Are electronic signatures legally valid?

Yes. Under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act adopted in most states, properly executed electronic signatures have the same legal effect as handwritten ones, subject to statutory exceptions such as wills and certain court filings.

When is notarization required?

Notarization is not generally required for commercial contracts but may be needed for specific instruments (deeds, some POAs) or for recording; check the document type and state rules before executing.

Can I use remote online notarization?

Many states permit RON with identity proofing and recorded audiovisual sessions; state rules vary—Virginia and other states permit permanent RON while some states maintain separate processes.

What authentication strength is appropriate?

Use email or SMS for low-risk matters; require multi-factor or identity-proofing (KBA) for higher-risk contracts, financial transactions, or when regulators require stronger signer identity evidence.

How long should I retain executed agreements?

Keep for the contract term plus an additional retention period: at least 3 years for tax records (IRC §6501(a)), 6 years for healthcare records under HIPAA (45 CFR §164.530(j)), and longer if state or industry rules require it.

Does signNow meet compliance needs for sensitive agreements?

signNow supports AES-256 encryption, TLS 1.2/1.3, SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, and offers HIPAA compliance with a BAA; select plan and configuration that match your regulatory obligations.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Business Agreement NBA

Business Agreement NBA

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

BUSINESS AGREEMENT NBA

Parties and Effective Date

This Business Agreement NBA (the Agreement) is entered into as of Effective Date: by and between:

Party A (First Party) - Legal Entity Name Party A Address Party A Contact (Name, Phone, Email) Party B (Second Party) - Legal Entity Name Party B Address Party B Contact (Name, Phone, Email)

Recitals

WHEREAS, Party A is engaged in the business of providing certain professional services and possesses expertise and resources relevant to the objectives described in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Party B desires to retain Party A to perform services under the terms and conditions set forth below, and Party A agrees to perform such services for Party B in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the parties intend that this Agreement set forth the entire understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

Scope of Work

Party A shall perform the services and deliverables described below in a professional and workmanlike manner consistent with industry standards:

Description of Services and Deliverables

Payment Terms

In consideration of the services performed by Party A, Party B shall pay Party A as set forth below. All payments shall be made in U.S. dollars unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Total Agreement Amount Payment Schedule Payment Due (Net Days) Late Payment Fee Invoicing Instructions

Term and Termination

This Agreement commences on Start Date: and continues until End Date: unless earlier terminated as provided herein.

Termination Notice Period (Days) Termination for Cause and Effect

Confidentiality

Each party (the Receiving Party) shall hold in strict confidence all non-public, confidential or proprietary information disclosed by the other party (the Disclosing Party), whether marked confidential or not, including but not limited to business plans, trade secrets, technical information, financial data, and client lists (Confidential Information). The Receiving Party shall not disclose, publish, or disseminate Confidential Information to any third party except as required for performance under this Agreement or as required by law, and shall use at least the same degree of care to protect Confidential Information as it uses to protect its own confidential information, but in no event less than a reasonable degree of care.

Confidential Information does not include information that: (a) is or becomes generally available to the public other than through a breach of this Agreement; (b) is or was lawfully received from a third party without restriction; or (c) is independently developed by the Receiving Party without use of the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information. Upon termination, the Receiving Party shall return or destroy the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information as directed in writing.

Representations; Warranties; Indemnity

Each party represents and warrants that it has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement. Party A warrants that services will be provided in a professional manner consistent with industry standards. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, all other warranties, express or implied, are disclaimed to the fullest extent permitted by law. Each party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the other party from claims, liabilities or expenses arising from its breach of this Agreement or its negligence or willful misconduct.

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of , without regard to conflict of law principles. The parties shall first seek to resolve disputes through good faith negotiation. If unresolved, disputes shall be resolved by binding arbitration or litigation as selected by the parties in the space below:

Dispute Resolution Method

Entire Agreement; Amendments

This Agreement, including all Schedules and attachments expressly incorporated herein, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, proposals, negotiations and communications, whether written or oral. No amendment or modification shall be effective unless in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

Notices

All notices required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered to the contact information provided above or to such other address as a party may designate in writing. Notices are effective upon receipt when delivered personally, by nationally recognized overnight courier, or by certified mail, return receipt requested.

Miscellaneous

If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect. No waiver by either party of any breach shall constitute a waiver of any other or subsequent breach. Neither party may assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other, except to a successor in interest by merger or sale of substantially all assets.

Party A - Printed Name:

By:

Title:

Date:

Party B - Printed Name:

By:

Title:

Date:

What the Business Agreement NBA is and when it applies

The Business Agreement NBA is a contract template used to record negotiated commercial terms among business parties, covering parties, scope, payment, timelines, confidentiality, liability, and dispute-resolution mechanics. It can serve as a standalone binding contract when executed with all required signatures and any jurisdictional formalities. This guide explains the template’s structure, the data needed to complete it, electronic signing and notarization options under U.S. law, and steps to preserve enforceability and record retention for audits or regulatory review.

Why use the Business Agreement NBA in your transactions

A clear Business Agreement NBA reduces ambiguity, documents mutual expectations, and supplies evidence for performance or disputes. Proper completion preserves rights, supports enforcement in court or arbitration, and helps satisfy tax, employment, or healthcare compliance obligations when relevant.

Who typically uses the Business Agreement NBA

Use this template when parties want a concise adaptable business contract that can be signed electronically or on paper.

Small businesses and startups standardizing client or vendor terms.
In-house legal teams and outside counsel managing routine contract templates and redlines.
Independent contractors and consultants documenting scopes, rates, deliverables, and timelines.

The template supports standardization across teams, reducing review cycles and clarifying responsibilities before work or payment begins.

Essential sections to include in a professional Business Agreement NBA

A complete Business Agreement NBA groups core obligations and protections so parties can assess risk and performance quickly while meeting legal standards for enforceability.

Parties

Identify each contracting entity with full legal name, entity type, and primary business address to avoid ambiguity and ensure enforceability against the correct legal entity.

Scope

Describe deliverables, milestones, and acceptance criteria in measurable terms; attach exhibits for specifications, schedules, or rates to reduce later disputes.

Payment Terms

State currency, amount, invoicing frequency, payment method, and late fees; specify tax responsibilities and any withholding or backup withholding triggers.

Confidentiality

Define confidential information, permitted uses, exclusions, duration, and remedies for breach, including any carve-outs required by industry regulation or client policies.

Termination

Set termination triggers, notice periods, cure rights, and post-termination obligations such as final payments, return of materials, and transition assistance.

Governing Law

Specify the governing state law and forum for disputes; this choice affects interpretation, statute of limitations, and procedural rules.

Required information and compliance checkpoints

Legal Names: Full legal entity name

Addresses: Street, city, state, ZIP

Tax IDs: TIN or EIN as applicable

Effective Date: MM/DD/YYYY format

Signatures: Signatory name and title

Security: AES-256 at rest, TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit

Step-by-step: completing and executing the Business Agreement NBA

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, review, and execute the Business Agreement NBA, whether using paper or an electronic signature workflow.

01

Prepare Document: Populate parties, scope, dates, and payment fields before review.
02

Internal Review: Have legal or procurement review terms and assign risk owners.
03

External Negotiation: Exchange redlines and confirm final text with all parties.
04

Execute and Archive: Obtain signatures, record audit trail, and store final copy securely.

Typical e-signing flow for the Business Agreement NBA

A standard e-sign workflow moves the document from sender to signers, verifies identity, captures signatures, and produces an audit trail for the completed Business Agreement NBA.

Upload Document: Sender uploads final PDF or DOCX to the signing platform.
Assign Fields: Place signature, initial, date, and data fields for each signer.
Authenticate Signer: Apply email, SMS code, or stronger authentication as required.
Capture Audit Trail: System records timestamps, IPs, and actions for evidence.

Configuring an online workflow for execution and storage

Set up routing, authentication, and storage rules so executed Business Agreement NBA files are retained securely and are discoverable for audits.

Workflow Step	Configuration
Signer Order	Sequential or parallel routing per contract roles
Authentication Level	Email, SMS OTP, or KBA for higher-risk contracts
Retention Location	Secure cloud repository with access controls
Notifications	Email reminders and status updates to participants

Digital signing and integration considerations

Choose a signing platform that meets your authentication, audit trail, and integration needs before routing Business Agreement NBA documents.

Authentication: Support for email, SMS, or stronger KBA
Integrations: Connectors to CRM, ERP, or cloud storage
File Formats: Accepts PDF, DOCX, and generates audit reports

eSignature vendor pricing and feature snapshot for executing the Business Agreement NBA

Overview of common eSignature pricing and capabilities relevant to signing Business Agreement NBA documents; signNow appears first for parity and direct comparison.

	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 free trial	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Yes (Business Premium)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Key risks and penalties from incorrect or incomplete agreements

Unenforceable Contract: Missing essential terms can render the agreement unenforceable

Tax Penalties: Incorrect reporting may trigger IRC §6721 fines

I-9 Violations: Improper recordkeeping risks DHS enforcement

Notary Defect: Incorrect notarization can invalidate recorded instruments

Breach Liability: Poorly defined obligations increase litigation exposure

Privacy Violations: Failure to protect PHI may violate HIPAA rules

Common preparation mistakes to avoid

Leaving party names or capacities vague, which complicates enforcement and bank or tax verification.
Using undefined payment formulas or ambiguous milestones that invite disputes over completion or invoicing.
Failing to specify governing law and dispute venue, producing jurisdictional fights in litigation.
Assuming e-signature acceptance without adding ESIGN/UETA-consent language for consumer-facing transactions.

Key deadlines and time-sensitive obligations to track

Track contract dates, statutory filing windows, and internal notice periods to maintain compliance and avoid penalties.

Effective Date:

Date entered as MM/DD/YYYY starts obligations and limitation periods

Renewal Notice:

Contractual notice periods commonly set at 30 days or as specified

1099-NEC Deadline:

Issue to recipient and IRS by Jan 31 for reportable nonemployee compensation

I-9 Retention:

Retain for 3 years after hire or 1 year after termination, whichever later (8 CFR §274a.2)

Tax Filing:

Individual returns due April 15; extensions alter filing but not payment dates

Real-world examples of the Business Agreement NBA in use

These customer examples show how organizations use eSign and standardized templates to speed execution and maintain compliance.

Optica Ventures

Optica used the template to standardize client contracts and reduce turnaround time.

The interface simplified signatures across devices.
The team reported easier external collaboration and a more consistent contract lifecycle for audits and billing reconciliation.

Martin Properties

A property services firm adopted the Business Agreement NBA for vendor and tenant arrangements.

Mobile signing supported on-site execution.
The firm processed agreements fully online with audit trails and found execution reliable across devices without needing in-person meetings.

FAQs — Practical answers for common execution and compliance questions

Answers to frequent questions about enforceability, notarization, electronic signing, and recordkeeping for the Business Agreement NBA.

Need help? Contact support

Are electronic signatures legally valid?
Yes. Under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act adopted in most states, properly executed electronic signatures have the same legal effect as handwritten ones, subject to statutory exceptions such as wills and certain court filings.
When is notarization required?
Notarization is not generally required for commercial contracts but may be needed for specific instruments (deeds, some POAs) or for recording; check the document type and state rules before executing.
Can I use remote online notarization?
Many states permit RON with identity proofing and recorded audiovisual sessions; state rules vary—Virginia and other states permit permanent RON while some states maintain separate processes.
What authentication strength is appropriate?
Use email or SMS for low-risk matters; require multi-factor or identity-proofing (KBA) for higher-risk contracts, financial transactions, or when regulators require stronger signer identity evidence.
How long should I retain executed agreements?
Keep for the contract term plus an additional retention period: at least 3 years for tax records (IRC §6501(a)), 6 years for healthcare records under HIPAA (45 CFR §164.530(j)), and longer if state or industry rules require it.
Does signNow meet compliance needs for sensitive agreements?
signNow supports AES-256 encryption, TLS 1.2/1.3, SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, and offers HIPAA compliance with a BAA; select plan and configuration that match your regulatory obligations.

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