Payment Reminder Letter Template
Updated December 10, 2025 • Professional ✓ Multiple Stages ✓ Get Paid ✓
Use this free template to professionally remind customers about upcoming or past due invoices and improve your collection rate.
Payment Reminder Timeline
- ✓ 7 days before: Courtesy reminder
- ✓ 1 day after due: Past due notice
- ✓ 15 days past due: Second reminder
- ✓ 30 days past due: Urgent notice
- ✓ 45+ days: Final notice before collection
Payment Reminder Letter Template
PAYMENT REMINDER LETTER
[Your Company/Business Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
[Date]
[Customer Name]
[Company Name, if applicable]
[Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
Re: Payment Reminder - Invoice #[INVOICE NUMBER]
Amount Due: $[AMOUNT]
Due Date: [DUE DATE]
Dear [Customer Name]:
This letter is a friendly reminder that payment for the above-referenced invoice is [due soon / past due].
INVOICE SUMMARY:
Invoice Number: [INV-XXXX]
Invoice Date: [ORIGINAL INVOICE DATE]
Original Due Date: [DUE DATE]
Days Past Due: [NUMBER] days (if applicable)
Amount Due:
Original Amount: $[AMOUNT]
Payments Received: -$[AMOUNT]
Late Fees (if any): $[AMOUNT]
─────────────────────────────
CURRENT BALANCE: $[TOTAL DUE]
PAYMENT REQUESTED:
Please remit payment of $[AMOUNT] by [DATE].
PAYMENT METHODS:
You may pay using any of the following methods:
☐ Check: Make payable to [YOUR BUSINESS NAME] and mail to:
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
☐ Bank Transfer:
Bank: [BANK NAME]
Account Name: [NAME]
Account Number: [NUMBER]
Routing Number: [NUMBER]
☐ Credit Card: Call [PHONE] or visit [WEBSITE]
☐ Online Payment: [PAYMENT PORTAL URL]
☐ Other: [Specify]
Please include your invoice number with your payment for proper crediting.
STATUS OF THIS REMINDER:
☐ FIRST REMINDER - Payment is due soon
Your payment is due on [DATE]. This is a courtesy reminder.
☐ SECOND REMINDER - Payment is now past due
Your payment was due on [DATE] and is now [NUMBER] days overdue.
Please make payment immediately to avoid late fees.
☐ THIRD REMINDER - Account seriously past due
Your account is now [NUMBER] days past due. Please contact us
immediately to make payment or discuss payment arrangements.
IF ALREADY PAID:
If you have already sent your payment, please disregard this notice and accept our thanks. If your payment and this letter crossed in the mail, please let us know so we can update our records.
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS:
If you have any questions about this invoice or are experiencing difficulties making payment, please contact us immediately at:
Phone: [PHONE NUMBER]
Email: [EMAIL ADDRESS]
We may be able to arrange a payment plan or discuss alternative solutions.
LATE PAYMENT CONSEQUENCES:
Please be advised that continued non-payment may result in:
☐ Late fees of $[AMOUNT] or [X]% per month
☐ Interest charges on past-due balances
☐ Suspension of services or future orders
☐ Reporting to credit bureaus
☐ Referral to collections
☐ Legal action to recover the debt
We value your business and hope to resolve this matter promptly.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Name]
[Title]
[Company Name]
---
For Office Use:
Invoice #: ________________
Original Amount: $________________
Current Balance: $________________
Days Past Due: ________________
Reminder Level: ☐ 1st ☐ 2nd ☐ 3rd
Date Sent: ________________
Response Received: ☐ Yes ☐ No
---
REMINDER SCHEDULE:
☐ 7 days before due - Courtesy reminder
☐ 1 day after due - Past due notice
☐ 15 days past due - Second reminder
☐ 30 days past due - Urgent notice
☐ 45+ days past due - Final notice / collection warningCollection Best Practices
- Start friendly. Assume the customer simply forgot. Most late payments are oversights, not intentional.
- Be consistent. Follow up on a regular schedule. Inconsistent collection efforts signal that late payment is acceptable.
- Make paying easy. Offer multiple payment methods and include all information they need to pay.
- Escalate gradually. Increase urgency with each reminder while maintaining professionalism.
- Document everything. Keep records of all communication for potential legal action.
Payment Reminder FAQ
When should I send a payment reminder?
Send a courtesy reminder 3-7 days before the due date, then immediately when payment becomes past due, and follow up at 15, 30, and 45-day intervals. Consistent follow-up improves collection rates.
Should I charge late fees?
Late fees are an effective incentive for timely payment, but they should be disclosed upfront (on the invoice or in your contract). Check your state laws for any limits on late fees.
How do I keep the tone professional but firm?
Start with friendly reminders assuming the oversight was unintentional. As time passes, become more direct about consequences. Always maintain professionalism—never be threatening or rude.
What if the customer says they cannot pay?
Offer a payment plan with scheduled installments. Get the agreement in writing. Some payment is usually better than no payment and pursuing collections.
Should I send reminders by mail or email?
Email is faster for routine reminders. Use certified mail for final notices or when you need proof of delivery for potential legal action or collections.
When should I escalate to collections or legal action?
Most businesses escalate after 60-90 days of non-payment with no communication. Before escalating, send a final notice warning of the consequences and give a last chance to pay.
Send Your Payment Reminder Today
For serious past-due accounts, certified mail creates a legal record of your collection attempts.
Send with The Letter Pilot