You can postpone jury duty, but the court must approve the request and you need a genuine reason
Postponement is not the same as getting out of jury duty entirely. When you postpone, you ask the court to move your service date to a later time — weeks or months ahead — rather than excusing you permanently. Courts grant postponements fairly often because they understand that people's circumstances change, but they will not do it without a reason they consider legitimate. The process starts with a written request to the court that summoned you, and you must send it before your scheduled date.
The strength of your reason matters. Courts regularly postpone for medical procedures you cannot reschedule, major work travel that was booked before you received the summons, or caregiving obligations with no backup. They rarely postpone for minor inconvenience, a job that simply does not want you to go, or a vacation you booked after receiving the summons. If you wait until the day of service to ask, the judge may refuse and order you to appear anyway.
Key Takeaways
- Send a written postponement request to the court before your service date, not by phone or email unless the summons specifically says those are acceptable.
- State a concrete reason — a medical appointment, work travel booked before the summons arrived, or a dependent with no other caregiver — rather than general hardship.
- The court will either grant the postponement to a new date, deny it, or ask you to appear and explain in person before the judge decides.
- If the court grants postponement, you will receive a new summons for a later date; ignoring that second summons can result in fines or contempt charges.
- Postponement rules and acceptable reasons vary by court and jurisdiction, so check the summons itself for the specific court's instructions.
How to submit a postponement request
Look at your summons for the court's preferred method. Most courts want a written letter or form, sent by mail to the address listed on the summons. Some courts now accept requests through an online portal or by fax; a few allow email. Do not assume email works unless the summons says so. If you are unsure, call the jury office phone number on the summons and ask how to submit your request.
Send your request as soon as you know you cannot serve on the scheduled date. Courts prefer at least two weeks' notice, though they may consider requests closer to the date if your reason is urgent. Include your juror number (printed on the summons), your name, the date you were supposed to appear, and a clear explanation of why you cannot serve then. Keep a copy for your records and send the original by mail or the method the court specifies. If you mail it, send it early enough that it arrives before your service date.
Reasons courts typically accept for postponement
Medical reasons are among the most commonly approved. This includes scheduled surgery, chemotherapy, a medical appointment that cannot be rescheduled, or recovery from a recent illness. You may need to provide a letter from your doctor stating the date and why it cannot be moved. Pregnancy-related care and childbirth also may have access to, though courts may ask for documentation.
Work-related travel that was booked before you received the summons is usually approved, especially if you work for a company with a fixed schedule or you are traveling for a conference or client meeting. The key is that the travel was already planned when the summons arrived. A trip you book after receiving the summons will not be approved. Bring evidence — a flight confirmation, hotel reservation, or work email — if the court asks.
Caregiving obligations can may have access to if you are the sole caregiver for a child, elderly parent, or dependent with no one else to step in. Courts understand that some people cannot arrange childcare or elder care on short notice. If this is your reason, be specific: explain who depends on you and why no alternative care exists for that date.
Financial hardship — losing a day's wages would create real difficulty — is harder to use alone. Courts hear this reason often and many deny it, reasoning that jury duty is a civic obligation everyone faces. However, if you are self-employed and losing a day means losing significant income, or if you work hourly and your employer does not pay for jury time, you have a stronger case. Bring documentation if you can: a pay stub, a letter from your employer, or proof of self-employment income.
What happens after you submit your request
The court will send you a response, usually by mail. It will either grant the postponement, deny it, or ask you to appear in court on your scheduled date so the judge can hear your reason in person. If postponement is granted, you will receive a new summons with a different service date. Treat that new date as seriously as the first one — if you ignore it, you can face fines or contempt of court charges.
If the court denies your request or asks you to appear, you have limited options. You can write again with additional information if you believe the court misunderstood your situation, or you can appear and explain to the judge. Some judges will postpone after hearing you in person even if they denied the written request. If the judge still refuses and you cannot serve, you may face a fine or be ordered to show cause why you should not be held in contempt. Contempt is rare for a first offense, but it is a possibility.
Postponement versus excusal: the difference
Postponement moves your service date forward; excusal removes you from the jury pool entirely, at least for a period of time. Courts treat these differently. A postponement is easier to obtain because you are not asking to escape jury duty — you are asking to do it later. An excusal is harder because you are asking to be released from the obligation altogether.
Some courts will grant an excusal only if you are over a certain age (often 70 or 75), have a serious medical condition that prevents you from serving, or have a hardship so severe that serving would cause real harm. If you think you need an excusal rather than a postponement, say so clearly in your request and explain why postponement would not solve the problem. The court will decide whether to treat it as a postponement request or consider an excusal.
What to do if you miss your postponed date
If the court grants postponement and sends you a new summons, mark that date on your calendar. Missing a postponed date is treated the same as missing your original date — the court may fine you, issue a contempt citation, or order you to appear and explain. Some courts will postpone again if you have a legitimate emergency, but repeated postponements can make a judge skeptical.
If you know you cannot make the postponed date before it arrives, contact the court immediately and request another postponement. Do not wait until the day of service. The earlier you notify the court, the more likely they are to work with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I postpone jury duty more than once?
Most courts will grant one postponement without much question, and some will grant a second if the reason is legitimate. A third or fourth request becomes harder to justify. Courts view repeated postponements as avoiding jury duty rather than rescheduling it. If you postpone twice and the court denies a third request, you may have to serve or face consequences.
Do I need a doctor's note to postpone for medical reasons?
Not always for the initial request, but the court may ask for one. If you mention a medical appointment or condition, include a letter from your doctor if you have it. If the court asks and you do not provide it, they may deny the postponement or order you to appear and explain.
What if my employer will not give me time off for jury duty?
That is not a valid reason for postponement in most courts. Employers are not legally required to pay you for jury time, but they cannot fire you or punish you for serving. If your employer is threatening retaliation, that is a separate legal issue — contact your state's labor department or an employment lawyer. For jury postponement purposes, the court will likely deny the request.
Can I postpone if I already have vacation planned?
Only if the vacation was booked before you received the summons. A trip you book after the summons arrives will not be approved. If you have a non-refundable vacation scheduled before the summons came, bring proof of the booking date and the court may postpone.
What if the court does not respond to my postponement request?
Call the jury office a few days before your scheduled date to confirm they received it. If they did not, ask how to resubmit. If they did receive it and have not responded, ask whether you should still appear on the scheduled date or wait for a decision. Do not assume silence means approval.