Free Past Due Invoice Email Template and Examples

Invoice Layouts for Your Next Bill

Following up on an overdue payment? Use the invoice you already sent. Go straight to the past-due email examples.

These previews show invoice layouts for future bills, not email designs. Open the invoice generator when you need a new invoice.

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  Sample Invoice Layout

  Create Free Invoice
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  Free Invoice Layout

  Create Free Invoice
• 

  Printable Invoice Layout

  Create Free Invoice

See six more invoice layouts below.

Past Due Invoice Email Examples

Choose the message that fits the conversation so far. Replace the bracketed text and check that the balance is still unpaid. These examples assume you attach a PDF of the existing invoice in your usual email app.

Choose a first reminder, firmer follow-up, final reminder or partial-payment reminder.

Start with a friendly reminder when the due date has passed and you have not yet asked about the payment.

Use a firmer follow-up after your first message goes unanswered. Give the customer a clear date to reply, without changing the invoice’s original due date.

Use a final reminder when earlier emails have gone unanswered and this will be your last email reminder. Keep the request specific, without threats.

In this example, all amounts are in US dollars. The invoice total is $540.00. The customer has paid $200.00, leaving $340.00 due. Replace all three amounts with your own figures before sending.

How to Write a Past Due Invoice Email

Open the existing invoice in Docelf and check your payment records. Use that invoice for the reminder rather than creating a second bill for the same work.

1. Check the Customer: Confirm the customer’s billing contact and email address.
2. Use the Existing Invoice: Keep the same invoice number and original due date.
3. Confirm the Balance: Check the payment record in Docelf. Add any missing payments before using the remaining balance.
4. Check Payment Instructions: Check the payment instructions in Terms and Conditions against what you and the customer agreed.
5. Write the Reminder: Add the invoice number to the subject. Replace the placeholders in your chosen message.
6. Check and Send: Download and attach the invoice PDF. Check the recipient and attachment before sending.

Keep the Original Invoice Terms Clear

Use the invoice’s original due date in your reminder. A reply deadline does not replace it. Confirm any new payment date with the customer in writing.

Put payment instructions on the invoice so the customer does not need to ask for them. Include only policies your business uses. Check local requirements before including late fees or other conditions.

These example Terms and Conditions are for a new invoice. Adjust them to match your agreement with the customer. Do not add new terms to an overdue invoice as though the customer had already agreed to them.

After You Send the Reminder

Docelf shows delivery and opening details for invoices you email from it. Those details do not cover a separate reminder sent from your email app. An opened invoice does not mean the customer has paid.

You can add a note to the payment record for a reference or a short explanation. Docelf marks a fully paid invoice as Paid. Once the balance is zero, stop sending payment reminders.

Help the Customer Recognize Your Invoice

Add your logo to future invoices in Docelf so customers can recognize your business. Choose fonts and colors that match your other documents. You can also put an industry name before the invoice title. Keep your billing email or phone number in the footer so customers know where to ask a question.

Use the currency you agreed on with the customer. Docelf supports US dollars, Australian dollars, Canadian dollars, British pounds and euros. You can also attach the agreed work details, a breakdown of the charges or a reference image.

More Invoice Layouts for Future Bills

These additional layouts are for future invoices. For an overdue reminder, keep using the existing invoice number and send a copy of that bill.

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  Blank Invoice Layout

  Create Free Invoice
• 

  Simple Invoice Layout

  Create Free Invoice
• 

  Standard Invoice Layout

  Create Free Invoice
• 

  Itemized Invoice Layout

  Create Free Invoice
• 

  Basic Invoice Layout

  Create Free Invoice
• 

  Hourly Invoice Layout

  Create Free Invoice

Invoice File Formats for Future Bills

Prefer to create future invoices in a file? Use Word or Google Docs to edit the document. Use Excel or Google Sheets for quantities and totals. For this reminder, send a copy of the invoice you already issued.

• Word Invoice Template
• Google Docs Invoice Template
• Excel Invoice Template
• Google Sheets Invoice Template

More Help With Invoice Emails and Payment Records

Sending the first invoice rather than a reminder? Use the invoice email template. The other guides help you explain payment terms or record what the customer has paid.

• First Invoice Email Examples
• Invoice Terms and Conditions
• Paid Invoice Template
• Invoice Receipt Template

Past Due Invoice Email FAQs

• When should I send a past-due invoice email?

  Check that the original due date has passed and that a balance remains unpaid. Review any payment or message from the customer before sending the first reminder. For later follow-ups, check the reply or payment date you discussed. Avoid sending the same message repeatedly.

• Should I create a new invoice when the old one is overdue?

  No. For a reminder about the same charges, refer to the existing invoice number and send a copy of that invoice. Creating a second bill can make it unclear which invoice the customer should pay. Use a new invoice for new charges, not just because an earlier bill is late.

• What amount should I request after a partial payment?

  Ask for the remaining balance, not the original total. A $200.00 payment on a $540.00 invoice leaves $340.00 to pay. Record the payment in Docelf, then use that balance in your reminder.

• What should I do if the customer says they already paid?

  Ask for the payment date, amount and reference. Check them against your payment records before sending another reminder. Once you confirm the payment, record it against the invoice. Tell the customer whether any balance remains.

• How should I reply if the customer questions a charge?

  Ask which charge they have a question about. Check it against the work or order you agreed on and explain it in your reply. Resolve the question before sending another reminder. Confirm when the customer expects to pay.

• What should a final past-due reminder include?

  Mention your earlier messages and include the original due date and remaining balance. Ask for payment or a reply by a specific date. Give the customer a way to contact you, and keep the request factual rather than threatening. This example is a payment reminder, not a legal notice or advice on debt collection.

Ready for Your Next Invoice?

Give your customer an invoice that clearly shows what they owe.

• Set a clear payment due date
• Email the invoice or download a PDF
• Record payments and see the remaining balance

Create Free Invoice