> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.clickpesa.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# FAQ

> Frequently Asked Questions about BillPay Control Numbers

[Where can I find the endpoint to create an Order BillPay Control Number?](#)

**A:** You can now create an **Order BillPay Control Number via the [BillPay API](/api-reference/collection/billpay/create-order-control-number)**.

* **API Generation:** Provides flexibility to specify:
  * Amount to be paid
  * Payment mode (full, partial, or over)
  * Bill description
  * Custom reference (used as the customer-facing control number)
  * If no custom reference is provided, ClickPesa will auto-generate one.
* **Offline / Manual Generation:** You can also generate an Order BillPay Control Number on your side by combining your Merchant BillPay-Namba with a unique order reference from your system. This method is quick for offline or manual invoicing.

When a customer pays using the control number, ClickPesa routes the payment to your account and sends a **webhook notification** containing the full BillPay number and payment details.

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[If a client is given a control number for 1,000,000/= but pays only 500,000/=, will the payment go through?](#)

**A:** Yes. Partial payments are accepted **if enabled** during API creation.

* You'll be notified of the amount received via **webhook**, **email**, and **dashboard notifications**.

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[Can the same control number be used to pay the remaining balance later?](#)

**A:** It depends on the type of BillPay control number:

* **Order BillPay Control Number** – **No**
  * Designed for one-time, specific transactions.
  * Once paid (even partially), it is **closed** or marked **fulfilled**.
  * If partial payments are allowed, the system will reflect the partial amount, but the number is still considered closed.

* **Customer BillPay Control Number** – **Yes**
  * Designed for ongoing or repeat payments from the same customer.
  * Can receive multiple payments.
  * Ideal for **partial, recurring, or subscription payments**.
  * You can also create **multiple numbers per customer**, each tied to a different bill or purpose.

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[What's the lifespan of the Order BillPay Control Number?](#)

**A:** An **Order BillPay Control Number** remains **valid until it is paid** or manually closed.

* **Designed for one-time payments:** Order BillPay Control Numbers are created for specific transactions or invoices and are intended to be used once.
* **No automatic expiration:** The control number does not expire automatically if unpaid—it remains active and can accept payments until it is fulfilled or closed.
* **Closes automatically once processed:** Once a payment is received (even if partial or failed), the Order BillPay Control Number is automatically **closed** or marked as **fulfilled** and cannot be reused.
* **Best practice:** For time-sensitive invoices or orders, consider implementing your own expiration logic in your system and generating new control numbers when needed.

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[What's the lifespan of the Customer BillPay Control Number?](#)

**A:** A **Customer BillPay Control Number** is a **static, permanent number** that remains **active indefinitely** until manually deactivated or removed.

* **Designed for recurring payments:** Customer BillPay Control Numbers are created for ongoing relationships with customers and are intended for multiple transactions over time.
* **No expiration:** Unlike Order BillPay Control Numbers, Customer BillPay Control Numbers do **not expire** and do **not close automatically** after payment.
* **Reusable for multiple payments:** The same Customer BillPay Control Number can be used repeatedly for **partial, recurring, or subscription payments** from the same customer.
* **Multiple numbers per customer:** You can create **multiple Customer BillPay Control Numbers** for the same customer, each tied to a different bill or purpose (e.g., tuition, fees, pocket money).
* **Manual management:** You can deactivate or remove Customer BillPay Control Numbers through the API when they are no longer needed.

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[Can I assign multiple Customer BillPay Control Numbers to a single customer?](#)

**A:** Yes. Each customer can have **multiple Customer BillPay Control Numbers**, allowing you to manage different bills (e.g., tuition, fees, pocket money) independently. Each number can accept multiple payments and be tracked separately.

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[Can I specify customer details and bill descriptions when creating a control number via API?](#)

**A:** Yes. When creating **Customer or Order BillPay Control Numbers via API**, you can:

* Provide the **customer name** (for Customer numbers)
* Add a **bill description**
* Set payment amount and mode
* Provide a **custom reference** or let ClickPesa auto-generate one
  This improves reconciliation and reporting, especially for recurring or batch payments.

***