Can this be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96, 2000) and UETA as adopted by most states, provided the signature demonstrates intent, consent, attribution, and record retention.

When is notarization required?

Notarization is required for specific acknowledgements such as deeds or certain state filings; requirements vary by state—confirm with the Secretary of State or notary commission.

Who may sign on behalf of the company?

Authorized signers are those designated in the formation documents or corporate resolutions. Banks and third parties may request a resolution confirming signer authority.

How do I fix a completed form with an error?

If a signed record contains an error, create an amendment or correction with clear cross-reference and signatures from the original authorized signers; retain both versions for auditability.

Are remote notarizations acceptable?

Remote online notarization (RON) is permitted in many states with identity proofing and recording requirements; check state RON rules and retention obligations before relying on a RON.

How long should I retain these records?

Retain formation and related financial records at least as long as federal minima (IRS 3 years for most tax records) and longer for HIPAA, SEC, or litigation exposure as required.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Business Start Document

Business Start Document

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

BUSINESS START DOCUMENT

This Business Start Document (the Agreement) is entered into as of by and between:

Company Name: Principal / Organizer: Business Address: Contact Email:

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company intends to commence commercial operations for the purpose of conducting lawful business activities described as ; and

WHEREAS, the Principal has engaged or will engage certain persons and service providers to perform organizational, administrative and operational services necessary to commence business operations; and

WHEREAS, the parties wish to set forth in writing the scope, payment, confidentiality and other material terms governing the initial start-up activities.

SCOPE OF WORK

Scope Description:

The Provider shall perform the tasks described in the Scope Description, which shall include, without limitation, formation tasks, vendor onboarding, initial marketing setup, financial system setup, and such additional activities as the parties may agree in writing. Deliverables, timelines and milestones referenced in the Scope Description shall be reasonably detailed and subject to mutual agreement.

PAYMENT TERMS

The Company shall pay the Provider the fees set forth below in consideration for the services and deliverables.

Total Fee: Payment Schedule (select applicable):

One-time upon execution Deposit with balance upon milestone completion Monthly installments

Payment Due Date or Terms: Late Payment Charge:

Late payments shall accrue interest at % per month (or the maximum permitted by applicable law, if less), with a minimum late fee of .

TERM AND TERMINATION

This Agreement shall commence on and shall continue until unless earlier terminated in accordance with this section.

Either party may terminate this Agreement for convenience upon written notice delivered not less than days prior to the effective termination date. Termination for cause may be immediate upon written notice if the breaching party fails to cure a material breach within fifteen (15) days after receiving written notice of such breach.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party acknowledges that in connection with this Agreement it may receive confidential or proprietary information of the other party ("Confidential Information"). Confidential Information does not include information that (i) is or becomes generally available to the public other than by a breach of this Agreement; (ii) was in the receiving party's possession prior to disclosure by the disclosing party without obligation of confidentiality; or (iii) is rightfully obtained from a third party without restriction.

The receiving party shall not use or disclose Confidential Information except as necessary to perform its obligations under this Agreement and shall protect such information using at least the same degree of care it uses to protect its own confidential information, but no less than a reasonable degree of care. The obligations of confidentiality shall survive termination of this Agreement for a period of from the date of termination.

GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

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

MISCELLANEOUS

Assignment: Neither party may assign or delegate its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party, except that the Company may assign rights to an affiliate or in connection with a merger or sale of substantially all assets.

Indemnification: Each party agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other party from and against any third-party claims arising out of the indemnifying party's gross negligence or willful misconduct in performing its obligations under this Agreement.

Notices shall be in writing and delivered to the contact information set forth in this Agreement and shall be effective upon receipt.

Company (Printed Name):

By:

Date:

Provider (Printed Name):

By:

Date:

What the Business Start Document Is and When It’s Used

A Business Start Document is a collection of forms and declarations used to establish a new business entity and to set initial governance, ownership, and administrative details. Typical elements include the legal entity name, business purpose, formation state, registered agent, organizer or incorporator details, initial member or director resolutions, and signature blocks for authorized signatories. The package is used to register the business with state agencies, open bank accounts, obtain an EIN from the IRS, and document ownership and initial capital contributions for internal and external stakeholders.

Why this document matters for new companies

The Business Start Document creates legally relevant records that enable state registration, banking, tax registration, and third-party verification. It reduces onboarding friction, documents authority, and supports auditability when retained in accordance with federal and state rules.

Who commonly prepares or signs this document

Typical preparers include founders, corporate secretaries, attorneys, and formation service providers who assemble required details for filing and onboarding.

Founders and organizers preparing formation packets and opening bank accounts for the new entity.
Attorneys and CPAs reviewing governance language and tax identification requirements for accuracy and compliance.
Lenders, title companies, and investors verifying authority, ownership percentages, and initial capital contributions.

Recipients include banks, payroll providers, investors, and state filing offices that rely on accurate start documents to establish accounts and compliance records.

Essential sections to include in a professional packet

A complete Business Start Document groups identity, governance, tax, and banking information into clear sections so third parties can validate the company quickly and reliably.

Entity Name

Exact legal business name, DBA entries, and any punctuation; this must match the name filed with the state to avoid registration or banking delays.

Legal Form

Entity type (LLC, Corporation, S Corp, Partnership) and related statute references; choice affects tax treatment, governance, and filing requirements.

Registered Agent

Registered agent name and address for service of process; must meet state residency or commercial agent requirements and be current at filing.

Organizer / Officers

Names, titles, and contact information for incorporators, initial directors, managers, or authorized officers, plus signature authority statements.

Capital & Ownership

Initial contributions, ownership percentages, share classes or membership units, and any vesting or payout conditions documented explicitly.

Resolutions & Signatures

Initial resolutions authorizing bank accounts, EIN application, and signatory designations; signature blocks with date fields for each authorized signer.

Step-by-step: filling and assembling the packet

Follow these sequential steps to prepare a complete Business Start Document for filing and third-party use.

01

Gather details: Collect names, addresses, and ID numbers for all parties.
02

Choose structure: Confirm entity type and state of formation.
03

Draft resolutions: Prepare bank authorization and initial governance documents.
04

Sign and verify: Obtain required signatures, dates, and any notarizations.

Configuring an online completion workflow

When using an electronic form, set fields and authentication to match legal and operational needs before sending to signers.

Field	Configuration
Required Fields	Mark legal name, EIN, and signature fields as mandatory.
Conditional Logic	Show state-specific clauses only when that state is selected.
Authentication	Require email + SMS or ID verification for high-risk signers.
Integrations	Connect to CRM or accounting systems for automatic record creation.

Digital submission and eSignature basics

Confirm the file format, signer authentication, and storage policy before distributing the document.

File formats: Use PDF or Word DOCX for compatibility and archival integrity.
Authentication: Email with SMS code or ID verification improves signer attribution.
Integrations: Connect to Salesforce, NetSuite, or Google Workspace for downstream workflows.

Typical online signing and filing flow

A standard e-submission flow reduces cycle time and documents who signed, when, and where.

Upload: Sender uploads the Business Start Document files.
Place fields: Sender assigns signature, date, and required fields.
Authenticate: Signer verifies identity and completes fields.
Archive: System stores signed PDF and audit trail.

Comparing eSignature vendors for Business Start Document workflows

Basic vendor differences affect per-user pricing, bulk sending, audit trails, HIPAA support, and envelope caps; choose a product aligned with your volume and compliance needs.

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

Common timing considerations and external deadlines

Timelines vary by action: state filing, tax registration, banking, and any conditional filings; plan for state processing and bank onboarding time.

State Formation Filing:

Processing times vary by state; expedited options may be available through the Secretary of State.

EIN Issuance:

IRS issues EIN immediately online when application is completed by an authorized party.

Bank Account Setup:

Banks may require certified formation documents and an EIN; account opening timelines vary by institution.

Tax Registration:

Register for state and local taxes promptly to meet withholding and sales tax obligations.

Annual Compliance:

Many states require annual reports or fees—check the Secretary of State schedule for due dates.

Frequent preparation errors to avoid

Using an informal or trade name that does not match the state-filed legal name causes banking and contracting delays.
Entering an incorrect or missing EIN can trigger backup withholding or rejected tax filings.
Failing to provide a valid registered agent address leads to failed service of process or late notices.
Missing signature authority language or unsigned resolutions prevents banks and investors from recognizing signer authority.

Risks and potential penalties from mistakes

Tax Penalties: Incorrect tax filings can trigger IRC §6721 penalties for information returns.

Backup Withholding: Missing or incorrect TINs can result in 24% backup withholding.

I-9 Violations: Improper employment documentation risks penalties under 8 CFR §274a.2.

Notarization Errors: Omitting required notarization can render certain acknowledgements invalid.

Data Breach Fines: Inadequate record protection risks HIPAA or state privacy enforcement fines.

Contract Invalidity: Missing signatures or authority language can lead to unenforceable agreements.

Security and compliance features to verify

In-transit Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3

At-rest Encryption: AES-256

Audit Trail: Detailed timestamps and IP logging

Certifications: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001

Regulatory Compliance: ESIGN, UETA, 21 CFR Part 11

Healthcare Controls: HIPAA BAA available

Real-world examples of startup document workflows

These examples show how organizations handled formation paperwork, signatures, and verification with remote workflows.

Martin Properties

Tim Martin, Founder, used online execution for formation and bank authorization

Reduced in-person steps and improved compliance
"I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security," enabling remote closes and faster onboarding.

Fertility Centers

John Butler, Founder, centralized document signing for corporate and clinical onboarding

Integrated signed packets with internal systems
"The airSlate SignNow team has been exceptional, responsive, the API has been great, and we're extremely happy that we chose airSlate SignNow as a company."

Frequently asked questions about Business Start Documents

Below are concise answers to common execution, validity, and compliance questions encountered when preparing formation and start-up packets.

Need help? Contact support

Can this be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96, 2000) and UETA as adopted by most states, provided the signature demonstrates intent, consent, attribution, and record retention.
When is notarization required?
Notarization is required for specific acknowledgements such as deeds or certain state filings; requirements vary by state—confirm with the Secretary of State or notary commission.
Who may sign on behalf of the company?
Authorized signers are those designated in the formation documents or corporate resolutions. Banks and third parties may request a resolution confirming signer authority.
How do I fix a completed form with an error?
If a signed record contains an error, create an amendment or correction with clear cross-reference and signatures from the original authorized signers; retain both versions for auditability.
Are remote notarizations acceptable?
Remote online notarization (RON) is permitted in many states with identity proofing and recording requirements; check state RON rules and retention obligations before relying on a RON.
How long should I retain these records?
Retain formation and related financial records at least as long as federal minima (IRS 3 years for most tax records) and longer for HIPAA, SEC, or litigation exposure as required.

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