# Creating an Invoice

**Create invoices through your Alternative Partner Dashboard and notify your customers of pending payments.**

***

If you're not using any integrations and plan to create invoices directly in Alternative Payments, this guide will show you how to create an invoice. Here's how:

## Steps to Create an Invoice

1. Log in to your Alternative portal: [www.alternativepayments.io](https://www.alternativepayments.io/)
2. For a one-time invoice, select **Invoices** from the left side of the screen and select **Create invoice**.

<figure><img src="/files/A0KeMeoY8KXDSuZL2yOS" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. For a recurring invoice, select **Recurring payments** from the left side of the screen and select **Add recurring payment**.
4. **Select a customer.** Search for an existing customer or add a new customer directly from the invoice creation screen.
5. **Set the due date.** Select a due date for the invoice. The due date cannot be set to a date in the past.
6. **Enter the amount.** Enter the invoice amount. The amount must be greater than zero.
7. **Add a memo (optional).** Include a memo or description to provide additional context about the invoice. This text is visible to the customer.
8. **Choose a payment option.** Select one of the following payment timing options:

| Payment Option            | Description                                                                                                                                                 |
| ------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Charge later**          | Creates the invoice without charging the customer. The invoice will appear in their portal and you can send a notification or reminder to prompt payment.   |
| **Charge now**            | Immediately charges the customer's default payment method on file when the invoice is created. The customer must have a valid payment method saved.         |
| **Charge on due date**    | Automatically charges the customer's default payment method on the invoice due date. If Auto-Pay is enabled for the customer, this is the default behavior. |
| **Email payment link**    | Sends the customer an email with a direct link to pay the invoice. The customer can choose their preferred payment method at the time of payment.           |
| **Charge method on file** | Charges a specific payment method already saved on the customer's account. You select which payment method to use during invoice creation.                  |

9. Click **Create invoice**.

<figure><img src="/files/Ew1Zn9lz3WHQmpkF93Ke" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Validation Rules

* **Due date** must be today or a future date. Past dates are not accepted.
* **Amount** must be greater than $0.00.
* **Customer** is required. You cannot create an invoice without selecting or creating a customer.
* **Payment method on file** is required if you select "Charge now," "Charge on due date," or "Charge method on file." The customer must have a valid payment method saved.

## Notifying Your Customer

After creating the invoice, you can notify the customer in two ways:

* **Manual notification** -- Click the "Send" button on the invoice to send an email notification immediately.
* **Automatic reminders** -- Set up [automatic email reminders](/automations/email-notifications-and-reminders/automatic-email-notifications.md) so customers are notified automatically when invoices are created and reminded as the due date approaches.

Customers receive a branded invoice notification in their email. To make a payment, they log into their account through the email and use a saved payment method to pay their invoice in just 2-3 clicks. Through Alternative, customers are paying in **2 minutes or less**, much faster than any other option.

**Love our platform?** Rate us on [Channel Program](https://channelprogram.com/v/alternativepayments) and check out our [Referral Program page](https://www.alternativepayments.io/referral-partners/)!


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