Gift certificate
For small businesses selling gift certificates without a card system: salons, spas, restaurants, studios and boutiques. The top half is the certificate the recipient keeps; the bottom stub is your record of who bought it, how they paid and when it was redeemed, matched by the certificate number.
- Fields
- 21
- Pages
- 1
- Paper
- Letter
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Reviewed
Before you start
What you need to fill it in
- Your business name, address and phone
- A unique certificate number
- The recipient's and purchaser's names
- The value or the specific service covered
- Issue date and expiry date allowed in your state
- Your redemption terms
What's inside
21 fields, ready to fill
- 14Typed answersnames, addresses, descriptions
- 4Dateschecked as real dates
- 2Choicescheckboxes, options, dropdowns
- 1Signaturessignature and initials
6 required — the editor counts down how many are left while you fill.
Instructions
How to fill out the Gift certificate
- 1
Number it
Use the next number in your gift certificate log so you can track redemption.
- 2
Choose value or service
Select a dollar amount or a named service, such as "60-minute massage", and fill the matching field.
- 3
Fill names and dates
Enter who it is for and from, the issue date and the expiry date.
- 4
Review the terms
Edit the redemption terms if needed so they match your policy and state law.
- 5
Complete the stub and sign
Fill the record stub with the purchaser's contact and payment details. Sign the certificate, then print the top half or email it.
Fill it online
What filling it looks like
- Edit & fill, Invite to sign and Create form are three modes of the same editor
- Amounts are formula fields: they calculate as you type
- The field navigator counts what's left and jumps to the next field
Shown with our invoice template. Sample content; names are fictional.
Written for: General (US)
This is a general-purpose template. Check that its terms and fields match your situation and any rules that apply where you use it before you rely on it.
Written by PDFBetter and last reviewed October 15, 2026. Spotted a problem? Tell us.
Gift certificate: questions people ask
How long must a gift certificate be valid?
Under the federal CARD Act, gift certificates sold to consumers generally must be valid for at least five years from issue, and several states require longer or ban expiration. This is not legal advice.
What if a certificate is lost?
Your terms decide. Many businesses replace it if the purchaser can give the number and it has not been redeemed, which the stub makes possible.
Should unused balances be paid out in cash?
Some states, such as California, require cash back for small remaining balances. Check your state's rules.
What about unredeemed certificates after many years?
Some states treat unredeemed gift certificates as unclaimed property that must be reported. Ask your accountant.
Ready when you are
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