What Is a Fax Cover Letter?
A fax cover letter (also called a fax cover sheet) is a document sent as the first page of a fax transmission. It identifies the sender, the recipient, the number of pages being sent, and any relevant notes about the contents. While faxing has become less common in many industries, it is still widely used in healthcare, legal, government, and real estate settings where secure document transmission is required.
Essential Elements of a Fax Cover Sheet
- To: Recipient's full name and department
- From: Your full name and title
- Fax number: Recipient's fax number
- Phone: Your phone number for follow-up
- Date: Current date
- Number of pages: Total pages including the cover sheet
- Subject: Brief description of what is being sent
- Message: Brief note about the contents or any required actions
Fax Cover Sheet Tips
- Always include a page count so the recipient knows if pages are missing
- Keep the message section brief and professional
- Include a confidentiality notice if sending sensitive documents
- Double-check the fax number before sending
- Use a large, readable font since fax quality can reduce readability
- Follow up with a phone call or email to confirm receipt
Privacy note: If faxing sensitive documents (medical records, legal papers, financial information), include a confidentiality disclaimer at the bottom: "This fax is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged or confidential."
