Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Installment Promissory Note

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

PROMISSORY NOTE
(Fixed Rate, Installment Payments)

Caution -- It is important that you thoroughly read the contract before you sign it.

[Date] [City] [State]

1. BORROWER’S PROMISE TO PAY

In return for a loan that I have received, I promise to pay U.S. $ (this amount is called “principal”), plus interest, to the order of the Lender. The Lender is . I will make all payments under this Note in the form of cash, check, certified funds or money order at the option and direction of Lender.

I understand that the Lender may transfer this Note. The Lender or anyone who takes this Note by transfer and who is entitled to receive payments under this Note is called the “Note Holder.”

2. INTEREST

Interest will be charged on unpaid principal until the full amount of principal has been paid. I will pay interest at a yearly rate of %. The interest rate required by this Section 2 is the rate I will pay both before and after any default described in Section 6(B) of this Note.

3. PAYMENTS

(A) Time and Place of Payments

I will pay principal and interest by making a payment every month. I will make my monthly payment on the day of each month beginning on . I will make these payments every month until I have paid all of the principal and interest and any other charges described below that I may owe under this Note.

Each monthly payment will be applied as of its scheduled due date and will be applied to interest before principal. If, , I still owe amounts under this Note, I will pay those amounts in full on that date, which is called the “maturity date.”

I will make my monthly payments at or at a different place if required by the Note Holder.

(B) Amount of Monthly Payments

My monthly payment will be in the amount of U.S. $

4. BORROWER’S RIGHT TO PREPAY

{initial desired provision}

I have the right to make payments of principal at any time before they are due. A payment of principal only is known as a “prepayment.” When I make a prepayment, I will tell the Note Holder in writing that I am doing so. I may not designate a payment as a prepayment if I have not made all the monthly payments due under the Note.

I may make a full prepayment or partial prepayments without paying a prepayment charge. The Note Holder will use my prepayments to reduce the amount of principal that I owe under this Note. However, the Note Holder may apply my prepayment to the accrued and unpaid interest on the prepayment amount, before applying my prepayment to reduce the principal amount of the Note. If I make a partial prepayment, there will be no changes in the due date or in the amount of my monthly payment unless the Note Holder agrees in writing to those changes.

I shall not have the right to prepay this Note unless I pay a prepayment penalty for early prepayment in the amount determined by the Note Holder, not to exceed the maximum amount allowed by the laws of the state where the property is located.

5. LOAN CHARGES

If a law, which applies to this loan and which sets maximum loan charges, is finally interpreted so that the interest or other loan charges collected or to be collected in connection with this loan exceed the permitted limits, then: (i) any such loan charge shall be reduced by the amount necessary to reduce the charge to the permitted limit; and (ii) any sums already collected from me which exceeded permitted limits will be refunded to me. The Note Holder may choose to make this refund by reducing the principal I owe under this Note or by making a direct payment to me. If a refund reduces principal, the reduction will be treated as a partial prepayment.

6. BORROWER’S FAILURE TO PAY AS REQUIRED

(A) Late Charge for Overdue Payments and Receipt of Payments

If the Note Holder has not received the full amount of any monthly payment by the end of calendar days after the date it is due, I will pay a late charge to the Note Holder. The amount of the charge will be or . I will pay this late charge promptly but only once on each late payment.

In no event will the late charge exceed the maximum amount allowed by the applicable state law.

Payments to the note holder shall not be considered made until received by the Note Holder at the address specified. Mailing is insufficient to constitute delivery to the Note Holder.

The number of days required for payment of a late charge shall not be considered as a grace period for the payment date required under this Note and the Borrower shall be default if the payment is not paid on the due date.

(B) Default

If I do not pay the full amount of each monthly payment on the date it is due, I will be in default.

(C) Notice of Default

If I am in default, the Note Holder may send me a written notice telling me that if I do not pay the overdue amount by a certain date, the Note Holder may require me to pay immediately the full amount of principal, which has not been paid, and all the interest that I owe on that amount. That date must be at least 30 days after the date on which the notice is mailed to me or delivered by other means.

(D) No Waiver By Note Holder

Even if, at a time when I am in default, the Note Holder does not require me to pay immediately in full as described above, the Note Holder will still have the right to do so if I am in default at a later time.

(E) Payment of Note Holder’s Costs and Expenses

If the Note Holder has required me to pay immediately in full as described above, the Note Holder will have the right to be paid back by me for all of its costs and expenses in enforcing this Note to the extent not prohibited by applicable law. Those expenses include, for example, reasonable attorneys’ fees.

7. GIVING OF NOTICES

Unless applicable law requires a different method, any notice that must be given to me under this Note will be given by delivering it or by mailing it by first class mail to me at the Address above or at a different address if I give the Note Holder a notice of my different address. Any notice that must be given to the Note Holder under this Note will be given by delivering it or by mailing it by first class mail to the Note Holder at the address stated in Section 3(A) above or at a different address if I am given a notice of that different address.

8. OBLIGATIONS OF PERSONS UNDER THIS NOTE

If more than one person signs this Note, each person is fully and personally obligated to keep all of the promises made in this Note, including the promise to pay the full amount owed. Any person who is a guarantor, surety or endorser of this Note is also obligated to do these things. Any person who takes over these obligations, including the obligations of a guarantor, surety or endorser of this Note, is also obligated to keep all of the promises made in this Note. The Note Holder may enforce its rights under this Note against each person individually or against all of us together. This means that any one of us may be required to pay all of the amounts owed under this Note.

9. WAIVERS

I and any other person who has obligations under this Note waive the rights of presentment and notice of dishonor. “Presentment” means the right to require the Note Holder to demand payment of amounts due. “Notice of dishonor” means the right to require the Note Holder to give notice to other persons that amounts due have not been paid.

WITNESS THE HAND (S) AND SEAL (S) OF THE UNDERSIGNED

(Seal)

Borrower

(Seal)

Borrower

(Seal)

Borrower

(Seal)

Borrower

Enter text✕

What an Installment Promissory Note Is

An Installment Promissory Note is a written promise by a borrower to pay a lender a specified principal amount plus any stated interest in scheduled installments. It documents repayment terms including the principal, interest rate, payment amounts, due dates, late charges, prepayment rights, and remedies for default. The note can be secured by collateral or unsecured, and may include events of default, acceleration clauses, and governing law. Properly drafted notes support enforceability, UCC filing where appropriate, and clear expectations for both parties throughout the repayment term.

Why a Clear Installment Note Matters

A well-drafted Installment Promissory Note reduces disputes by documenting payment obligations, interest calculation, remedies, and timelines under a single, signed record.

Why a Clear Installment Note Matters

Common parties who use this document

Typical users range from banks and credit unions to small-business lenders and individual sellers offering seller financing.

  • Real estate lenders and mortgage servicers who need scheduled repayment terms and optional security interests.
  • Small-business lenders and equipment financiers documenting installment schedules and default remedies.
  • Individual sellers providing owner financing for property or expensive goods with installment repayment plans.

The document suits any lender or borrower who needs structured periodic repayment terms and legal clarity for enforcement.

Step-by-step: completing an Installment Promissory Note

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, execute, and retain a valid installment note.

  • 01
    Gather information: Collect legal names, addresses, IDs, and collateral details before drafting.
  • 02
    Set payment terms: Define principal, interest, schedule, and late fees in clear numerical terms.
  • 03
    Add legal clauses: Include default remedies, acceleration, governing law, and waiver clauses as needed.
  • 04
    Execute and retain: Have all parties sign, notarize if required, and store the executed copy securely.

Essential components to include in the note

Include the following elements to ensure the note is complete, enforceable, and operational for both parties.

Identifying Parties

Clearly identify borrower and lender with full legal names, business entity types if applicable, mailing addresses, and contact information for notices and service.

Principal & Payment

State the exact principal balance, how payments reduce principal, the amount of each installment, and whether amounts vary over the term (amortizing or interest-only schedules).

Interest and Calculation

Specify the interest rate, basis (actual/365 or 30/360), compounding frequency, and how interest accrues between scheduled payments to avoid calculation disputes.

Default and Remedies

Define events of default, cure periods, acceleration rights, collection costs, and whether interest rate increases on default to establish enforceable remedies.

Security & UCC Filing

If secured, describe collateral precisely and indicate that a UCC-1 financing statement may be filed to perfect the lender's security interest and priority.

Governing Law

Name the governing state law for interpretation and dispute resolution, and include venue or arbitration clauses if parties want an alternate forum.

Security and compliance items to note

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3; AES-256 at rest
Audit Trail: Timestamped signing history
HIPAA Support: BAA available on request
21 CFR Part 11: Support for FDA-regulated workflows
SOC 2: SOC 2 Type II certified
Accessibility: WCAG 2.0 Level AA

How electronic completion and delivery typically flow

A standard e-sign workflow simplifies signature capture while preserving evidence needed for enforceability.

  • Upload document: Import PDF or DOCX into the signing platform.
  • Place fields: Add signature, date, and conditional fields for parties.
  • Authenticate signer: Use email link, SMS code, or stronger options for identity.
  • Complete signing: Signer reviews and signs; system captures audit trail.

Configuring a digital workflow for this note

Recommended settings for a repeatable e-sign workflow when sending notes to multiple parties.

Field Configuration
Signing Order Set lender first or borrower first depending on funding sequence
Authentication Use email + SMS code for most transactions; require KBA for higher risk
Payment Collection Enable payment request if initial down payment is required
Notifications Auto-reminders for missed payments at configurable intervals

Technical considerations for e-signature and storage

Confirm platform capabilities for authentication, document formats, and integrations before sending.

  • File formats: PDF, DOCX, Excel supported
  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace
  • Storage: Cloud storage with retention options

Key dates commonly tracked in payment notes

Track these dates to manage payments, notices, and statutory windows effectively.

Effective Date:

The start date for interest and obligations

First Payment Due:

Date when the initial installment is payable

Recurring Due Dates:

Monthly or other periodic payment dates

Default Notice Period:

Days allowed to cure missed payment

Acceleration Date:

When remaining balance becomes due

Typical milestones from drafting to repayment

A sequential view of major stages shows where actions, notices, and triggers occur during a note lifecycle.

01

Drafting Completed

Document prepared with terms and collateral described.

02

Execution

All parties sign and date the note to make it effective.

03

Funding

Lender disburses funds per the payment schedule or conditions.

04

Repayment Begins

Scheduled installments commence according to payment calendar.

Common errors to avoid when preparing a note

  • Using vague payment terms such as 'reasonable installments' instead of fixed amounts and schedules creates enforceability disputes and calculation ambiguity.
  • Failing to identify collateral precisely (legal description, VIN, account numbers) can invalidate security and complicate UCC perfection.
  • Omitting a governing law and venue clause leads to uncertainty about applicable statute and increases litigation complexity and cost.
  • Entering inconsistent names or addresses between the note and supporting documents undermines priority in enforcement and may impede UCC filings.

Consequences of incomplete or incorrect notes

Unenforceable Terms: May void remedies
Default Exposure: Immediate acceleration risk
UCC Priority Loss: Imprecise collateral harms priority
Tax Penalties: Reporting errors incur fines
Notary Defects: May delay enforcement
Fraud Allegations: Civil and criminal exposure

Practical scenarios using an installment promissory note

Realistic examples illustrate common structures for seller financing and business loans.

Seller-Financed Home Sale

A buyer finances part of the purchase price directly with the seller and signs an installment note outlining monthly payments and a balloon payment at year five.

  • Security: deed of trust secures the note.
  • The note clarifies interest calculation, default remedies, and a UCC or real property recording plan to protect the seller’s priority in collateral and facilitate collection if needed.

Small Business Term Loan

A lender provides capital to a small business with a 36-month repayment schedule and monthly installments.

  • Security: equipment pledged as collateral.
  • The note specifies payment allocation, late fee schedule, acceleration upon default, and UCC-1 filing to perfect the lender’s security interest, ensuring clarity for enforcement and resale of collateral if required.

Practical tips for accurate and efficient completion

Follow these best practices to reduce errors and speed execution.

Use precise language
Write numeric values and spelled-out amounts, define interest basis and compounding, and avoid ambiguous terms.
Standardize templates
Use vetted template language for recurring loans and keep a versioned master copy with revision dates.
Confirm signer identity
Require government ID, email + SMS, or stronger KYC measures for higher-value notes.
Record perfection steps
Document UCC-1 filing, recordation of deeds, and if applicable, notary or witness actions in your file.

eSignature vendor pricing and capability comparison

Comparing baseline plan prices and core capabilities can inform platform selection for signing and storing installment notes.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Yes Yes Yes Yes
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently asked questions about Installment Promissory Notes

Answers to common practical and legal questions about drafting, signing, and enforcing these notes.


Need help? Contact support

be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users