Is an e-signed contract enforceable?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA in most states, provided intent, consent, attribution, and retention are established.

When is notarization required?

Notarization is required for certain document types (real estate conveyances, some affidavits). Check state recording rules; notary acknowledgement is generally required for deeds.

Do I need a HIPAA addendum?

If the contract involves protected health information, include a Business Associate Agreement and follow HIPAA retention and security rules (45 CFR §164.530(j)).

What happens if a signer uses a different legal name?

Name mismatches can impair enforceability and tax reporting; ensure signer names match government ID or formation records to avoid attribution disputes.

Can remote online notarization (RON) be used?

RON is permitted in most states with specific identity-proofing and recordkeeping requirements; verify your state notary commission rules before relying on RON.

How long should I keep the executed contract?

Retain active agreements for their term plus at least three years; follow IRS rules (IRC §6501(a)) and industry-specific rules such as HIPAA six-year retention.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Business Service SM Contract

Business Service SM Contract

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

Business Service SM Contract

This Business Service SM Contract (the Agreement) is entered into by and between Client Name: and Service Provider Name: with an Effective Date of .

Recitals

WHEREAS, Client desires to retain Provider to perform certain business services described herein and Provider represents that it has the skill and expertise to perform such services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the parties wish to set forth the scope, payment terms, confidentiality obligations, and other terms governing their business relationship.

Scope of Work

Provider shall perform the services described below (the Services). Provider shall deliver Services in a professional and workmanlike manner consistent with industry standards. Services include all tasks, deliverables, and milestones necessary for completion as set forth below.

Detailed Scope and Deliverables Acceptance Criteria / Milestones

Payment Terms

Client shall pay Provider for the Services in accordance with the terms below. All fees are payable in U.S. dollars unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Total Fee Payment Schedule Invoice and Payment Terms

Provider shall submit invoices to Client in accordance with the Payment Schedule. Payments are due within days of receipt of an accurate invoice. Late payments shall accrue interest at the rate of percent per month (or the maximum allowed by law, if lower).

Term and Termination

This Agreement shall commence on Start Date: and shall continue until End Date: unless earlier terminated in accordance with this Agreement.

Either party may terminate this Agreement for convenience upon written notice to the other party at least days prior to the effective termination date. Either party may terminate immediately for material breach that remains uncured for thirty (30) days after written notice, or immediately for insolvency, bankruptcy filing, or unauthorized assignment.

Effects of Termination

Confidentiality

For purposes of this Agreement, Confidential Information means all non-public information disclosed by one party (Disclosing Party) to the other (Receiving Party) that is designated as confidential or that reasonably should be understood to be confidential given the nature of the information and the circumstances of disclosure. Confidential Information expressly includes, without limitation, business plans, pricing, customer lists, technical data, trade secrets, deliverables, and source materials.

Receiving Party shall: (a) hold Confidential Information in strict confidence using at least the same degree of care it uses to protect its own confidential information (but not less than reasonable care); (b) use Confidential Information solely to perform its obligations under this Agreement; and (c) not disclose Confidential Information to any third party except to employees, contractors, or advisors with a need to know and who are bound by confidentiality obligations no less protective than those herein.

Confidentiality obligations shall not apply to information that: (i) is or becomes publicly available through no fault of the Receiving Party; (ii) is rightfully received from a third party without restriction; (iii) is independently developed by Receiving Party without use of Disclosing Party's Confidential Information; or (iv) is required to be disclosed by law or court order provided Receiving Party gives prompt written notice to Disclosing Party and limits disclosure to the extent reasonably required.

Confidentiality Duration

Intellectual Property and Work Product

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Provider grants Client a non-exclusive, perpetual (unless otherwise terminated), worldwide license to use deliverables produced under this Agreement for Client's internal business purposes. Provider retains ownership of Provider's pre-existing materials, tools, methodologies, and general know-how. To the extent the parties agree that any deliverable is a work made for hire, ownership will vest as provided under applicable law.

Indemnification and Limitation of Liability

Each party shall indemnify and hold harmless the other party from third-party claims arising from its gross negligence or willful misconduct. Except for breaches of confidentiality or willful misconduct, neither party shall be liable to the other for consequential, incidental, or punitive damages. The aggregate liability of either party for claims arising under this Agreement shall not exceed the total fees paid by Client to Provider under this Agreement in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim.

Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of without regard to choice-of-law rules that would apply the laws of another jurisdiction.

Entire Agreement; Amendments

This Agreement, including all exhibits and attachments, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, proposals, or communications, whether written or oral. Any amendment or modification must be in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

Notices

Notices shall be delivered to the addresses below by certified mail, overnight courier, or email with confirmation. Notice is effective upon receipt.

Client Address Service Provider Address Primary Contact for Client Primary Contact for Provider

Client

Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Service Provider

Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What the Business Service SM Contract Is

The Business Service SM Contract is a standardized commercial agreement used to define the scope, deliverables, payment terms, timing, and legal responsibilities between a service provider and a client. It typically includes service descriptions, performance standards, fees, termination clauses, confidentiality, intellectual property allocation, and dispute resolution procedures. This template is meant for recurring or one-off professional services engagements and can be adapted for industry-specific addenda. When executed correctly, it creates enforceable obligations between the parties and supports audit, compliance, and recordkeeping needs.

Why a Clear Service Contract Matters

A precise Business Service SM Contract reduces ambiguity about deliverables, payment, and liability, lowering disputes and streamlining project execution. Clear contract terms protect both parties, align expectations, and make enforcement, audits, and renewals simpler while supporting regulatory and tax recordkeeping requirements.

Who Typically Uses the Business Service SM Contract

The contract is used by small and mid-size service providers, corporate procurement teams, and outside counsel when formalizing ongoing or project-based engagements.

Service providers and consultants who bill hourly or by milestone and need standardized terms.
In-house procurement or operations teams managing vendor onboarding and contract compliance.
Legal and finance teams responsible for risk allocation, invoicing, and tax documentation.

Use this contract when you need repeatable terms that simplify approval, billing, and performance tracking across multiple engagements.

Core Sections to Include in a Professional Contract

A well-structured Business Service SM Contract groups legal and commercial items so reviewers can find obligations, timelines, and remedies quickly.

Scope

Define specific services, deliverables, acceptance criteria, and any excluded tasks to avoid scope creep and disputes over obligations.

Payment

Set fees, invoicing frequency, payment terms, late fees, and expense reimbursement procedures to clarify cash flow expectations.

Term

State the contract start date, duration, renewal provisions, and termination rights including notice periods and cure remedies.

Confidentiality

Specify confidential information, permitted disclosures, duration of confidentiality obligations, and exceptions for legal compulsion.

IP & Deliverables

Assign ownership or license rights for work product and deliverables, and define any retained rights or preexisting IP.

Liability

Limit remedies, set indemnity scope, and cap damages where appropriate; include insurance requirements if needed.

Step-by-Step: Completing the Contract

Follow these sequential steps to prepare and finalize the Business Service SM Contract.

01

Gather details: Collect party names, addresses, scope, pricing, and supporting exhibits.
02

Draft core terms: Populate scope, payment, term, IP, confidentiality, and liability provisions.
03

Review and edit: Have legal and finance review for risk allocation and tax implications.
04

Execute and record: Sign using authorized signers and retain the executed copy for records.

How to Customize the Online Signing Workflow

Configure the digital workflow to match signer order, authentication, and field requirements for a secure and auditable process.

Field	Configuration
Signer Order	Sequential or parallel routing based on approvals
Authentication	Email link, SMS code, or KBA depending on risk
Conditional Fields	Show/hide fields based on signer choices
Audit Trail	Capture IP, timestamp, and action log

Typical Routing and Submission Flow

A clear routing flow ensures each signer sees the right fields in the correct order and that the final signed file is stored with an audit record.

Upload document: Upload finalized draft to the eSignature platform.
Place fields: Add signature, date, and text fields where required.
Invite signers: Enter emails or generate a signing link per recipient.
Finalize storage: Store signed PDF with certificate of completion.

Technical Considerations for eSigning and Submission

Ensure the chosen platform supports required authentication, audit trails, and storage to meet your compliance needs.

Authentication Options: Email, SMS code, KBA, or SSO for stronger identity assurance.
Document Formats: PDF, DOCX, and HTML inputs with signed PDF output.
Integrations: CRM, ERP, cloud storage and API connectivity for automation.

Confirm platform encryption (TLS/AES), audit trail detail, and any BAA or regulatory attestations needed for your industry before eSubmission.

Key Timing and Deadlines to Watch

Track effective dates, notice periods, invoicing windows, and any statutory deadlines tied to tax or retention rules.

Effective Date and Term:

Start date as MM/DD/YYYY and contract duration or renewal trigger.

Invoice Submission Window:

Follow agreed invoice cadence (e.g., monthly or milestone-based) to avoid delayed payment.

Termination Notice:

Comply with required notice periods and cure windows in the contract.

Tax Document Timing:

Provide payee information promptly to support year-end 1099 reporting.

Retention Start Date:

Retention typically begins on the effective date or document creation date.

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Using informal or abbreviated party names that differ from tax or formation records, causing payment and legal identity mismatches.
Leaving scope vague, which creates disputes about deliverables, milestones, and acceptance criteria during project execution.
Omitting governing law or jurisdiction, which complicates dispute resolution and increases litigation uncertainty across states.
Failing to specify invoicing procedures and tax treatment, which can trigger delayed payments or incorrect 1099 reporting.

Consequences of Incorrect or Incomplete Contracts

Tax Penalties: Incorrect payee data can trigger backup withholding or IRC §6721 penalties for misfiled returns.

Payment Disputes: Unclear payment terms increase the risk of non-payment and collections costs.

Contract Voidance: Missing signatory authority can render agreements unenforceable.

Regulatory Exposure: Noncompliance with sector rules (HIPAA, state licensure) may lead to fines.

Notarization Failures: Improper notarization or witness errors can delay recordation or enforcement.

Data Breach Risk: Poor storage practices can increase exposure and breach notification obligations.

Real-World Examples of Using Standardized Contracts

Organizations across sectors use templated contracts to speed execution while keeping consistent legal protections.

Tim Martin — Martin Properties

Used online execution to handle leasing service agreements quickly

Reduced turnaround from days to hours
The firm recorded signed contracts with audit trails and avoided in-person meetings while maintaining compliance.

Dan Rotelli — BIS

Standardized templates for vendor services across regions

Centralized approval and signature collection
This improved internal controls, shortened procurement cycles, and produced consistent contract evidence for audits.

Example eSignature Vendor Pricing and Feature Snapshot

This table compares starting prices and common feature availability across popular eSignature vendors; signNow is listed first as a pricing reference point.

	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 vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Varies by vendor
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies	Varies	Varies

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Answers to common legal and technical questions about executing and maintaining the Business Service SM Contract.

Need help? Contact support

Is an e-signed contract enforceable?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA in most states, provided intent, consent, attribution, and retention are established.
When is notarization required?
Notarization is required for certain document types (real estate conveyances, some affidavits). Check state recording rules; notary acknowledgement is generally required for deeds.
Do I need a HIPAA addendum?
If the contract involves protected health information, include a Business Associate Agreement and follow HIPAA retention and security rules (45 CFR §164.530(j)).
What happens if a signer uses a different legal name?
Name mismatches can impair enforceability and tax reporting; ensure signer names match government ID or formation records to avoid attribution disputes.
Can remote online notarization (RON) be used?
RON is permitted in most states with specific identity-proofing and recordkeeping requirements; verify your state notary commission rules before relying on RON.
How long should I keep the executed contract?
Retain active agreements for their term plus at least three years; follow IRS rules (IRC §6501(a)) and industry-specific rules such as HIPAA six-year retention.

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