Is an electronic signature valid?

Yes. Under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA laws, electronic signatures are generally legally equivalent to handwritten signatures if intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements are met.

When is a notary or witness required?

Notarization or witness requirements depend on the document type and state law. Most commercial service agreements do not require notarization, but certain instruments (deeds, powers of attorney) do; consult state law when in doubt.

Can I use remote online notarization (RON)?

Many states permit RON with identity proofing and recorded audio-video sessions. RON availability varies by state; confirm state notary rules before relying on remote notarization.

What authentication level should I use?

Use email-only authentication for low-risk ASTs; add SMS, KBA, or multi-factor authentication for higher-risk agreements or where stronger signer identity evidence is required.

How do I correct a signed AST?

Material changes require amendment and re-execution by all parties. Minor typographical corrections may be handled by agreement addendum; preserve amendment records and signatures.

How long should I keep signed ASTs?

Retain executed ASTs for at least the contract term plus three years, comply with IRS retention rules for tax records, and follow industry-specific retention like HIPAA six-year rules for health-related records.

Business Services AST

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BUSINESS SERVICES AST

This Business Services Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of Effective Date: by and between Service Provider: with a principal place of business at and Client Name: with a principal place of business at .

WHEREAS

WHEREAS, Service Provider is engaged in the business of providing professional business services, including advisory, implementation, and operational support, and has the expertise, personnel, and resources necessary to perform the services described in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Client desires to engage Service Provider to perform such services on the terms and conditions set forth herein and Service Provider agrees to provide such services to Client.

SCOPE OF WORK

Service Provider shall perform the services and deliver the deliverables described below. The parties may amend the scope only by a written Change Order signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

Detailed Scope and Deliverables Milestones / Estimated Completion Dates

PAYMENT TERMS

Client shall pay Service Provider the fees set forth below in exchange for performance of the Scope of Work. All fees are exclusive of applicable taxes unless otherwise stated.

Total Fee Payment Schedule (milestones, percentages, or dates) Invoices Due Late Fee

Unpaid amounts shall accrue interest at a rate of on the overdue balance, or the maximum amount permitted by law, whichever is less. Client is responsible for reasonable collection costs, including attorneys' fees.

TERM AND TERMINATION

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

Termination for Convenience

Either party may terminate this Agreement without cause upon written notice delivered at least prior to the intended termination date. Upon termination, Client shall pay Service Provider for all work performed through the effective date of termination and for non-cancellable obligations incurred prior to termination.

Termination for Cause

Either party may terminate this Agreement for material breach by the other party if the breaching party fails to cure such breach within 15 days after receipt of written notice specifying the breach. Material breaches include, but are not limited to, failure to pay undisputed fees or failure to perform material obligations under the Scope of Work.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party (the "Receiving Party") shall hold in confidence and not disclose to any third party any Confidential Information of the other party (the "Disclosing Party") disclosed in connection with this Agreement. "Confidential Information" means non-public information disclosed orally, in writing, or by inspection of tangible objects 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.

The Receiving Party shall protect Confidential Information using the same degree of care 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 known to the public without breach of any obligation owed to the Disclosing Party; (b) was known to the Receiving Party prior to its disclosure by the Disclosing Party; (c) is received from a third party without breach of any obligation of confidentiality; or (d) is independently developed by the Receiving Party without use of the Disclosing Party's Confidential Information.

The obligations under this Section shall continue during the term of this Agreement and for a period of following termination or expiration.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Service Provider shall retain all right, title, and interest in any pre-existing intellectual property and tools used in performing the services. Client shall own any deliverables specifically created for Client under this Agreement and delivered to Client, subject to Service Provider's ownership of its pre-existing materials and general methodologies. The parties shall execute any necessary documents to effectuate such ownership transfer.

INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Each party shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other party from and against any third-party claims arising out of the indemnifying party's gross negligence, willful misconduct, or material breach of this Agreement. EXCEPT FOR A PARTY'S INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS OR LIABILITY FOR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY'S AGGREGATE LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT EXCEED THE FEES PAID OR PAYABLE TO SERVICE PROVIDER UNDER THIS AGREEMENT DURING THE SIX (6) MONTHS PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM.

GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of without regard to its conflicts of law principles. The parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in that state for any disputes arising under or in connection with this Agreement.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

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

MISCELLANEOUS

Notices under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses set forth above. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. Neither party may assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other, except that Service Provider may assign to an affiliate or in connection with a merger or sale of substantially all of its assets.

Service Provider (Print Name):

By:

Date:

Title:

Client (Print Name):

By:

Date:

Title:

What the Business Services AST Is and when it’s used

The Business Services AST is a structured agreement template used to document the scope, responsibilities, and administrative terms between a services provider and a business client. It typically captures service descriptions, delivery milestones, fees, performance metrics, confidentiality terms, and signature blocks for authorized signatories. The AST is intended to standardize recurring engagements, reduce negotiation overhead, and create a single source of truth for operational and billing expectations.

Why a clear, consistent AST matters

A well-prepared Business Services AST clarifies roles, reduces disputes, and provides an auditable record of commitments. It helps both parties align on deliverables, timelines, and payment terms while making it easier to demonstrate intent and attribution if questions arise.

Typical users and where the AST fits

The Business Services AST is used by internal operations, procurement, legal, and client-facing teams to formalize service relationships before work starts.

Operations teams that manage service delivery and schedules for recurring engagements.
Procurement or purchasing groups that need standardized terms for vendor onboarding.
Legal or contract teams that require a consistent contract scaffold for review and compliance.

Teams that standardize ASTs reduce review cycles and improve consistency across projects and accounts.

Core sections to include in a professional AST

A complete Business Services AST organizes obligations, timing, pricing, and governance so reviewers can find key terms quickly and sign with confidence.

Scope

Describe services in measurable terms, including deliverables, exclusions, and acceptance criteria to avoid scope creep and ambiguous obligations.

Term

Specify start and end dates, automatic renewal language if any, and termination triggers such as material breach or insolvency.

Payment

Define fees, invoicing cadence, accepted payment methods, and late-payment remedies including interest or suspended services.

Performance

Include service levels, performance metrics, remedies for missed targets, and reporting requirements tied to payments where applicable.

Confidentiality

Identify confidential information, permitted disclosures, data handling requirements, and duration of nondisclosure obligations.

Signatures

Provide clear signatory blocks with printed name, title, date, and space for witness or notary details if required by law or by either party.

Step-by-step: filling out the Business Services AST

Follow these steps in order to complete the AST accurately and reduce the need for revisions or missing-information follow-ups.

01

Prepare attachments: Gather SOWs, schedules, and pricing exhibits before starting the form.
02

Complete metadata: Enter names, addresses, effective date, and governing law fields first.
03

Detail scope: List deliverables, milestones, and acceptance criteria clearly.
04

Sign and record: Obtain authorized signatures and retain an executed copy for both parties.

Configuring a digital workflow for the AST

Set up a reproducible workflow to route the AST through review, approval, and signature to minimize manual tracking and delays.

Field	Configuration
Signer order	Sequential routing with required approver before final signature
Authentication	Email link by default; add SMS or KBA for higher assurance
Conditional fields	Show payment exhibit only if 'paid' checkbox is selected
Retention policy	Store signed copy and audit trail in central repository

Where to send or file the completed AST

After execution, route the AST to the correct recipients and systems so obligations and invoicing can begin without delay.

Client copy: Email signed PDF to the client’s contract administrator and accounts payable team.
Internal records: Save executed AST to company contract repository and CRM record.
Billing system: Upload pricing exhibits to invoicing or ERP systems for automated billing.
Legal folder: Keep a signed copy in legal counsel’s folder for dispute readiness.

Digital signing and integration considerations

Choose a platform that supports your required authentication, audit trail, and storage integrations to preserve evidentiary value.

Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace
File types: PDF, DOCX, HTML
Auth options: Email, SMS, KBA

Typical timing and processing expectations

Set internal deadlines for review, execution, and system entry to keep the AST workflow predictable and auditable.

Review window:

Allow 3–5 business days for legal and procurement review

Client signature period:

Expect 7–14 days depending on client responsiveness

System entry:

Upload executed AST to repositories within 2 business days

Billing activation:

Begin invoicing per AST terms after signature and system setup

Retention start:

Retention periods begin on AST effective date or final execution date

Common preparation mistakes to avoid

Using vague scope language that leads to differing expectations and disputes.
Leaving blank or inconsistent signatory names that delay acceptance and tax reporting.
Omitting governing law or dispute resolution clauses and increasing litigation uncertainty.
Failing to attach required exhibits such as SOWs, price lists, or data-processing addenda.

Practical risks and potential consequences

Unenforceable Terms: Ambiguity may render obligations unenforceable

Payment Disputes: Late or unclear payment terms create collection risk

Privacy Liability: Noncompliant data handling can trigger HIPAA or state breaches

Notarial Error: Incorrect notarization invalidates acknowledgements

Operational Delays: Missing exhibits delay project start and revenue recognition

Contractual Exposure: Poorly defined SLAs may lead to indemnity claims

Real-world examples of AST use in business operations

These examples illustrate how organizations reduce cycle time and maintain compliance when ASTs are systematized and executed electronically.

Optica Ventures

Brian Fitzgibbons found the interface simple and easy-to-use for internal teams and customers

Reduced turnaround
The result was faster agreement execution and fewer follow-ups, enabling clearer handoffs between sales and operations while preserving an auditable signature record.

Martin Properties

Tim Martin used online execution to process documents with full compliance

Mobile and offline signing supported
He reports the ability to execute required documents remotely improved closing speed and reduced dependence on in-person meetings for routine administrative agreements.

Practical tips to prepare ASTs faster and reduce errors

Adopt these habits to minimize review cycles and increase the chance of first-pass acceptance.

Standardize templates and exhibits

Maintain a single master AST and append modular exhibits (SOWs, pricing schedules, data-processing addenda). Standardization reduces negotiation points, speeds approvals, and simplifies version control across accounts.

Pre-fill metadata from CRM

Automate insertion of client legal names, addresses, and billing codes from your CRM to avoid manual entry errors and mismatched signatory names that cause execution delays.

Define signatory authority limits

Document who can sign at different contract values or obligations. Having clear internal approval thresholds prevents unauthorized signings and post-execution rescission claims.

Keep an audit trail and storage plan

Ensure the signed AST and audit trail (timestamps, IP, signer attribution) are stored in a secure repository with defined retention to meet legal and regulatory obligations.

Who typically signs the AST

Authorized Officer

C-level or designated officer who has contractual authority for the company. This signer attests that the organization agrees to the AST terms and triggers contractual obligations for the business.

Procurement Lead

Procurement or vendor manager who ensures scope, pricing, and SLAs align with internal purchasing rules before final signature and system entry.

Security and compliance features to look for

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest

Certifications: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 available

Regulatory Support: ESIGN, UETA, and 21 CFR Part 11 compliance

Privacy Frameworks: GDPR and CCPA compliant controls

Healthcare: HIPAA support available with a signed BAA

Accessibility: WCAG 2.0 Level AA conformance

Frequently asked questions about executing and managing the AST

Answers to common questions on enforceability, authentication, notarization, and recordkeeping for ASTs executed electronically.

Need help? Contact support

Is an electronic signature valid?
Yes. Under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA laws, electronic signatures are generally legally equivalent to handwritten signatures if intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements are met.
When is a notary or witness required?
Notarization or witness requirements depend on the document type and state law. Most commercial service agreements do not require notarization, but certain instruments (deeds, powers of attorney) do; consult state law when in doubt.
Can I use remote online notarization (RON)?
Many states permit RON with identity proofing and recorded audio-video sessions. RON availability varies by state; confirm state notary rules before relying on remote notarization.
What authentication level should I use?
Use email-only authentication for low-risk ASTs; add SMS, KBA, or multi-factor authentication for higher-risk agreements or where stronger signer identity evidence is required.
How do I correct a signed AST?
Material changes require amendment and re-execution by all parties. Minor typographical corrections may be handled by agreement addendum; preserve amendment records and signatures.
How long should I keep signed ASTs?
Retain executed ASTs for at least the contract term plus three years, comply with IRS retention rules for tax records, and follow industry-specific retention like HIPAA six-year rules for health-related records.

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