Everyday Privacy

Fax Cover Sheet: What to Include (Free Template Text)

A cover sheet tells the recipient who the fax is for, who sent it, and how many pages to expect. It is short, but a sloppy one can send your document to the wrong desk.

Last updated November 1, 2026 · By Harbor Privacy

Need one now? Use the free fax cover sheet generator. It runs in your browser and saves as a PDF.

What to Include

To. The recipient's name, department, and fax number.
From. Your name and a phone number or email for replies.
Date.
Number of pages. Including or excluding the cover sheet, stated clearly.
Subject. A short reference, such as a claim number or request type.
A short message. What you want done with it.

What to Leave Off

Do not put sensitive details on the cover sheet itself, such as a diagnosis, account number, or Social Security number. The cover page is the first thing anyone near the machine sees. Keep it to a reference the recipient can match to the documents behind it.

Template Text

To: [Name, department]
Fax: [Number]
From: [Your name]
Phone or email: [Reply contact]
Date: [Date]
Pages: [Number] including this cover
Subject: [Reference]
Message: Please confirm receipt. Contact me at the number above with any questions.

Add a confidentiality line if you like: This fax is intended only for the person named above. If you received it in error, please notify the sender and destroy it.

With an Online Fax Service

Most online services build the cover page from the fields you enter. Harbor Fax asks for To, From, Subject, and an optional message, and adds a branded cover page. You can remove the branding for $0.99 to send a clean cover page. Open Harbor Fax. More in fax from your phone.

Common Questions

Do I need a fax cover sheet?

It is not required, but it helps the recipient route the fax, and many offices expect one.

Does the cover sheet count as a page?

It usually does. State whether your page count includes it.

Can I send a fax without a cover page?

Some services let you skip or customize it. Offices that sort by hand prefer to have one.

Should the cover sheet be confidential?

Keep sensitive details off it. Use a reference number instead.

Can I make my own cover sheet?

Yes. Use the template text above in a document, save it as a PDF, and put it first.

SEND A FAX WITH A CLEAN COVER PAGE

Add To, From, Subject, and a message, with unbranded covers for $0.99. Open Harbor Fax.