Do you have to pay for Second life?

No, the basic game mode in Second Life is free. You will have to pay for a premium account or to buy new clothes, or change hair and skin tone colors if you want them.

To get around this, create a pay pal account, but don't credit it. This allows you to get through sign up. Be ready to contact Second Life's creators if you have problems. They were very helpful when I had trouble signing up.