Paying a provider through Bornbir

Once you've hired a provider on Bornbir, they can send you an invoice or a payment request. You pay by card on Stripe's secure checkout, and the payment shows up in your conversation for both of you.

How it works

The provider sends you an invoice. A card appears in your conversation ("[Name] sent an invoice for $500", or "[Name] requested $500" for a quick payment request) with what it's for, any due date, and any note. We also email you ("[Name] sent you an invoice for $500 — [what it's for]"). If you've verified your phone number but not your email, we text you the link instead.
Click View invoice on the card (View details for a payment request), or View invoice and pay in the email, to see the whole invoice: its number, when it was sent and is due, each item, any discount or tax, and the total. When you're ready, click Pay $500. You can also pay straight from the card in your conversation.
Stripe's checkout opens. Enter your card details and pay. You pay exactly the amount shown. (In a mobile app browser the checkout opens in Safari. Pay there and come back.)
The card in your conversation changes to "You paid $500", we email you "You paid [Name] $500 — [what it's for]", and Stripe emails your card receipt separately. The provider is told right away.

If you come back from checkout before the page has caught up, it says "Confirming your payment." It updates within a few minutes. If you left checkout without paying, nothing was charged.

After you pay

The invoice page shows "You paid [Name] $500 on [date]" with a Receipt from Stripe link. To find it again, click the paid line in your conversation, click View payment in your confirmation email, or open Account → Payments, which lists every payment you've made through Bornbir (it appears after your first payment).

If you plan to claim the cost from your insurer or HSA/FSA, your provider may be able to make you a superbill, which you download from the same invoice page. See "Getting a superbill for insurance reimbursement".

If you're done searching, close your care request too (see "Editing, closing, or re-opening your care requests").

Reminders and due dates

An invoice past its due date shows as Past due, but you can still pay it. Your provider can send you a reminder ("A reminder from [Name]: $500 — [what it's for]") by email, or by text if your email is unproven, at most once every 3 days. Unpaid invoices and requests expire 30 days after they're sent ("This invoice has expired. Ask [Name] to send a new one."). If your provider withdraws one, nothing is charged and it's removed from your conversation.

Paying without a Bornbir account

Providers also use Bornbir to invoice clients they found elsewhere. If one emails you an invoice ("[Name] sent you an invoice for $500 — [what it's for]") or sends you a link, click View invoice and pay and pay by card. You don't need a Bornbir account, and Stripe emails your receipt. Anyone with the link can see and pay that invoice, so don't share it. If you don't recognize the provider, don't pay; email support@bornbir.com.

Before you pay

Only pay for something you've agreed on with the provider. Bornbir never asks you to pay outside your conversation, and providers can't send invoices through Bornbir until Stripe has verified their identity and bank account. If an invoice doesn't match what you discussed, ask the provider about it first. They can withdraw it and send a new one.

What Bornbir does and doesn't do

Bornbir passes your payment to the provider through Stripe and keeps a small fee from the provider's side, so you pay exactly the amount on the invoice. Your agreement about services, dates, and what the payment covers is still between you and the provider. Providers can also keep arranging payment with you directly, outside Bornbir, if you both prefer.

Refunds and disputes

Ask the provider first. Refunds are issued by Bornbir on the provider's behalf, so once you've agreed, either of you can email support@bornbir.com with the provider's name and the amount. A refund appears on your card within 5–10 business days, and the payment shows as Refunded. If your card issuer opens a dispute, the payment shows as Under review; email us and we'll help sort it out.