Yes, you can change your mortgage payment due date, but the process and your options depend on your lender
Most lenders allow you to move your payment due date to a different day of the month, though some charge a fee and others do not. The change usually takes effect within one to three billing cycles. You cannot move your due date to avoid a missed payment that has already been reported—that requires a separate conversation about past-due amounts. If you are current on your mortgage, contact your lender's payment department directly to request the change; do not assume an online portal will have this option.
The reason to change your due date is usually practical: your paycheck arrives on a different day, you want to align multiple bills, or the current date creates cash flow problems. Some lenders make this a simple phone call. Others require a written request or charge $15 to $50 for the change. A few will not move the date at all, though this is less common with large servicers.
Key Takeaways
- Contact your loan servicer's payment department directly—do not rely on online banking portals, which often do not offer this function.
- The change typically takes effect within one to three billing cycles, so plan ahead if you need it by a specific month.
- Some lenders charge a fee between $15 and $50; others do it at no cost, so ask before you request the change.
- You cannot use a due date change to erase a missed payment or late fee that has already been reported to your credit file.
- If your lender refuses to move the date, you can still make payments early or on a different schedule without penalty, as long as they are received by the original due date.
How to request a due date change with your lender
Call your loan servicer's customer service line and ask to speak with someone in the payment or account services department. Have your loan number and current due date ready. Tell them the new date you want and ask whether there is a fee. Some servicers will process the request over the phone and confirm it immediately; others will mail you a form to sign and return.
If your servicer requires a written request, ask them to email or mail the form to you. Do not assume that an email from you counts as a formal request—most servicers have a specific form or process. Keep a copy of any form you submit and note the date you sent it. Request written confirmation once the change is complete, including the effective date and your new due date.
If you bank online with your servicer, log in and look for a "payment settings" or "account preferences" section. Some lenders allow due date changes through their portal, but many do not. If you do not see the option, that is not a sign it is unavailable—it usually means you have to call or submit a form instead.
What happens during the transition month
When you change your due date, your servicer will tell you when the change takes effect. This is usually one to three billing cycles after your request. During the transition, you may have a shorter or longer payment cycle than normal.
For example, if your current due date is the 15th and you move it to the 1st, your next payment cycle might be only two weeks instead of a month. Your servicer should calculate the payment amount for that shorter period, or they may ask you to make a partial payment to cover the gap. Ask your servicer to explain exactly what will happen in the transition month before you request the change.
Do not skip a payment during the transition. Make your payment on the original due date until your servicer confirms the change has taken effect, then switch to the new date.
Fees and whether you should pay them
Some lenders charge $15 to $50 to change your due date. Others do it for free. Before you request the change, ask whether there is a fee and what it covers. A one-time fee may be worth it if the new date solves a recurring cash flow problem, but if you are only moving the date by a few days, it may not be worth the cost.
If your servicer charges a fee and you think it is unreasonable, you can ask whether they will waive it. Servicers sometimes do, especially if you have been a reliable payer or if the change is driven by a legitimate hardship. It does not hurt to ask, but do not expect a yes.
Do not confuse a due date change fee with a late payment fee. If you have already missed a payment, changing the due date will not erase the late fee or the missed payment from your credit report. Those are separate issues that require a different conversation with your servicer.
What to do if your lender will not change the due date
A small number of lenders refuse to move the due date, or they only allow it once per year. If yours is one of them, you have other options that do not require permission.
You can make your payment early. If your due date is the 15th but you want to pay on the 1st, send the payment on the 1st. It will be credited to your account and will not be considered early or late. Your servicer will apply it to your principal and interest as normal. Making an early payment does not change your due date for future months—you still owe money on the 15th—but it gives you the flexibility to pay when your cash flow allows.
You can also set up automatic payments on a date that works for you, as long as it is before the due date. Most servicers allow you to schedule automatic payments for any day of the month. This does not change your official due date, but it ensures the payment leaves your account on a day that aligns with your paycheck or budget.
How a due date change affects your credit and payment history
Changing your due date does not affect your credit score or payment history if you are current on your mortgage. The change is purely administrative—it moves when the payment is due each month, but it does not alter your past payment record.
If you are behind on payments, changing the due date will not erase the missed payments or late fees from your credit file. Those remain on your report for seven years from the date of the missed payment. A due date change is not a solution for past-due amounts. If you are behind, contact your servicer about a loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan instead.
Once the due date change takes effect, your servicer will report your new due date to the credit bureaus. Future on-time payments will be recorded against the new date. This has no negative effect on your credit—it simply updates your account information.
When to change your due date and when to wait
Change your due date if you are current on your mortgage and the new date solves a real problem—your paycheck timing, bill clustering, or cash flow management. The best time to request the change is early in the month, so it takes effect before the next billing cycle.
Do not change your due date if you are behind on payments or if you are trying to avoid a payment you know you cannot make. A due date change will not help in either case. If you are struggling to make your mortgage payment, contact your servicer about forbearance, a loan modification, or a repayment plan. These options address the underlying problem; a due date change does not.
If you are considering a due date change because you are juggling multiple bills, that is a legitimate reason. Aligning your mortgage payment with your paycheck or other income can reduce the risk of missed payments and make your budget easier to manage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my due date if I am behind on payments?
Changing the due date will not erase past-due amounts or late fees. If you are behind, contact your servicer about a loan modification, forbearance agreement, or repayment plan. These options address the arrears directly. A due date change is only useful if you are current and want to move the date for future payments.
Will changing my due date cost me money?
Some lenders charge $15 to $50; others do it for free. Ask your servicer about the fee before you request the change. If there is a fee and you think it is unreasonable, you can ask them to waive it, though they are not required to.
How long does it take for a due date change to take effect?
Most servicers process the change within one to three billing cycles. Your servicer should tell you the exact effective date when you request the change. Until that date, continue making payments on your original due date.
Can I change my due date online?
Some lenders allow it through their online portal, but many do not. If you do not see the option in your account settings, call your servicer's payment department. They can process the request over the phone or send you a form to complete.
What if I want to pay my mortgage on a different day without officially changing the due date?
You can make payments early or set up automatic payments for any day before the due date. This does not change your official due date, but it gives you flexibility in when the payment leaves your account. Your servicer will credit the payment as normal.