor and driven by format.
For a full picture of cover letter examples showing how signatures sit within complete letters, those are worth looking through before you submit.
FAQs
Signing off correctly is a small but meaningful detail.
Here are answers to the most common questions.
Should I sign a cover letter if I am submitting it online?
Yes. Type your full name after your closing phrase for any online submission.
A handwritten or digital signature is not required, but your name and contact details should always appear at the end.
Do I need to type my name below my signature on a cover letter?
Yes, always type your full name below your handwritten or digital signature.
The typed name ensures clarity regardless of how legible the signature itself is.
For email and ATS submissions, your typed name acts as the signature.
What is the best sign-off for a cover letter?
"Sincerely" is the most widely accepted option and works for any role or industry.
"Best regards" is a strong alternative if you want something slightly warmer.
Avoid informal closings like "Cheers" or "Thanks" even for casual company cultures.
The ending of your cover letter shapes how your full closing section reads, so the sign-off and final paragraph should feel consistent in tone.
Does a cover letter need a signature?
Yes. Every cover letter should end with a closing phrase and your full name.
For printed letters, a handwritten signature above your typed name is standard.
Digital submissions need the typed name and serves the same function.
Do you need to sign a cover letter submitted electronically?
No, you do not need a handwritten signature on an electronically submitted cover letter.
Your typed full name after the closing phrase is sufficient and is the accepted standard for email and online submissions.
A digital signature can be added for a more polished finish, but it is never required.
