Promissory note sample, filled in
Reviewed in November 2026
This page shows a promissory note filled in with real figures, line by line. Use the generator above to make your own version with your names and dates.
PROMISSORY NOTE
USD 12,000.00
(twelve thousand dollars)
Your file never leaves your device.
What it includes
- Borrower name and address
- Lender name
- Principal in figures and words
- Interest rate per year
- Due date or installment schedule
- Place of payment
- Co-signer (optional)
- Governing law
- Signatures
Promissory note sample: full text
PROMISSORY NOTE
Date: [date] Place: [city, state]
For value received, [borrower name] ("Borrower"), of [address], promises to pay
to the order of [lender name] ("Lender") the principal sum of [amount in words]
([amount]).
The unpaid principal bears interest at [rate]% per year until paid in full.
Borrower will pay in [number] monthly installments of [amount], starting on
[first date], at [place of payment].
If any installment is not paid when due, Lender may declare the whole balance due.
Borrower may prepay all or part of this note at any time without penalty.
This note is governed by the laws of [state or country].
____________________________ ____________________________
[Borrower name] [Co-signer name, optional]
Borrower Co-signerThe sample, line by line
John Miller borrows USD 12,000.00 from Sarah Johnson. He repays it in 12 monthly installments at 6% a year.
| Line of the note | What the sample says | Why it is there |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Promissory note | Names the document |
| Promise | Borrower promises to pay to the order of the lender | The core of the note |
| Principal | USD 12,000.00, twelve thousand dollars | A sum certain, in words too |
| Interest | 6% per year on the unpaid principal | The cost of the loan |
| Schedule | 12 installments from 1 December 2026 | When each payment falls |
| Place of payment | Austin, Texas | Where payment is made |
| Acceleration | All installments due if one is missed | Protects the lender |
| Governing law | The State of Texas | Which law applies |
| Signature | John Miller | Makes it binding |
Three common versions
| Version | Use it when | Key change |
|---|---|---|
| Single payment | The whole sum is repaid on one date | One due date |
| Installments | Repayment goes month by month | A numbered schedule |
| With co-signer | The lender wants a second person liable | A second signature |
Pick the version above the generator. The text of the note changes with it.
How the sample handles interest
Interest at 6% a year on USD 12,000.00 adds up to about USD 393 over 12 months.
Each installment is about USD 1,032.80 on a level payment schedule.
If the note carries no interest, write that it bears no interest when paid on time.
Common mistakes
- Amount in figures that differs from the amount in words.
- No due date or a vague one.
- Interest written as a monthly figure without saying so.
- No signature, or the lender signs instead of the borrower.
- Missing state or country for the governing law.
Field by field
- Borrower: the full legal name and address, such as John A. Miller of 410 Elm Street. Initials alone make the note hard to enforce.
- Lender: the person or business that receives the payments. Write «to the order of Sarah Johnson» to keep it negotiable.
- Principal: USD 12,000.00 in figures and twelve thousand dollars in words. The two must match exactly.
- Interest: a rate per year, such as 6%. Writing «0.5%» without «per month» causes disputes later.
- Schedule: the first date, the number of payments and each amount. Twelve payments of USD 1,032.80 from 1 December 2026.
- Acceleration: what happens after a missed payment. Most lenders make the whole balance due.
- Signatures: the borrower always signs. A co-signer adds a second signature below.
Interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing notes
An interest-bearing note states a rate and how it runs.
«The unpaid principal bears interest at 6% per year until paid in full.»
A non-interest-bearing note states that no interest applies if paid on time.
«This note bears no interest if each installment is paid on its due date.»
Family loans often use the second version. Business loans usually carry a rate.
A second sample from the Philippines
Maria Lopez lends PHP 30,000.00 to her cousin Joel in Quezon City.
The note carries no interest and has one due date of 31 March 2027.
| Line | Text in the note |
|---|---|
| Amount | Thirty thousand pesos (PHP 30,000.00) |
| Interest | None if paid on the due date |
| Due date | 31 March 2027 |
| Place | Quezon City |
Pick «Single payment» above and the generator prints this version.
Making a promissory note step by step
- Agree the amount, the rate and the dates before writing anything.
- Fill in the generator with both names and the schedule.
- Check that the figures and the words say the same amount.
- Print the note and let the borrower sign it.
- Give the borrower a copy and keep the original.
- Record each payment with a receipt until the balance is zero.
When the note is paid
On the last payment, write «Paid in full» and the date on the original.
Sign it and return it to the borrower with a final receipt.
The borrower then holds proof that nothing more is owed.
Keep a copy of the paid note and the receipts for your own records.
If the original is lost, sign a short letter that confirms full payment instead.
Let the reminders go out on their own
Makatea sends the reminder before each installment on WhatsApp and records every payment. The balance updates on its own. Try it free for 14 days, no card needed.
Free on Makatea: promissory note template · free receipt template
Frequently asked questions
What does a simple promissory note look like?
A title, a promise to pay a set amount to the lender, the due date and the borrower's signature.
Does a promissory note need a witness?
Not always. Some lenders add a witness or a notary for larger amounts.
Can I sign it electronically?
In many places yes. The link next to the download sends it to sign in SignSolú.
Who keeps the original note?
The lender keeps the signed original. The borrower keeps a copy.
Is a promissory note a negotiable instrument?
It is when it meets the local rules, such as being payable to order. The sample follows that form.
What is a non-interest-bearing promissory note?
A note that charges no interest when each payment arrives on time.
Is a loan note the same as a promissory note?
In everyday use yes. Both record a loan and the promise to repay it on set dates.
Is this sample legal advice?
No. This template is a private document between the parties. It is not legal advice and it does not replace a lawyer for large sums.
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