A promissory note template turns a casual “I will pay you back” into a written record with an amount, a due date and a signature. This page has 12 free, editable promissory note samples in Word (.doc and .docx) that you can fill in and print, whether you are lending a relative money for a car repair or documenting a small loan to a friend.
What a Promissory Note Template Records
A promissory note is a written promise from a borrower to repay a stated sum to a lender, either on a fixed date or in installments. It is shorter than a full loan agreement and usually fits on one or two pages. Its main job is to remove doubt: months later, nobody has to remember whether the loan was 2,000 or 2,500, or whether the first payment was due on the 1st or the 15th.
Because the note is a simple document, it suits informal loans between people who know each other, as well as small business loans where a longer contract would be overkill.
Choosing the Right Promissory Note Format
The 12 samples below vary in layout, so pick the one closest to your loan and then edit the wording. As general guidance, these are the common structures you will meet when you write a promissory note:
- Single payment: the whole amount, plus any interest, is due on one date. Good for a short bridge loan.
- Installments: equal payments each month or week until the balance reaches zero. Good for larger amounts.
- Demand note: repayable when the lender asks, usually with a notice period.
- Secured note: names an item, such as a vehicle, that backs the loan.
- Unsecured note: relies only on the borrower’s promise.
Not every sample contains every clause. Read each preview and add or delete sections to match what you and the other party actually agreed.
What to Put in a Promissory Note
- The date and the place where the note is signed
- Full legal names and addresses of the borrower and the lender
- The principal amount in numbers and in words, so nobody can add a zero
- The interest rate, if any, and whether it is simple or compounded
- Payment dates, installment size and how each payment will be made (bank transfer, cheque, cash with a receipt)
- What counts as late, and any late fee both sides accept
- Whether the borrower may repay early without penalty
- Collateral details for a secured note
- Signature lines for both parties, plus witness or notary lines if your area expects them
A Worked Example
Suppose Maria lends her brother 3,000 to replace a boiler, to be repaid over 12 months with no interest. On a template she would enter both names, write “three thousand (3,000)” as the principal, set an installment of 250 due on the first of each month starting on a named date, and state that early repayment is allowed. She would add a line that the note is fully paid when the last installment clears, then both would sign and each keep a copy. When he pays, Maria writes the date and amount on a simple payment log so the remaining balance is never in doubt.
How to Use These Word Templates
Each sample below has a preview image and a download button. Press the button under the preview you like to save the file, open it in Microsoft Word or a compatible editor, and replace the sample names, amounts and dates. Some files are older .doc documents and others are .docx; both open in current versions of Word. Save your edited copy under a new name and print it for signing, or keep a scanned signed copy.
These are general samples for information only. Rules on interest limits, witnesses, notarization and enforcement differ by country and region, so check your local requirements or ask a qualified professional if the amount is large or the situation is complicated.
Who Uses a Promissory Note
Family members lending for tuition, a deposit or medical bills use them to keep money and relationships separate. Freelancers and small shops use them when a client asks to pay a large invoice over several months. Friends who split a big purchase, such as a used car, use them so the repayment plan is written down instead of remembered. In each case the note is only as good as its details, so take a few minutes to fill every field carefully and agree on each figure before anyone signs.
Mistakes to Avoid With a Promissory Note
- Leaving the due date vague, for example “when possible”.
- Using nicknames instead of full legal names.
- Agreeing on interest verbally but not writing the rate down.
- Forgetting to sign, or signing only one copy.
- Not recording payments as they arrive, which makes the balance hard to prove.
- Keeping the original after the loan is repaid instead of marking it paid and returning it to the borrower.
Template file guide
Before completing your template
- Check the borrower, lender, amount and currency.
- Make the repayment dates consistent across the document.
- Remove sample clauses that do not describe the agreed terms.
Use the file links below to open an option directly, or continue to the previews to compare layouts. File formats are taken from the linked filenames. Extract ZIP archives before checking the files inside.
| File or resource | Format / source |
|---|---|
| promissory note template 1 | DOCX |
| promissory note template 2 | DOCX |
| promissory note template 3 | DOCX |
| promissory note template 4 | DOCX |
| promissory note template 5 | DOCX |
| promissory note template 6 | DOC |
| promissory note template 8 | DOC |
| promissory note template 9 | DOC |
| promissory note template 10 | DOC |
| promissory note template 11 | DOC |
| promissory note template 12 | DOCX |
| promissory note template, sample 7 | DOC |
Download Free Promissory Note Templates
Choose from the samples below. Each has its own download button.
Promissory Note Sample 1
Promissory Note Sample 2
Promissory Note Sample 3
Promissory Note Sample 4
Promissory Note Sample 5
Promissory Note Sample 6
Promissory Note Sample 7
Promissory Note Sample 8
Promissory Note Sample 9
Promissory Note Sample 10
Promissory Note Sample 11
Promissory Note Sample 12
Related Templates
- free loan agreement templates for longer, more detailed loan terms
- contract between two parties templates for general two-party agreements
- payment contract templates for agreed payment schedules
- receipt of payment templates to confirm each installment received
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Promissory Note Templates
Is a promissory note the same as an IOU?
Not quite. An IOU only acknowledges a debt, while a promissory note also states a promise to repay, normally with a date or schedule and signatures.
Do I need a lawyer to use a promissory note template?
For a small, simple loan many people use a template on their own, but a qualified professional can help for large sums or unusual terms. Requirements vary by location.
Does a promissory note need to be notarized?
It depends on where you live and the type of loan. Some notes stand on signatures alone, others call for a witness or notary, so check local rules.
Can I add interest to a personal loan note?
Yes, if both people agree, but some places cap the rate that can be charged. Check local limits before you write a figure in.
What if the borrower misses a payment?
The signed note is written evidence of what was agreed. What you can do next depends on local law, so consider advice before taking action.
Should I include late fees?
Only if both sides accept them and they are allowed where you live. State the amount and the number of days after which they apply.
Can one note cover a business loan?
Yes, businesses also use them, although larger loans often need a fuller loan agreement with more clauses.
Which file types are these templates?
They are Word documents, some .doc and some .docx. Open them in Word or another editor that reads those formats, then edit and print.
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