Entity identification
Full legal name, DBA if applicable, principal business address, and federal EIN so institutions can match corporate records and avoid administrative holds.
A properly completed Business SIG Card clarifies delegation of signature authority, prevents delays with banks and counterparties, and supports internal control and audit requirements. It reduces disputes about who had authority at the time a document was executed and documents limits or special conditions tied to signing power.
SIG Cards are used by a mix of internal and external stakeholders to confirm signing authority before execution or payment.
Keep SIG Cards current and stored with the corporate records custodian so counterparties and internal auditors can verify authority quickly.
The CFO is commonly listed for high-value approvals and treasury functions. Include full legal name, official title, specimen signature, and explicit dollar or contractual limits to avoid ambiguity in bank or vendor setups.
Operational signers such as Controllers or VPs may be granted narrower authority. Record role-based limits, any required countersignatures, and the effective date for each authorization to maintain a clear audit trail.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Entity Name Field | Read-only — auto-populate from system record |
| Signer Name Field | Editable — required, exact-match validation |
| Signature Field | Required — attach specimen image or draw |
| Notary Block | Conditional — show when notarization requested |
Use a platform that supports audit trails, conditional fields, and optional notarization to match counterparties' requirements.
Platforms with audit trails and optional notarization simplify verification, while integrations reduce manual data entry and reconciliation work.
Full legal name, DBA if applicable, principal business address, and federal EIN so institutions can match corporate records and avoid administrative holds.
Full legal names for each authorized signer, office titles, specimen signatures, and contact details so verifiers can confirm identity quickly.
Clear dollar limits, types of permitted transactions, and any conditional requirements such as countersignatures or board resolutions.
Start and end dates for each authorization, including any interim or temporary delegations tied to specific projects or accounts.
Notary acknowledgement, witness lines, or electronic authentication notes if the bank or third party requires formal verification.
Reference to where the master SIG Card is retained (corporate records custodian) and the revision history for audit purposes.
Indicate where the corporate seal should be placed and whether a digital imprint or scanned seal is acceptable; some banks insist on an original physical seal for certain transactions.
Record the resolution date and file number authorizing the signer list. Including this reference lets verifiers request the resolution only if needed, reducing routine friction.
Name, title, phone, and email of the corporate contact who can confirm authority during bank onboarding or vendor acceptance; keeps verification calls focused and brief.
Capture any special conditions (temporary authority, dual-signature requirements, foreign currency restrictions) in a short text block so processors know when extra approval is needed.
A mid-size investment firm standardized SIG Cards for treasury signers to match bank records.
A regional property manager used SIG Cards to document leasing authority for regional managers.
Resolution adopted authorizing signers and limits.
Complete fields and collect specimen signatures.
Notarize or witness if required by counterparty.
Send to banks and retain master copy.
Enter as MM/DD/YYYY to avoid ambiguity.
Review authorized signers at least once per year.
Update immediately on role change or termination.
Retention begins on execution date of card.
Record revocations with an effective date to notify banks.
| Document Type | SIG Card | Board Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | operational authority record | formal corporate approval |
| Typical signer | finance officer | board chair or secretary |
| Use case | bank/vendor verification | legal delegation and governance |
| Formality level | lower formality | higher formality |
| 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) | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes (BAA available) | BAA available | BAA available | Varies | Varies |