How to Get Pay Stubs from Previous Employer

Pay Stubs are the number #1 requested proof of income document.  Therefore, it is no surprise when landlords, dealerships, or lenders ask for them to verify your income.  

In fact, it is most common for people to ask for your most recent 3 to 6 months’ of pay stubs in order to verify your income. However, if you found a new job, it may be difficult to get pay stubs from your previous employer.  

In this article we will discuss, how to get pay stubs from previous employer.

Asking Previous Employer for Pay Stubs

If you have recently left a company and are looking for your previous pay stubs, the easiest thing to do is to ask your previous employer directly. 

Many employers will keep employee records for a certain period of time. Therefore, they may have no problem giving you the pay stubs.

How to Get Pay Stubs from Pay Stub Generator

One way to get pay stubs is to use online Pay Stub Generator. The Pay Stub Generator lets you generate pay stubs instantly and download immediately.  

As long as the pay stubs are accurate, and you have permission from your previous employer, then you can use your pay stubs as proof of income.

Try out the Pay Stub Generator to Preview Your Pay Stubs.

How to Contact Previous Employer for Pay Stubs

You can get copies of your previous years’ pay stubs by contacting the HR or Payroll department at your former job.

The HR department manages employee’s schedules and income.  And there is a good change they may have your pay check stubs.

How to Get Pay Stubs from Previous Employer by Phone

The easiest way to get your pay stubs from your previous employer is by phone. You may be able to get copies of your pay stubs over the phone. 

You can simply call and tell them that you were a former employee and want to your pay stubs. And in the case, tell them they can email, or you can stop by to pick them-up in person.

How to Get Pay Stubs from Previous Employer by Email

Email is the most common way employers send their payroll stubs. Therefore, you can email your previous employer directly.

As long as you have an email address for the manager or the HR department, you can send them a request. 

Make sure you write “Pay Stub Request” in the subject line so they know what the email is about. Make sure to also include your name and contact information so they can easily reply to you.

Put your contact information in this format: Your Name – Your current address – Your phone number (3 contact methods).

Write your name clearly, so they can tell that they are your original pay stubs. Be polite and professional! 

Here is an example email you could send:

Pay Stub Request Email

Hello,

My name is {EMPLOYEE NAME}. I am a former employee from your company.  I worked as an {EMPLOYEE TITE} from {START DATE} to {END DATE}. 

{I am currently trying to apply for {Apartment \ House \ Car \ Loan} and need copies of my past pay stubs to verify my income.}
Or 
{I need copies of my past pay stubs to verify my income.}

Can you please send me copies of my original pay stubs from {BEGINNING DATE} through {ENDING DATE} to my email address? 

{I have to complete the {House | Apartment | Car | Loan} application by {DEADLINE}.} Or
{I need the pay stubs by {DEADLINE} or at your earliest convenience.}

And I would greatly appreciate your assistance.

My Information:

Name: {EMPLOYEE NAME}
Pay Stub Dates: {BEGINNING DATE} to {ENDING DATE}
Employee ID: {EMPLOYEE ID - Optional}
Email Address: {EMAIL ADDRESS}

Thank you for your help in advance. I look forward to a response.

Sincerely,

{EMPLOYEE NAME}

That is a typical email someone can use to get pay stubs from their previous employer. One benefit of using email is you will have your pay stubs online. You can save your pay stubs on a cloud storage, so you can always have access to your pay stubs.

Hopefully, they will reply back with an image or PDF file of your pay stubs. These formats make it is easier for you to view and download your pay stubs.

How to Get Pay Stubs from Previous Employer through the Mail

Another way to get your pay stubs from previous employer is through the mail. You can achieve this is by sending your previous employer a Pay Stub Request Letter. 

The following is a Pay Stub Request Letter Template:

Pay Stub Request Letter Template

ATTN: HR Department or Manager

My name is {EMPLOYEE NAME}. I am a former employee from your company.  I worked as an {EMPLOYEE TITE} from {START DATE} to {END DATE}. 

I am writing to request a copy of my pay stubs from {BEGINNING DATE} through {ENDING DATE}.

I would like to receive a copy of my pay stubs by {DEADLINE} or at your earliest convenience.

My Information:

Name: {EMPLOYEE NAME}
Pay Stub Dates: {BEGINNING DATE} to {ENDING DATE}
Employee ID: {EMPLOYEE ID - Optional}
Email Address: {EMAIL ADDRESS}
Mailing Address: {ADDRESS LINE 1}
                        {CITY}, {STATE} {ZIP CODE}

Enclosed is a self-addressed envelope for your convenience. 

Please call me at {CONTACT NUMBER} if you have any questions about this request.

Regards,
{EMPLOYEE NAME}

This is a typical letter someone can use to get pay stubs from their previous employer through mail.

Keep in mind, some companies may have policies regarding pay stub copies or have employee’s records in different locations.

For this reason, it can be cumbersome to get these records via mail. 

How to Get Pay Stubs from Previous Employer at the Office

If your phone, or email request does not get you a response, then just go to the company in person.

In most cases, asking in person directly is much more likely to get you a copy of your previous payroll stubs. 

In addition, it may be helpful to also bring a Pay Stub Request Letter.

How to Get Pay Stubs from Previous Employer by Fax

Another option to get your pay stubs is by fax. Faxes may be an effective way to get pay stubs if faxing is a common place in the company. However, unfortunately that is not always the case in some businesses. 

Accordingly, another way is by faxing a letter requesting your pay stubs. Here are more details on how to get them:

Simply fax a request to your previous employer to get your pay stubs. Similarly, you can use the Pay Stub Request Letter to fax to your previous employer.

Pay Stub Policy for Previous Employer

It is also important to know your previous employers’ policy regarding release of previous employee’s documents.

Sometimes employers have a policy of not providing pay stubs to former employees because it is a breach of privacy or otherwise. 

However, if you were a trustworthy employee that had been there for a long time, they may have a policy of honoring your request anyway. 

Timeframe for Asking for Pay Stubs from Previous Employer

Employers may have your previous pay stubs, but due to a busy work schedule or other conditions, they may just completely forget to send them to you. 

In these cases, if you have a specific time frame in which you need to receive your copies of pay stubs, we recommend asking your previous employer as soon as possible. 

Telling them that you need the pay stub copies for a specific date such as a home, apartment, car, or loan application will ensure that they feel the urgency to get them to you.

Scenarios When You Can’t Get Your Pay Stubs from Previous Employer

There are times when employers won’t give out pay stubs to former employees. Often employers may not have them or depending on the state, there is no law requiring them.

In that case, it may be helpful to use an online Pay Stub Generator. The Pay Stub Generator lets you generate pay stubs instantly and download immediately.  

As long as the pay stubs are accurate, and you have permission from your previous employer, then you can use your pay stubs as proof of income.

Summary

Getting pay stubs from previous employer is easy. You just need to make a phone call or email, go down to the office, or fax them a letter. 

If you are having trouble getting your past pay stubs from a previous employer, you may consider creating your pay stubs using the pay stub generator.

As long as the pay stubs are accurate, and you have permission from your previous employer, then you can use your pay stubs as proof of income.

Be polite and professional!  And you are sure to get your paystubs for an apartment, house, car, or loan application. 

Try out Pay Stub Generator today!