Entity identification
Full legal entity name and EIN/TIN to uniquely identify the business for tax and vendor setup.
A correctly completed Business CO Form documents legal authority, supports compliance checks, and speeds downstream processing for contracting, payment, and regulatory reporting. Proper completion reduces disputes about who may sign on behalf of the company and establishes a clear record for auditors or tax authorities.
Organizations and individuals on both sides of a commercial relationship rely on the Business CO Form to verify corporate identity and signatory authority before entering agreements or initiating payments.
Use this form as part of onboarding, vendor setup, contracting, or as an attachment to larger transactional documents when corporate authority or tax identification must be documented.
Chief officers (CEO, CFO) or other corporate officers listed in bylaws commonly sign the Business CO Form to attest to authority and accuracy. Their signature confirms board or managerial authorization and is frequently required for bank, insurance, or large vendor agreements.
Operations, procurement, or finance staff often complete the form on behalf of the organization, gathering EIN, legal name, address, and preparing supporting documents for an officer or designated signer to review and sign.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Required fields | EIN, legal name, signer name, signature, effective date |
| Signer order | Single signer or sequential signing for multiple approvers |
| Authentication | Email plus optional SMS code or ID verification for higher assurance |
| Audit trail | Enable full event logging (IP, timestamp, actions) |
Use a platform that supports PDF/Word uploads, secure signing, and audit trails aligned with ESIGN and UETA requirements.
Choose controls (access, retention, authentication) that match your compliance obligations and internal audit requirements.
Full legal entity name and EIN/TIN to uniquely identify the business for tax and vendor setup.
Full name, title, and basis of authority (bylaws, resolution) so the recipient can confirm signing rights.
A concise declaration confirming accuracy, authority, and any limitations on signing power.
Clearly labeled signature block with date; include space for notarization if required.
Placeholders for articles of organization/incorporation, EIN confirmation, or board resolutions.
A governing state selection to identify which jurisdiction will interpret the form.
Provide completed form before first payment cycle to avoid payment delays
Collect accurate EIN/TIN ahead of year-end to ensure correct 1099 reporting
Obtain signed form prior to final contract signature when signatory authority is a precondition
If notarization required, schedule within any state-specific validity window
Start retention period from signature date unless otherwise specified
Gather formation documents, EIN confirmation, and board resolution if applicable
Obtain corporate sign-off and confirm authority to sign
Sign, notarize or use RON as required, and capture audit evidence
Store signed PDF and audit trail in secure repository per retention timeline
| Document Type | Business CO Form | Certificate of Incumbency |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | general corporate info | lists officers and signatory authorization |
| Typical attachments | ein proof | board resolution |
| Notarization | sometimes required | frequently notarized |
| Use cases | vendor setup, contract attestation | banking, large transactions |
| 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 (Premium tier) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Varies |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes (BAA) | Yes (BAA) | Yes (BAA) | No | No |
A procurement team collected completed Business CO Forms to verify EIN and remittance details before enabling payments.
A finance team provided a notarized Business CO Form plus incumbency evidence to the bank.