What is a payment request form?

If you’ve ever needed to ask someone for money—whether it’s a customer, a vendor, or even a coworker—you know that keeping things clear and documented can save a lot of headaches. That’s where a payment request form comes in. It’s a simple document used to formally request for payment. Think of it like a written heads-up that outlines how much is owed, who it’s for, and how it should be paid. Having a request for payment template handy is a great way to speed up the process and keep requests relatively uniform. Here is a payment request letter sample:

How to use a payment request form

People use payment request forms in all kinds of settings. In an office, someone might use one to get reimbursed for a business expense. In accounting or finance teams, they’re often used to request payments to vendors or contractors.

When a payment is being made from a bank account instead of a credit card, using an ACH payment request form is the most effective option. This form informs the payer that you prefer to receive payment via ACH (Automated Clearing House). It typically includes sections for banking details, invoice numbers, and payment amounts.

If you’re on the other side—say, working in accounts payable— then you’ve probably come across a vendor payment request form. That’s what vendors or contractors send to let your company know it’s time to pay up. It helps your team verify the request, confirm that the service or product was delivered, and process the payment correctly.

What is a stop payment request form?

Now, sometimes payments need to be stopped. Maybe it was sent to the wrong vendor, or maybe there was a duplicate request. That’s where a stop payment request form comes into play. This form is used to tell your bank or payment processor to cancel a payment that hasn’t gone through yet. Timing matters here—if the payment has already been processed, stopping it can get tricky.

If you’re managing any kind of payments, especially in a business setting, having these forms on hand and knowing when to use them can really help keep things running smoothly. They bring structure to what could otherwise be a chaotic back-and-forth—and they give both sides a clear record of what’s happening.

Is a payment request and a payment requisition the same?

If you’re working with payments at your company, you might wonder whether a payment request and a payment requisition are the same thing. They’re related, but not exactly interchangeable.

• A payment requisition is usually a formal, internal document. It’s what someone fills out to get approval before the payment actually happens. Think of it as the green light your finance or accounting team needs to move forward. This process often involves a few steps, like checks and approvals, to make sure the payment is legit and everything adds up.
• A payment request can mean a couple of different things. Sometimes it’s an external ask, like when a vendor sends you a bill or invoice requesting payment. Other times, it’s just a less formal way for someone inside your company to ask the finance team to pay a certain expense. It’s not always tied to that formal approval workflow that a requisition usually follows.

While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, the key difference lies in formality and process. Requisitions usually have a clear path and approvals before money changes hands. Requests might be more casual or external, depending on the context.