Ever sent a formal letter that got lost, ignored, or routed to the wrong desk? Most people skip one small line that fixes 90% of these problems. A properly formatted Sample Letter With Re Line will show you exactly how to flag your message for fast attention before anyone even opens the full text.

Too many writers treat the RE line as an outdated formality. It is actually the original email subject line, built for both physical and digital correspondence. Today you will learn where to place it, what to include, and common mistakes to avoid.

What Makes A Proper Sample Letter With Re Line Work?

The RE line (short for "regarding") sits directly above your letter’s opening greeting. It tells the recipient exactly what your message is about in 5-10 words, before they read a single sentence of body text. This single line can cut response time by 70% for formal correspondence, according to administrative professional surveys.

When drafting your RE line, follow these non-negotiable rules:

  • Place it 2 line breaks below the recipient's contact information
  • Start with "Re:" followed by a single space
  • Use specific details, not vague phrases
  • Keep the entire line under 60 characters

To show the difference between effective and poor RE lines, reference this quick comparison:

Poor RE Line Good RE Line
Re: Question Re: Invoice #4729 Late Payment Follow Up
Re: Meeting Re: 12 Oct Warehouse Safety Meeting Reschedule

Sample Letter With Re Line For Invoice Follow Up

12 October 2024

Maria Gonzalez
Accounts Payable Manager
Greenwood Retail Partners

Re: Invoice #7821 Dated 12 September 2024

Dear Ms Gonzalez,

This message follows up on the above invoice for commercial cleaning services, which is now 18 days past due.

Please confirm receipt of this invoice and advise when payment will be processed. You can reach me directly at 555-0127 with any questions.

Regards,
James Carter

Sample Letter With Re Line For Job Application Follow Up

14 October 2024

Hiring Team
Northwood Tech Solutions

Re: Marketing Coordinator Application - Sarah Mei

Dear Hiring Team,

I submitted my application for the Marketing Coordinator role on 7 October, and wanted to confirm you received all required documents.

I remain very interested in this position and am available at your convenience for an interview.

Thank you for your time,
Sarah Mei

Sample Letter With Re Line For Maintenance Request

15 October 2024

Building Management
Oakwood Apartment Complex

Re: Unit 3B Water Heater Malfunction Report

Dear Building Management,

This letter formally reports a complete failure of the water heater in unit 3B, first noticed 14 October.

Please schedule a repair technician as soon as possible. I can be onsite between 4pm and 8pm any weekday.

Sincerely,
Lisa Rodriguez

Sample Letter With Re Line For Customer Complaint

16 October 2024

Customer Support Department
Home Delivery Co

Re: Order #91742 Damaged Goods Received 15 October

Dear Customer Support,

Yesterday I received the above order, and all three glass storage containers were broken on arrival.

I am requesting a full replacement shipment sent with signature confirmation. I have attached photos of the damaged packaging and items.

Regards,
Thomas Reed

Sample Letter With Re Line For Leave Request

17 October 2024

David Chen
Department Supervisor

Re: Annual Leave Request 10-21 November 2024

Dear David,

I am formally requesting approved annual leave for the dates listed above. All my pending projects will be handed off to Kelly Moore during this period.

Please let me know if you require any additional information to approve this request.

Thank you,
Amy Foster

Sample Letter With Re Line For Reference Request

18 October 2024

Professor Helen Moore
State University Business Department

Re: Reference Request For Graduate School Application

Dear Professor Moore,

I am writing to respectfully request you act as a professional reference for my upcoming graduate school application.

I took your Advanced Management course in Spring 2024, and graduated with a 3.8 GPA. I have attached my resume and personal statement for your reference.

Kind regards,
Marcus Webb

Sample Letter With Re Line For Contract Renewal

19 October 2024

Richard Blake
Client Services Director

Re: IT Support Contract Renewal Dated 1 December 2024

Dear Richard,

This letter confirms our company wishes to renew the above IT support contract for an additional 12 month term.

Please send over the updated agreement document at your earliest convenience so we can review and sign by 1 November.

Best regards,
Jennifer Hayes

Frequently Asked Questions about Sample Letter With Re Line

Where does the RE line go in a formal letter?

The RE line is placed two line breaks below the recipient’s address, and one line break above the formal greeting. It should always appear before the opening paragraph of your letter.

Do I still need an RE line for email messages?

Yes, you should include an RE line in formal emails alongside your subject line. It adds clarity for recipients who receive dozens of messages daily, and stays attached if the email is forwarded.

What does "Re:" stand for in a letter?

"Re:" is the standard abbreviation for the Latin word meaning 'regarding' or 'in reference to'. It has been used in formal correspondence for over 150 years to indicate the letter’s topic.

How long should an RE line be?

An effective RE line should be between 20 and 60 characters long. Always use specific details like invoice numbers, dates, or account numbers instead of vague general terms.

Can I put a case number in the RE line?

Absolutely. Official reference numbers, case IDs, invoice numbers, and order numbers are the most valuable information you can include in an RE line.

Is the RE line capitalized?

Only capitalize the first letter of each major word, just like a standard title. Never write the entire RE line in all capital letters, this is considered unprofessional.

Do I need to use a colon after Re?

Yes, always use a single colon immediately after "Re" followed by one space. This is the universally accepted standard format for formal correspondence worldwide.

Should I bold the RE line?

You may bold the RE line to make it stand out, but this is optional. Most standard business letters leave it regular weight unless the message is time sensitive.

Can I use an RE line for personal letters?

You can use an RE line for personal formal letters, but it is not required for casual personal correspondence. It is most useful when sending official messages to people you do not know well.

Every formal letter or email benefits from a clear, well written RE line. This small formatting detail does more than just look professional—it ensures your message gets routed correctly, read first, and responded to faster than messages that skip this step. All the examples shared today follow standard business guidelines that work for physical letters, emails, and internal office messages.

Pick one of the sample letter with RE line templates above for your next message, and adjust the details to fit your situation. Test this format on your next formal message, and notice how much faster you get a clear, relevant response back.