Purchase Requisition vs. Purchase Order: Key Differences Explained
A Purchase Requisition is an internal form an employee fills to request the company buy something; a Purchase Order is the official external document the buyer sends to a supplier to confirm the actual purchase.
People confuse them because both contain the word “purchase” and both move goods toward you, but one is a polite internal nudge and the other is a legal promise that locks in price and delivery—so mixing them up can stall projects and anger vendors.
Key Differences
Requisition: internal, pre-approval, no legal value. Order: external, post-approval, contract. Timing, authority, and liability change at each step.
Which One Should You Choose?
Need budget clearance? File a Purchase Requisition. Ready to commit funds and bind the vendor? Issue a Purchase Order. Never swap the sequence.
Can a Purchase Requisition become a Purchase Order?
Yes; once finance approves, the data auto-flows into a Purchase Order template.
Who signs each document?
Department manager signs the requisition; procurement or finance signs the order.
What happens if you send a Purchase Requisition to a supplier?
They’ll ignore it—only Purchase Orders trigger shipment and invoicing.