(Literae Dimissoriae), in the canon law, a letter given by a bishop to a candidate for holy orders, having a title in his diocese, directed to some other bishop, and giving leave for the bearer to be ordained by him.

When a person produces letters of ordination or tonsure conferred by any other than his own diocesan, he must at the same time produce the letters dimissory given by his own bishop, on pain of nullity.

Letters dimissory cannot be given by the chapter, sede vacante; this being deemed an act of voluntary jurisdiction which ought to be reserved to the successor.