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Authorized Signatory Agreement

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AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY AGREEMENT

This Authorized Signatory Agreement ("Agreement") is made as of by and between Company Name: , a business organized as Corporation  LLC  Partnership  Other, and Authorized Agent: , whose principal address is .

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company requires certain officers, employees or agents to execute documents, contracts, instruments, and transactions on behalf of the Company in the ordinary course of its business; and

WHEREAS, the Authorized Agent represents that the Agent possesses the experience, authority and resources necessary to perform the duties described in this Agreement and desires to be designated as an authorized signatory for the Company for the limited purposes set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, the parties wish to set forth the scope, limitations and procedures governing such authority.

NOW, THEREFORE

In consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. APPOINTMENT AND SCOPE OF AUTHORITY

1.1 Appointment. The Company hereby appoints the Authorized Agent as an authorized signatory on behalf of the Company, solely to the extent and subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, and the Authorized Agent accepts such appointment.

1.2 Permitted Authority. The Authorized Agent is authorized to execute and deliver the following categories of instruments and documents on behalf of the Company (select all that apply and specify limitations in Section 1.4):

Execute commercial contracts and purchase orders
Sign financial documents, checks or payment authorizations up to the monetary limit set forth below
Execute legal instruments, affidavits or certifications as expressly delegated by the Company
Other (describe in list below)

1.4 Exclusions. The Authorized Agent shall not, without prior written approval from an officer of the Company, (a) enter into or modify material long-term contracts; (b) commit the Company to mergers, acquisitions, disposals or financing arrangements; or (c) delegate the authority granted herein to a third party.

2. TERM; TERMINATION; REVOCATION

2.1 Term. This Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue until terminated in accordance with this Agreement.

2.2 Termination. Either party may terminate this Agreement upon thirty (30) days' written notice to the other party. Termination shall not affect obligations or instruments executed prior to the effective date of termination unless expressly agreed in writing by the Company.

2.3 Immediate Revocation. The Company may revoke the Authorized Agent’s authority immediately for cause, including fraud, material breach of this Agreement, or violation of law. Revocation shall be effective upon written notice to the Authorized Agent.

3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

3.1 Company Representations. The Company represents and warrants that: (a) it is duly organized and validly existing; (b) this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action; and (c) any instrument signed by the Authorized Agent within the scope of this Agreement and in compliance with its terms will be binding on the Company.

3.2 Agent Representations. The Authorized Agent represents and warrants that: (a) the information provided to the Company is true and complete; (b) the Agent will act only within the scope of authority granted; and (c) the Agent will comply with applicable law and Company policies when exercising authority under this Agreement.

4. INDEMNIFICATION

4.1 Indemnity by Agent. The Authorized Agent shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company, its officers, directors and employees from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of the Agent's negligent or willful breach of this Agreement or acts outside the scope of authority granted hereunder.

4.2 Indemnity by Company. The Company shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Authorized Agent for liabilities arising out of actions taken in good faith within the scope of authority granted by this Agreement.

5. CONFIDENTIALITY

The Authorized Agent shall keep confidential all non-public information obtained as a result of serving as an authorized signatory, and shall not disclose such information except as required by law or with the Company's prior written consent. This obligation survives termination of this Agreement for a period of two (2) years.

6. COMPLIANCE WITH LAW AND POLICY

The Authorized Agent shall comply with all federal, state and local laws, regulations and Company policies applicable to the exercise of authority under this Agreement, including but not limited to anti-corruption, anti-money laundering and internal approval policies.

7. NOTICES

All notices, demands or other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses below by personal delivery, certified mail (return receipt requested), or nationally recognized overnight courier, and shall be effective upon receipt.

8. AMENDMENTS; WAIVER

No amendment to this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both parties. No failure or delay by either party in exercising any right under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of that right, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right preclude any other or further exercise of that right.

9. COUNTERPARTS; ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument. A facsimile or electronic copy (including PDF) of a signature shall be deemed an original for all purposes.

10. GOVERNING LAW; ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SEVERABILITY

10.1 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state specified below without regard to principles of conflicts of law.

10.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, whether written or oral.

10.3 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

11. MISCELLANEOUS

The parties acknowledge that each has had an opportunity to consult with counsel and that the terms of this Agreement shall be interpreted fairly and not strictly for or against either party. Headings are for convenience only and shall not affect interpretation.

Company:

By:

Date:

Authorized Agent:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What an Authorized Signatory Agreement Is

An Authorized Signatory Agreement is a written instrument that identifies individuals empowered to sign contracts and other binding documents on behalf of an organization. It typically sets scope limits, effective and expiration dates, signature formats, and any required approvals or conditions. In U.S. commercial and regulatory contexts, the agreement clarifies who can legally bind the entity, supports internal control and audit trails, and is commonly paired with board resolutions or corporate minutes to evidence authority for third parties and regulators.

Why documenting signing authority matters

A clear Authorized Signatory Agreement reduces disputes about who can bind the organization, speeds contract acceptance, and creates documentary evidence for auditors and counterparties. It also helps demonstrate that electronic signatures were given knowingly under ESIGN (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and applicable state law.

Why documenting signing authority matters

Organizations and roles that commonly use this agreement

Typical users include corporate officers, finance teams, procurement managers, general counsel, and authorized agents of LLCs, nonprofits, and public entities.

  • Corporate officers who execute contracts, loans, and financial instruments on behalf of a company.
  • Procurement and vendor managers who need delegated authority to approve purchases and supplier agreements.
  • Legal or compliance teams that document limits, revocations, and conditions for external reliance.

Use this agreement when counterparties ask for proof of signing authority or when you centralize signing responsibilities to reduce risk.

Typical signatory profiles

CEO / CFO

Senior executives often appear as named signatories with broad authority. Their role typically requires board authorization or corporate resolution; organizations should record limits, thresholds, and any requirement for countersignatures to ensure enforceability and internal controls.

Authorized Agent

A designated employee or external agent (procurement manager, controller, or outside counsel) may be granted restricted, task‑specific signing power. The agreement should state scope, maximum dollar amounts, duration, and procedures for revocation to prevent unauthorized commitments.

Core elements to include in a professional agreement

A well-drafted Authorized Signatory Agreement is concise but precise, balancing clear authority language with safeguards such as limits, notice provisions, and recordkeeping obligations.

Scope

Describe the types of documents the signatory may execute (contracts, NDAs, financial instruments) and any exclusions to avoid overbroad authority that could expose the organization.

Limits

State monetary caps, term limits, project or department boundaries, and whether counterparty approvals or countersignatures are required for certain transactions.

Effective Dates

Specify the agreement's effective date, expiration or review schedule, and whether authority survives organizational changes such as mergers or reorganizations.

Signature Format

Define accepted signature methods (handwritten, electronic) and any authentication level required for e-signatures to meet ESIGN/UETA standards and internal policy.

Revocation

Include how the organization withdraws authority, notice procedures to third parties, and any obligations to return or nullify physical/digital signature tokens.

Recordkeeping

Identify where executed originals or electronic records will be stored, retention periods, and which party maintains audit trails and certificates of completion.

Step-by-step: preparing and executing the agreement

Follow these four steps to prepare and finalize an Authorized Signatory Agreement efficiently.

  • 01
    Prepare draft: Gather resolution, formation, and ID documents.
  • 02
    Confirm authority: Verify corporate minutes or board approval.
  • 03
    Execute: Sign using agreed method and authentication.
  • 04
    File and distribute: Store originals and share certified copies with stakeholders.

How execution and distribution normally flow

A typical execution workflow routes the agreement from drafter to signatory, then to recordkeeping and counterparties.

  • Drafting: Legal or admin prepares the agreement.
  • Internal approval: Board or delegate confirms authority.
  • Signing: Designated signer signs electronically or on paper.
  • Retention: Store executed copy in records repository.

Configuring an online signing workflow

Key digital settings ensure consistent execution, evidence capture, and secure distribution when using an eSignature platform.

Field detection Auto-detect signature, date, and name fields for faster setup.
Authentication method Choose email link, SMS code, or stronger KBA/SSO per risk profile.
Signature type Allow simple e-signatures or require PKI/digital signatures where mandated.
Notifications Enable reminders and completion alerts for stakeholders.
Template storage Save as a template with conditional fields for repeated use.

Technical considerations for electronic execution

Choose a platform that supports required authentication, audit trails, integrations, and file formats for your workflow.

  • Authentication: Email, SMS, KBA, or SSO options.
  • Audit Trail: IP, timestamp, and action log.
  • Formats & Integrations: PDF, DOCX; CRM and cloud storage.

Representative eSignature pricing and capability comparison

Compare common pricing points and core capabilities across leading eSignature vendors; signNow appears first per platform comparison conventions.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Essential data and evidence to capture

Signer Name: Full legal name
Title: Official capacity
Entity: Registered legal entity name
Date: Execution date (MM/DD/YYYY)
Signature Method: E-signature type or wet signature
Audit Trail: IP, timestamp, and authentication

Common legal and operational risks

Contract voiding: Third parties may challenge authority
Financial exposure: Unauthorized commitments can create liability
Regulatory fines: Noncompliance can trigger penalties
Reputational harm: Unauthorized deals damage trust
Operational delay: Disputes slow transactions
Record gaps: Missing evidence complicates audits

Frequent mistakes that cause rework or disputes

  • Failing to attach or reference the corporate resolution that delegates authority leads to counterparty insistence on additional proof.
  • Using vague capacity language such as 'authorized representative' without confirming the signer's corporate title or scope invites challenges.
  • Not specifying whether electronic signatures are accepted or what authentication is required often forces wet signatures or notarization.
  • Omitting revocation procedures or failing to notify counterparties after authority changes leaves old signers able to bind the organization.

Real examples of documented signing authority in practice

These concise case examples show how organizations use Authorized Signatory Agreements to streamline signing and reduce friction.

Optica Ventures (Brian Fitzgibbons)

Optica established named signatories to standardize execution on investor documents and leases.

  • The interface simplified execution across devices.
  • "The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers." The documented authority reduced follow‑up questions and shortened deal cycles.

Fertility Centers of Illinois (John Butler)

The organization adopted signed authority matrices for clinical and administrative agreements.

  • Improved flexibility for mobile and offline signing.
  • John Butler noted strong support for integrations and compliance; central records and clear authority reduced administrative bottlenecks for patient and vendor agreements.

Practical deadlines and timing expectations

Authorized Signatory Agreements themselves rarely carry statutory filing deadlines, but related tasks follow common internal and regulatory timelines.

Internal approval turnaround:

Allow 3–10 business days for board review in typical workflows

Counterparty response:

Expect 2–7 business days for external acceptance or requests

Notarization window:

Schedule same‑day notary for time‑sensitive transactions

Record upload:

Upload executed copies within 24–72 hours to repository

Periodic review:

Review delegations annually or upon leadership change

Frequently asked questions about Authorized Signatory Agreements

Answers address enforceability, electronic execution, revocation, and practical evidence to minimize legal and operational risk.


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