Second Payment Reminder Email Templates

When your first payment reminder goes unanswered, a second follow-up is essential. These templates strike the right balance between firmness and professionalism, helping you escalate the conversation without burning the relationship. Use them when five to seven business days have passed since your initial reminder with no response or payment received.

1. Standard Second Reminder

Subject: Second Reminder — Invoice [Invoice Number] Now Overdue Hi [Client Name], I wanted to follow up on my previous email regarding Invoice [Invoice Number] for [Amount], which was originally due on [Due Date]. I understand things get busy, but this payment is now significantly past due and I have not yet received a response to my earlier reminder. Could you please provide an update on the status of this payment? I would appreciate confirmation of when I can expect it to be processed. I have reattached the invoice for your convenience. Please let me know if you need any additional details from my end. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Contact Info]

2. Direct Request for Payment Date

Subject: Payment Date Needed — Invoice [Invoice Number] Hi [Client Name], I am writing to follow up on Invoice [Invoice Number] for [Amount], which has been outstanding since [Due Date]. I previously reached out about this on [date of first reminder] but have not yet received a response. To help me plan accordingly, could you please confirm a specific date by which this payment will be made? Having a clear timeline would be very helpful for my records and cash flow planning. If there are any questions about the invoice or if anything needs to be adjusted, I am happy to discuss. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Kind regards, [Your Name] [Your Contact Info]

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3. Reference to Unanswered First Reminder

Subject: Following Up Again — Invoice [Invoice Number] Hi [Client Name], I sent a reminder on [date of first reminder] regarding the outstanding balance of [Amount] on Invoice [Invoice Number], but I have not heard back. I want to make sure my previous message did not get lost in your inbox. This invoice was due on [Due Date], and settling it promptly would be greatly appreciated. I understand schedules can be hectic, so I wanted to bring this back to your attention. Would you be able to reply with a quick update on the payment status? Even a brief confirmation that this is being processed would be helpful. Thank you, [Your Name] [Your Contact Info]

4. Firm but Assumes Possible Oversight

Subject: Friendly Follow-Up — Invoice [Invoice Number] May Have Been Missed Hi [Client Name], I understand how easy it is for things to slip through the cracks during busy periods, so I wanted to flag Invoice [Invoice Number] once more. The balance of [Amount] has been due since [Due Date], and my earlier follow-up does not appear to have reached the right person or may have been overlooked. If this has already been submitted for payment on your end, please disregard this note and let me know so I can watch for it. Otherwise, I would appreciate it if this could be prioritized in your next payment cycle. Thank you for your understanding. Warm regards, [Your Name] [Your Contact Info]

5. Requesting Confirmation of Invoice Receipt

Subject: Confirming Receipt — Invoice [Invoice Number] Hi [Client Name], I have reached out previously about Invoice [Invoice Number] for [Amount], due on [Due Date], but have not received a reply. Before I follow up further, I want to confirm that both the invoice and my earlier reminder were received on your end. Sometimes emails end up in spam or get routed to the wrong department, so I want to rule that out. Could you please confirm that you have the invoice on file and let me know the expected timeline for payment? I am happy to resend the invoice or provide it in a different format if that would be helpful. Thank you, [Your Name] [Your Contact Info]

6. Mentioning Impact on Your Workflow

Subject: Outstanding Balance Affecting Planning — Invoice [Invoice Number] Hi [Client Name], I hope you are doing well. I am writing again about Invoice [Invoice Number] for [Amount], originally due on [Due Date]. I have previously followed up on this but have not yet received payment or a response. I want to be transparent that this outstanding balance is beginning to affect my ability to plan upcoming work and allocate resources effectively. Timely payments help me continue delivering the quality of service you expect. I would really appreciate it if you could look into this and provide an update at your earliest convenience. I value our working relationship and want to keep things moving smoothly. Thank you, [Your Name] [Your Contact Info]

7. Asking If There Is a Billing Issue

Subject: Any Issues with Invoice [Invoice Number]? Hi [Client Name], Since I have not heard back regarding Invoice [Invoice Number] for [Amount] (due [Due Date]), I wanted to check whether there might be a billing question or issue on your end that is holding things up. If there is a discrepancy with the invoice, a question about any line item, or if your payment process requires something additional from me, I am happy to work through it quickly. My goal is to get this resolved smoothly for both of us. Please let me know the best way to move forward, and I will do my part to sort out whatever is needed. Best, [Your Name] [Your Contact Info]

8. Setting a Clear Timeline Request

Subject: Payment Requested Within 7 Business Days — Invoice [Invoice Number] Hi [Client Name], This is my second follow-up regarding Invoice [Invoice Number] for [Amount], which has been overdue since [Due Date]. I have not received a reply to my previous reminder, and I would like to bring this to a resolution. I would appreciate it if this payment could be processed within the next seven business days. If that timeline is not feasible for any reason, please let me know so we can discuss an alternative arrangement that works for both sides. I have attached the invoice again for your reference. Thank you for giving this your prompt attention. Regards, [Your Name] [Your Contact Info]

9. Brief and Direct Second Follow-Up

Subject: Second Notice — Invoice [Invoice Number] Past Due Hi [Client Name], Quick follow-up on Invoice [Invoice Number] for [Amount], due [Due Date]. I reached out previously and have not received a response. Could you please confirm when this will be paid? I would appreciate a reply at your earliest convenience. Thank you, [Your Name] [Your Contact Info]

10. Professional Escalation with Request for a Call

Subject: Can We Discuss Invoice [Invoice Number]? Hi [Client Name], I have now followed up twice regarding Invoice [Invoice Number] for [Amount], which was due on [Due Date], and I have not yet received a response or payment. I want to make sure we address this before it becomes a larger issue for either of us. Would you be available for a brief call this week to discuss the status of this payment? I find that a quick conversation is often the fastest way to clear up any outstanding questions and agree on next steps. Please let me know a time that works for you, or feel free to reach me directly at [Your Contact Info]. I value our professional relationship and would like to resolve this together. Thank you for your time, [Your Name] [Your Contact Info]

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Frequently Asked Questions

A common approach is to wait five to seven business days after your first reminder before sending a second one. This gives the client enough time to process internally while keeping the matter visible. If the original invoice was already significantly overdue, you may shorten that window to three business days.

Yes. The second reminder should be noticeably firmer in tone while staying professional. You can reference your previous message, restate the outstanding amount, and request a specific date for payment. Avoid being vague or overly apologetic since the client already received a first reminder.

Ask for payment confirmation details such as the transaction reference number, date of transfer, and the method used. Cross-reference that information with your bank or payment processor. If a genuine payment was made, apologize for the confusion and update your records. Mismatches in invoice numbers or amounts are common, so always verify specifics.

Focus on facts, not feelings. Reference the invoice number, amount, due date, and your prior communication. Frame the message around your need to plan and allocate resources rather than implying the client is being negligent. Offering a call to discuss any issues shows good faith and keeps the door open.

A phone call can be very effective as a complement to the second email, especially if you suspect your emails are being missed. However, having the reminder in writing is important for documentation. A good strategy is to send the email and then follow up with a brief call referencing it.

Your second reminder should include the invoice number, the total amount due, the original due date, a reference to your first reminder, the preferred payment method, and a clear request for a response by a specific date. Attaching or linking the original invoice again is also helpful.