Past Due / Payment Reminder Invoice

Chase an unpaid invoice professionally — reference the original, add any late fee, and set a clear new deadline.

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DescriptionQtyUnit PriceTotal
$0.00
$0.00



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Your Company Name
123 Business Street City, State 10001 Country
hello@yourcompany.com
+1 555 000 0000
REMINDER
INV-2025-001
Bill To
Client Name
456 Client Avenue City, State 20002
client@example.com
Re: invoice INV-2026-014, due May 30, 2026
Issue Date
Due Date
DescriptionQtyUnit PriceTotal
Subtotal$0.00
Discount$0.00
Tax (10%)$0.00
Shipping$0.00
TOTAL DUE$0.00
Payment Details: Bank: Your Bank Name Account: 1234567890
This is a reminder that invoice INV-2026-014, due May 30, remains unpaid. Please arrange payment within 7 days. If payment has already been made, kindly disregard this notice.
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How to Send a Payment Reminder That Gets Paid

Most late payments are not refusals — they are invoices that fell into someone's inbox void. A payment reminder works when it makes paying easy and ignoring awkward: it names the original invoice, shows the amount (plus any late fee your terms allow), repeats the payment details, and sets one specific new date. This template prints the original invoice number and due date right on the document, so accounts-payable can match it in seconds.

Tone matters more than threats. The professional escalation ladder is: a friendly nudge a few days after the due date, this formal reminder at 1–2 weeks, a firmer final notice at 30 days mentioning next steps, and only then collections or small-claims court. Most invoices get paid at step one or two — burning the relationship at step one costs more than the invoice.

What a Reminder Must Contain

  • The original invoice number and due date — so there is zero ambiguity about what is owed
  • The outstanding amount — and the late fee as its own line, if you charge one
  • Payment details repeated — never make them dig out the old invoice to find your bank details
  • One new deadline — "within 7 days" with the due date field set accordingly
  • A graceful exit — "if payment has been made, please disregard" keeps goodwill when mail crossed

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I legally charge a late fee?
Generally only if your original invoice or contract stated the late fee or interest rate. Some jurisdictions (e.g. the EU and UK for B2B debts) grant statutory interest even without a clause. State the basis in the line item — “per agreed terms” or the statutory reference.
When should I send the first reminder?
3–7 days after the due date. Earlier feels aggressive; later signals you do not track receivables. A polite same-week reminder also catches genuine oversights before they age into awkwardness.
Should I keep doing work for a client with unpaid invoices?
Pausing new work is the single most effective collection tool a freelancer has. Say it neutrally: “I will resume on the next milestone once invoice INV-014 is settled.” It converts your leverage without burning the relationship.
What if they still do not pay?
At 30–45 days send a final notice stating the next step (collections agency, small-claims court, or statutory demand depending on jurisdiction and amount). Keep every invoice and reminder — the paper trail this template creates is exactly what a court or agency asks for first.