The job of a second reminder is different from the first: instead of assuming the client forgot, you ask them to commit to a payment date. Here is the go-to version - copy it, replace the placeholders, and send. Nine more variants for specific situations follow below.
Start here: the go-to second reminder
Subject: Second reminder: invoice [Invoice number] - payment date needed
Hi [Client name], Following up on invoice [Invoice number] for [Outstanding amount], now [X] days past its due date of [Original due date]. I wanted to check whether payment is already in progress. If not, please confirm your expected payment date today. Payment link: [Payment link] If anything is blocking payment, reply and I'll help resolve it quickly. Thanks, [Your name]
All 10 second-reminder templates
Pick the variant that matches your situation - each one states the invoice number, amount, due date and a single clear ask.
1. Friendly second reminder
Use when the client is normally reliable and the first reminder may simply have been missed.
Subject: Quick follow-up: invoice [Invoice number]
Hi [Client name], Just circling back on invoice [Invoice number] for [Outstanding amount], which was due on [Original due date]. I sent a reminder last week and wanted to make sure it didn't get buried. Could you confirm when payment is scheduled? Here's the payment link again: [Payment link] Thanks so much, [Your name]
2. Professional second reminder
A fuller, businesslike follow-up that restates every detail an accounts team needs to process payment without digging through old emails.
Subject: Second reminder: invoice [Invoice number] outstanding
Hi [Client name], I'm following up on invoice [Invoice number] for [Outstanding amount], due on [Original due date], which remains outstanding. For convenience: Invoice number: [Invoice number] Amount due: [Outstanding amount] Original due date: [Original due date] Payment link: [Payment link] Please confirm either that payment has been scheduled (with the expected date) or that there's a blocker we should resolve. I've reattached the invoice to this email. Thank you, [Your name]
3. Firm second reminder
Use when the first reminder got no reply at all and the invoice is more than a week overdue. Direct, but not hostile.
Subject: Invoice [Invoice number] now [X] days overdue - payment date needed
Hi [Client name], Invoice [Invoice number] for [Outstanding amount] is now [X] days past its due date of [Original due date], and I haven't had a response to my previous reminder. Please confirm a payment date by [reply-by date]. If there is a problem with the invoice, let me know today so we can resolve it. Payment link: [Payment link] Regards, [Your name]
4. Very short second reminder
Two sentences. Works well on mobile and for busy clients who respond better to brevity.
Subject: 2nd reminder: invoice [Invoice number]
Hi [Client name] - second reminder that invoice [Invoice number] ([Outstanding amount], due [Original due date]) is still open. Can you confirm a payment date today? Pay here: [Payment link] Thanks, [Your name]
5. Accounts-payable follow-up
For invoices routed through an AP department rather than your direct contact. Reference numbers do the heavy lifting here.
Subject: Payment follow-up: invoice [Invoice number] / PO [PO number]
Hello Accounts Payable team, I'm following up on invoice [Invoice number] (PO [PO number]) for [Outstanding amount], issued on [Invoice date] and due [Original due date]. This is my second follow-up. Could you confirm the invoice is approved in your system and share the scheduled payment date? If anything is missing for processing - a copy of the invoice, PO reference or supplier details - let me know and I'll send it right away. Kind regards, [Your name]
6. Missing payment-date follow-up
Use when the client replied to your first reminder but never gave an actual date. The single ask: a date.
Subject: Invoice [Invoice number]: payment date confirmation
Hi [Client name], Thanks for your reply about invoice [Invoice number]. To close this out on my side, could you confirm the specific date payment will be sent? Amount due: [Outstanding amount], originally due [Original due date]. Payment link: [Payment link] Much appreciated, [Your name]
7. Reminder with payment link
Puts the payment action front and center. Best when the friction is genuinely "I keep forgetting", not a cash-flow issue.
Subject: One click to settle invoice [Invoice number]
Hi [Client name], Following up on invoice [Invoice number] for [Outstanding amount] (due [Original due date]). You can pay in under a minute here: [Payment link] If it's already been paid, ignore this and thank you. Otherwise, I'd appreciate it if you could settle it this week. Best, [Your name]
8. Reminder after a broken promise to pay
The client committed to a date and missed it. Reference the promise factually and ask for a new, firm date.
Subject: Invoice [Invoice number]: payment expected [promised date]
Hi [Client name], When we last spoke, payment for invoice [Invoice number] ([Outstanding amount]) was expected by [promised date]. It hasn't arrived yet. I understand things slip, but I do need a firm date now. Please confirm today when payment will be made, or call me if there's an issue we should talk through. Payment link: [Payment link] Regards, [Your name]
9. Reminder for a valued long-term client
Protects the relationship while still being clear that the invoice needs to be paid. Warmth plus specifics.
Subject: Small admin item: invoice [Invoice number]
Hi [Client name], Hope things are going well. One small admin item: invoice [Invoice number] for [Outstanding amount] (due [Original due date]) is still open - I know these things slip through, so this is just a friendly second nudge. Here's the payment link when convenient this week: [Payment link] Looking forward to the next project. Warm regards, [Your name]
10. Second reminder before escalation
The last "normal" reminder before you switch to firm or final-notice wording. Signal the next step without threatening.
Subject: Invoice [Invoice number]: response needed by [reply-by date]
Hi [Client name], Invoice [Invoice number] for [Outstanding amount] is now [X] days overdue and I haven't received a response to my previous reminders. I'd genuinely prefer to resolve this between us. Please reply with a payment date by [reply-by date]. If I don't hear back, I'll need to move this to our formal overdue process. Payment link: [Payment link] Regards, [Your name]
Second reminder subject lines
- Second reminder: invoice [Invoice number] overdue
- 2nd reminder: invoice [Invoice number] ([Outstanding amount])
- Follow-up: invoice [Invoice number] still outstanding
- Invoice [Invoice number]: payment date confirmation needed
- Reminder 2: action needed on invoice [Invoice number]
- Invoice [Invoice number] [X] days overdue - quick update?
- Please confirm payment timing: invoice [Invoice number]
- Second payment request: invoice [Invoice number]
- Invoice [Invoice number] status check (second reminder)
- Re: invoice [Invoice number] - following up again
Saying "second reminder" or "2nd reminder" in the subject signals sequence stage without aggression. For the full library across every stage, see these payment reminder subject lines.
When to send a second reminder - and what it must include
Send the second reminder 3 to 7 days after the first if you have had no payment and no reply. Every version should contain:
- Invoice number and amount
- Original due date and days overdue
- A reference to the earlier reminder
- One clear ask: a confirmed payment date
- A payment link or payment instructions
- An invitation to flag problems or disputes
Tone-wise, stay polite but drop the "just checking in" energy of a friendly first reminder. Shorter, more specific, and anchored to a date.
When to escalate after the second reminder
- Client replies with a specific pay date: hold tone, monitor, follow up only if the date is missed.
- Client replies vaguely: send a firm payment reminder with a deadline.
- No response after another 5-7 days: move straight to the firm reminder.
- Still unresolved around day 30: issue a final notice or a formal past due notice.
Timeline: first to second to escalation
- Day 1-3 First reminder
- Day 4-7 Second reminder
- Day 8-29 Firm reminder window
- Day 30-44 Final notice phase
Related templates
- Friendly payment reminder email - the first-touch templates that come before this stage.
- Firm payment reminder email - the next step when second reminders are ignored.
- Final notice for an unpaid invoice - the last message before escalation.
- Past due notice template - formal letter and email formats.
- Invoice reminder email templates - the full sequence in one place.
- Overdue invoice email templates by day - standalone emails for day 1, 7, 14 and 30.
- How to chase unpaid invoices - the full step-by-step guide.
- Automated invoice chasing software - tools that send second reminders for you on schedule.
Never write a second reminder manually again
ChaseAI drafts and sends your full follow-up sequence - first reminder to final notice - from one invoice.
