Last birthday wish at end of the day

Last updated: September 30, 2022

Find the best belated birthday wishes for when you have forgotten their birthday. Whether sincere or humorous, we'll help you find the right message!

Whoops! Have you forgotten a special person's birthday? Make it up by sending them a happy belated birthday message. As the saying goes, it's better late than never! Would a heartfelt apology be in order to cheer up the birthday person, or perhaps a funny wish to keep it light? You'll find the perfect belated birthday wish for every situation here.

Our huge belated birthday wishes collection includes messages for friends and family, with sections for partners (to get you out of the dog house!), brothers and sisters, and friends. We even cover how to say "happy belated birthday" in other languages! There's no excuse to miss saying happy birthday, even if you might be a little bit late!

Is it correct to say "happy belated birthday"?

You might be wondering, is it correct to wish someone a "happy belated birthday", or should you say "belated happy birthday"?

Technically, the latter phrase "belated happy birthday" is more grammatically correct because it is your wishes that are late, not the birthday. (References: Grammarly and Prof. Paul Brians.)

However, most people aren't too pedantic, and it is quite acceptable to use either phrasing. "Happy belated birthday" is commonly used, and you'll find many greeting cards in the store that use that phrasing.

We hope you like the many belated birthday wishes on this page and that you find the right words to wish your friends and family all the best, even if you're a few days late!

Short & Sweet Belated Happy Birthday Wishes

Oh dear! You've forgotten an important birthday. In this section, you'll find a mix of short and sweet, and funny belated birthday wishes to help you sincerely apologize for forgetting the date. Be sure to wish them all the best for the year ahead... even if you're a tad late!

You know what they say about birthday wishes - better late than never! Happy birthday!

Even though this is late, it's never too late to wish you the best of everything. I hope you have a brilliant year ahead!

I may have forgotten your birthday, but at least I remembered that I forgot! I'm so sorry! Sending my best belated happy birthday wishes to you!

May all your dreams come true! Wishing you a belated happy birthday!

Apologies for my belated happy birthday wishes! I hope your birthday was as special as you are!

There's a very good reason why this birthday wish is late... I forgot. I'm sorry! I hope you had a great day!

It wasn't your birthday I forgot... it was the date! I'm sorry. I hope you had a wonderful day!

Sending you the happiest of (late) birthday wishes. I'm so sorry I missed your special day! May the coming year be full of many blessings.

No excuse is good enough for missing your birthday! I am very sorry. A very (late) happy birthday to you!

Silly me! I missed your birthday! I'm so sorry. Belated happy birthday wishes to you!

I can't believe I forgot! I hope you had a really lovely birthday.

A million wishes and a thousand kisses all just for you. I'm sorry I missed your birthday. I hope it was a wonderful day!

I promise this card isn't late. It is intentionally arriving after your birth-day, because I think you deserve a whole birth-month. Happy Birth-month!

I didn't forget your birthday! I just wanted to make it last longer!

Now that everyone else's birthday wishes have worn off, here's a great big one from me!

May this be the least belated of all your belated birthday wishes!

Let me be the first to offer you belated birthday wishes!

I'm so sorry for sending you belated birthday wishes. Honestly, I didn't think you would live this long. Happy Birthday!

Funny Belated Birthday Poems

Forgetting someone's birthday can make you (or them!) feel terrible. Give them a laugh and show that you do care by sending them a funny belated birthday poem! Here's a collection of cute, short rhyming verses and poems to wish him or her a belated happy birthday.

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Here are some late
Birthday wishes for you!

Your birthday came,
Your birthday went.
Here's the wish
I should have sent!

Oh my goodness.
Me oh my!
I let your birthday
Just slip right by.

Roses are red,
Cacti are prickly,
Sorry this card didn't
Get there more quickly!

A little late I must confess,
But it doesn't mean that I care less!

So sorry for the small delay,
I do hope you had an awesome day!

Although my wishes turned up late,
I hope your birthday turned out great!

This birthday wish, although delayed,
Is warmly and sincerely made!
Happy belated birthday!

Sorry this card is
A little bit late.
I remembered your birthday,
Just not the date!

Belated Birthday Wishes for Your Partner

Eeeek! You have done the unthinkable and forgotten your beloved partner's birthday. Whether it's for your husband or wife, girlfriend or boyfriend, you can get back on track with one of these belated happy birthday messages (and maybe an extra large present!). From sincere and heartfelt belated birthday greetings to something a little cheeky to make them smile, you'll find it here.

Sweetheart! Your birthday has passed, but I want you to know that I love you and I'm so sorry for being late.

I am mortified. Words don't begin to explain how sorry I feel for forgetting your birthday. You mean so much to me, every day. Happy belated birthday to you, my love.

To the world's best {wife/husband etc}, I don't deserve you, but I count myself so very lucky to have you in my life. Happy belated birthday.

Your birthday may have passed, but please let me celebrate with you again.

Happy belated birthday my love. I know your year ahead will be amazing. Please know that I am sorry and that I love you now, always, and forever.

Happy belated birthday to you. We'll enjoy the next 12 months to the fullest together.

I am so sorry that I missed your special birthday. I want you to know that you are always on my mind and in my heart. You are the best person I know. I'm so grateful for you. Wishing you a belated happy birthday.

Oh no! I forgot your birthday. It's made me realize that a day shouldn't go by without me celebrating you anyway! Let me make it up to you.

Happy belated birthday my love. I will never disappoint you again.

Wishing you a very happy belated birthday and loads of love today and always. I'm so mad at myself for missing your birthday! Please forgive me.

Happy belated birthday to you. I hope you had a wonderful celebration. I wish you a wonderful year ahead.

Wishing you a happy belated birthday, my sweetheart. No words can express how I feel about you, I'll be sure to show you all year long. I have a lot of making up to do!

Happy belated birthday my precious {wife/husband etc}. Thank you for accepting my imperfections. I love you.

Belated happy birthday wishes to my favorite person. I love you with all my heart.

Belated Birthday Wishes for Him

You've forgotten his birthday! Whether it's for your best friend, work colleague, or any other special male in your life, a belated happy birthday message will make him feel the love.

Your birthday is over for another year, but I want you to know that I'm so sorry for being late. Next time the beers are on me.

Oh no! I hope you'll forgive me for forgetting your birthday. I'll forget when the {insert their favorite sports team} lose, and not mention it, just to make it up to you!

Happy belated birthday. I just didn't want to remind you that you're getting older... honest!

Happy belated birthday. I am very sorry that your birthday message arrived late this year. Cheers to an awesome year ahead.

How on earth did I miss your birthday?! You're clearly looking older. Jokes! I hope you had a great day.

It wasn't part of the plan to send a late birthday wish. I hope you understand. Best wishes buddy!

I know you like to draw out your birthday celebrations as long as possible! So happy belated birthday!

Technically, in Hawaii, it's still your birthday {if only a few hours late}! Wishing you happiness and health for the year ahead.

I feel terrible that I am late wishing you a happy birthday. Let me take you out for a burger and beer to celebrate/commiserate.

Belated Birthday Wishes for Her

Have you forgotten her birthday? Whether it's for your best friend, work colleague, or your favorite aunt, one of these sincere belated happy birthday messages will help to smooth things over with her.

Happy Birthday! Sorry this message is late. I want to celebrate your birthday 2.0 with you. The cocktails are on me!

Whoopsie! I missed your birthday. I'll be sure to celebrate with you soon. After all, you are {insert age here} years old all year long.

I want to wish you a happy belated birthday and give you my sincere apologies and all the chocolate you could ever dream of.

Happy belated birthday to you and cheers to a fabulous year to come.

To one of my favorite humans - sending you sincere belated birthday wishes. I hope you had a wonderful day.

Sending very happy and belated birthday wishes to you! I'm thankful that you're in my life. I hope that you have an amazing year ahead of you.

I'm sorry that I lost track of your birthday. We both know I am often unsure of which day of the week it is! I hope you had a wonderful day, regardless of my forgetfulness.

I know that you will have had a day of special wishes yesterday. Today, I am wishing you a very happy belated birthday. No need to thank me for keeping the celebration going!

I am so sorry I missed your special day. I've now put your birthday in my reminders, so I will never miss it again! Happy belated birthday.

Belated Birthday Wishes for Friends

Uh oh! You forgot your friend's birthday? Make it up to him or her with one of these belated happy birthday messages, and rescue your friendship while it's not too late!

These first messages are more sincere and heartfelt belated birthday greetings, where you apologize for your lateness and wish them all the best!

HBBD! That stands for Happy Belated Birthday! Love, YTDF (Your Terribly Disorganized Friend).

I hope that your birthday was as wonderful and special as you are. Sorry for my late birthday wishes!

A very late happy birthday to you, may all your wishes and dreams come true!

I wish I could rewind the clock just to get back to the right time to say happy birthday. Please forgive me! I hope you had a great day.

I'm so sorry I forgot your birthday. The good news is that if you forget mine next year, I'll forgive you. Happy Belated Birthday!

These next late birthday wishes for friends are funny and sassy, and try to diffuse the situation you've got yourself into!

Happy Birthday! (Leave it to me to say the right thing at the wrong time.) I hope you had a good one!

I'm so sorry I forgot your birthday. But hey, at least I didn't forget that I forgot. Happy belated birthday!

Sorry I missed your birthday! But you know me, always fashionably late. Belated happy birthday wishes to you!

Happy Birthday! Don't think of this as a late birthday card. Consider it a very early one for next year. Here's wishing you a wonderful year ahead!

Happy Birthday to a warm, understanding, kind, fun, and special friend. (See? Wasn't that worth waiting for?)

I didn't really forget your birthday... I just wanted to help you prolong the celebrations! Happy belated birthday!

I didn't really forget your special day... I just figured you deserved more than one. Happy Belated Birthday!

I know you think this card is a few days late. It's actually worse than that. This is your card from 2015 that I only just got around to sending. Happy Belated Birthday!

You're such a good friend with lots of wonderful gifts - lucky for me, one of them is forgiveness! Sorry I missed your big day.

Sure, everyone remembers you on your birthday. But a true friend remembers you on the days after too!

I didn't want to throw you off and actually send your card on time. This way, you know it's from me! Hope you had a good one.

I thought I would leave you a while to come to terms with your age before sending your birthday card this year. You're welcome. Happy Belated Birthday!

I know this card is late, but I just wanted to give you time to catch your breath after blowing out ALL of those candles!

I know birthday wishes are extra special, but so is getting mail and cards on any day. So I'm sending you some extra special late birthday wishes your way to be enjoyed on this non-birthday day!

I am so grateful to have a friend such as you, who is loving and forgiving, and not forgetful, like me! Happy late birthday wishes to you!

Holy Cow, I forgot your birthday! Happy belated birthday. I am udderly ashamed of myself.

Belated Birthday Wishes for your Brother

Oh no, you missed your brother's birthday? Make it up to him with one of these late birthday wishes, and get back into his good books! These messages could also be adapted for your male cousins too.

Sorry I forgot your birthday. But at your age, I don't suppose it matters? Happy belated birthday old bro!

I would move the sun and moon, turn back the clock for you. But violating the laws of physics seemed like overkill, so here's your card late. Happy Birthday bro!

I know I'm late wishing you a happy birthday, but mine is coming around soon, and revenge is sweet. I won't mind, promise! Happy Birthday bro!

Technically I didn't *forget* your birthday... I just didn't remember it on time! Sorry!

How about we both just pretend that this was on time? Happy birthday!

I know you received so many birthday wishes yesterday, but who's here with you today? That's right! Me. Happy Birthday bro!

Oh crap! I missed your birthday! I wish I had a great excuse like I was busy saving the world or something, but unfortunately not. I hope it was a good one!

Apologies for my time perception disorder. Belated happy birthday!

I know I missed your birthday, but I promise I won't do it again this year! Happy late birthday wishes to you!

If you were born just a few days later, then these could have been the first wishes on your birthday! But sadly not. Sorry they're late happy birthday wishes!

Forgive me for wishing you a belated happy birthday. I didn't realize people live to such an old age, I had assumed you were dead. Happy birthday elder brother!

Looking for more birthday quotes for your brother? Take a look at our birthday wishes for brothers page.

Belated Birthday Wishes for Your Sister

A collection of mostly funny late birthday wishes that try to justify why your birthday wishes are belated! Good luck, and I hope you get back in her good books soon!

These messages could also be altered slightly to wish a female cousin a belated happy birthday too.

Happy Belated Birthday sis! I'm so sorry I forgot to write earlier, but how do you expect me to remember your birthday if you never look any older?

I'm so sorry I forgot your birthday. The good news is that I also forgot your age. Happy Belated Birthday sister!

You probably get lots of messages on your birthday. But what about after? When the balloons have withered, and the cake has crumbled? Who's thinking of you then? Who's looking out for you when the spotlight's off? I am, that's who. Me. Happy Birthday, sister!

I don't think you have changed much since your last birthday. You are just as young & beautiful as you were last year. Maybe that is the reason why I forgot your birthday this year? Happy birthday my dear sister!

You do realize I didn't technically "forget" your birthday? I'm just fashionably late... as usual. Happy Birthday dearest sister!

The biggest surprise is always the last one. Not wishing you on time was totally intentional. I just wanted to give you a surprise. Happy belated birthday sister!

A late birthday card is better than a late period. Happy belated birthday to you!

If someone forgets your birthday, take it as a compliment. You must not have aged enough for them to have noticed. Happy belated birthday sister!

I'm not really that late in wishing you a happy birthday, it's just that I didn't want to be the first one to remind you that you're getting older. Happy Birthday, sister!

Now that we are getting so much older, I really hope that you forget that I forgot your big day! Belated happy birthday wishes from one oldie to another!

Looking for more birthday quotes for sisters? Take a look at our birthday wishes for sister page.

Belated Birthday Wishes in Spanish

¡Ay, caramba! Are you wondering how do you wish someone a happy belated birthday in Spanish? Here are some options:

Feliz cumpleaños atrasado. (Happy belated birthday)

Feliz cumpleaños tardío. (Happy late birthday)

Feliz cumpleaños aunque sea con retraso. (Happy birthday, even if late.)

Feliz cumpleaños aunque sea un poco tarde. (Happy birthday, even if it's a bit late.)

Belated Birthday Wishes Images

In this collection you'll find a mix of cute, funny, and sincere belated birthday gifs and images with wishes and quotes, so you can apologize in style!

Sorry this card is a little bit late. I remembered your birthday, just not the date!

I'm so sorry I forgot your birthday. The good news is that I also forgot your age! Happy Belated Birthday.

You know what they say about birthday wishes - better late than never! Happy birthday!

Now that everyone else's birthday wishes have worn off, here's a great big one from me! Happy belated birthday.

Holy Cow, I forgot your birthday! I am udderly ashamed of myself. Happy belated birthday.

Happy Birthday! May these be the least belated of all your late birthday wishes!

Even though this is late, it's never too late to wish you the best of everything. I hope you have a brilliant year ahead! Happy Birthday.

I know this card is late, but I just wanted to give you time to catch your breath after blowing out ALL of those candles!

Your birthday came,
your birthday went.
Here's the wish
I should have sent!
Happy Belated Birthday!

Happy Belated Birthday! (Leave it to me to say the right thing at the wrong time... sorry!)

Free Printable Birthday Cards

Free printable birthday cards in high quality PDF format that you can print and fold at home. There are also some color-in printable cards, perfect for kids who want to create a unique birthday card for family and friends.

Click here to go to Free Printable Birthday Cards

More Belated Birthday Wishes and Ideas

Still looking for just the right message? Maye you want a message for a particular birthday year, or an extra funny message? Find the perfect late birthday wishes on one of these pages:

30th B'day 40th B'day 50th B'day 60th B'day Birthday Wishes Funny Images Quotes Wife Husband Friends Mom Dad Auntie Sister Brother Daughter Son Bible Verse Birthday Prayers