Is an electronic signature valid?

Yes. Electronic signatures meet equivalence under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA in most states if intent, consent, attribution, and reliable record retention are present.

When is notarization required?

Notarization is required only when state law or the parties specify it—for example, for deeds or some powers of attorney. Check state rules before execution to avoid later invalidation.

How do I correct errors after signing?

Minor corrections generally need an amendment or corrected counterpart signed by all parties. Do not alter the executed original; instead prepare an amendment referencing the original execution date.

Can I use remote online notarization (RON)?

RON is permitted where state law allows and the notary meets identity-proofing and recording requirements; verify the state's RON rules before relying on it for ET1 execution.

What authentication strength is recommended?

Match authentication to transaction risk: email/SMS for low-risk deals, stronger KBA or MFA for high-value or regulated transactions; document the chosen method in the audit trail.

Which signNow plans support high-volume signatures?

signNow offers Business, Business Premium, Enterprise, and Site License options; Site License provides usage-based pricing at $1.50 per signature invite for very high volumes.

Business Template ET1

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

BUSINESS TEMPLATE ET1

This General Business Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of by and between the following parties:

Client Name: Client Address: Service Provider Name: Service Provider Address:

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Client Name: requires certain services related to the business operations described herein; and

WHEREAS, Service Provider Name: represents that it has the expertise, personnel and resources necessary to perform such services under the terms of this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to set forth the terms and conditions under which the services shall be provided.

SCOPE OF WORK

Service Provider shall perform the services set forth below in a professional and workmanlike manner in accordance with industry standards. The parties acknowledge that deliverables, milestones and acceptance criteria are described in the Scope of Work.

Detailed Scope of Work:

PAYMENT TERMS

In consideration of the performance of Services, Client shall pay Service Provider the fees set forth below in United States dollars. All fees are exclusive of taxes unless otherwise stated.

Total Contract Amount: Deposit / Initial Payment: Payment Schedule / Milestones: Invoice Payment Terms (net days):

Late payments shall accrue interest at the rate specified below and the Client shall be responsible for any reasonable collection costs incurred by the Service Provider.

Late Fee / Interest:

TERM AND TERMINATION

This Agreement commences on the Start Date and continues until the End Date unless earlier terminated pursuant to this section.

Start Date: End Date (or milestone completion): Termination Notice Period:

Either party may terminate this Agreement for material breach by the other party if the breaching party fails to cure such breach within the notice period specified above. Termination shall not relieve Client of its obligation to pay for services performed and costs incurred through the effective date of termination.

CONFIDENTIALITY

For the purposes of this Agreement, "Confidential Information" means non-public information disclosed by one party to the other, whether oral, written or electronic, that is designated as confidential or that reasonably should be understood to be confidential. Each party shall: (a) use Confidential Information solely for the performance of this Agreement; (b) restrict disclosure to its employees and contractors who have a need to know and who are bound by confidentiality obligations no less restrictive than those herein; and (c) exercise at least the same degree of care to protect Confidential Information as it uses to protect its own confidential information, but in no event less than reasonable care.

Confidentiality obligations shall survive termination of this Agreement for a period of years, except for trade secrets which shall remain protected for so long as they qualify under applicable law.

GOVERNING LAW

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

MISCELLANEOUS

Entire Agreement: This Agreement, including its exhibits and any written statements of work incorporated herein, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, proposals and communications, whether written or oral.

Assignment: Neither party may assign or transfer this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party, except to a successor in interest by merger or sale of substantially all assets.

Amendment: Any amendment or modification of this Agreement must be in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

Severability: If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each party represents and warrants that it has the full corporate or organizational authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and that the execution and delivery of this Agreement and performance of its obligations will not violate any other agreement or legal obligation to which it is subject.

Client Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Service Provider Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What the Business Template ET1 Is and When It Applies

The Business Template ET1 is a standardized commercial agreement format commonly used for routine business transactions such as vendor engagements, service agreements, and internal approvals. It codifies key terms — parties, scope, deliverables, payment, and termination — in a single document that can be adapted to specific deals. The template balances clarity and adaptability so organizations can reuse a consistent structure while adding transaction-specific schedules, exhibits, or pricing. When completed correctly, it documents obligations and facilitates downstream processes such as invoicing, compliance checks, and record retention.

Why Use the Business Template ET1 for Routine Agreements

A consistent template reduces drafting time, lowers review cycles, and helps enforce uniform terms across contracts. It also simplifies compliance checks and provides a predictable record for audits and dispute resolution.

Who Typically Completes the Business Template ET1

Use by the right combination of stakeholders shortens approval time and reduces rework.

Procurement teams and contract managers who standardize vendor terms and compare supplier quotes.
Legal or compliance reviewers who insert jurisdictional clauses and certify regulatory language.
Finance and accounts payable for ensuring payment terms and invoicing schedules match internal processes.

Core sections to include in a professional Business Template ET1

A well-constructed ET1 includes discrete sections so reviewers can locate obligations quickly and so downstream systems can parse key data fields for reporting and compliance.

Parties

Identify each contracting entity with full legal name, entity type, and a designated address. Use the exact legal entity name used in tax and corporate filings to avoid identification or tax-reporting mismatches.

Effective Date

Specify the effective date in MM/DD/YYYY format and note whether obligations begin on execution or a separate commencement milestone. This date governs performance windows and statute‑of‑limitations calculations.

Scope of Work

Describe deliverables, milestones, and acceptance criteria with sufficient precision so obligations are measurable. Attach schedules or exhibits for technical specs, delivery timetables, and measurable acceptance tests.

Payment and Consideration

State the exact payment amounts or pricing formula, currency, invoicing cadence, and payment method. Include late fee or interest terms and specify whether taxes are included or excluded.

Term and Termination

Define the contract term, renewal mechanics, termination rights for convenience or cause, and the consequences of termination such as final payments or return of materials.

Signature and Execution

Provide clear signature blocks for each party with printed name, title, and date. Note any required witness or notarization steps and whether electronic signatures are permitted under ESIGN or UETA.

Step-by-step: completing and circulating the ET1

Follow these sequential steps to reduce errors and accelerate execution when using the ET1.

01

1. Draft: Populate template fields and attach exhibits.
02

2. Internal review: Legal and finance verify terms and tax treatment.
03

3. Sign: Execute via permitted signature method.
04

4. Distribute: Share fully executed copies to stakeholders and records.

How to set up an online workflow for ET1

Configure workflow fields and authentication to match your compliance and approval requirements before sending.

Field	Configuration
Auto-fill fields	Map data from CRM or ERP to reduce manual entry.
Conditional fields	Show or hide clauses based on selected options.
Authentication	Choose email, SMS code, or stronger verification.
Reminders	Set periodic reminders for unsigned parties.

Typical submission and routing flow for ET1

Most organizations follow a predictable routing sequence that ensures approvals and creates an audit trail.

Upload: Sender uploads the ET1 and attached exhibits.
Place fields: Add signature, date, and conditional fields where needed.
Assign signers: Sequence signers or allow parallel signing.
Capture audit trail: System records timestamps, IP, and actions.

Technical considerations for electronic completion

Match platform capabilities to your compliance needs, such as HIPAA or 21 CFR Part 11, and enable audit logging.

Integrations: CRM, ERP, cloud storage supported.
Formats: PDF, DOCX, and HTML accepted.
Security: TLS and AES encryption in transit/rest.

How to save and export completed ET1 records

Finalized ET1 documents should be saved in formats that preserve signatures and support long-term access and audit.

PDF/A export

Export a locked PDF/A copy that embeds the signing metadata and a tamper-evident signature layer so the document remains reproducible for audits and long-term storage.

Editable DOCX

Keep a DOCX copy for internal edits and version history, but ensure the signed PDF/A is retained as the authoritative executed document.

Certificate of Completion

Generate and store the signing certificate or audit trail, showing signer emails, timestamps, IP addresses, and authentication method for evidentiary purposes.

Cloud Archival

Store executed files in secure cloud storage with versioning and access controls, and maintain retention labels consistent with legal hold requirements.

Key penalties and practical risks from incorrect ET1 execution

Contract Unenforceable: Improper signatures risk unenforceability

Tax Penalties: 1099 late penalties $60–$330+ (IRC §6721)

I-9 Violations: I-9 paperwork fines $281–$2,789 per violation

HIPAA Exposure: Noncompliance leads to regulatory fines and remediation

Notary Invalidity: Incorrect notarization can void filings or recording

Data Breach Risk: Insufficient controls increase breach and liability risks

Common preparation mistakes to avoid with ET1

Leaving parties listed by trade name rather than legal entity name, which creates onboarding and tax-reporting delays.
Failing to attach referenced exhibits or schedules, causing ambiguity about deliverables and payment triggers.
Using vague consideration language such as 'reasonable value' instead of a specific payment amount or formula.
Skipping required witness or notarization steps in jurisdictions that mandate them, risking invalidation.

Timelines and processing expectations for the ET1 lifecycle

Set clear internal SLAs for drafting, review, signing, and archival to ensure predictable processing.

Drafting Time:

Typical initial draft in 1–3 business days

Internal Review:

Legal and finance review within 3–7 business days

Signing Window:

Allow 7–14 days for external signatures

Filing/Recording:

File (if required) per state timeline immediately after execution

Tax Reporting:

If used for reportable payments, follow IRS deadlines such as Jan 31 for 1099-NEC

Key milestones from draft to final archive

Track these numbered stages to maintain a clear timeline and audit trail for each ET1.

01

Stage One: Drafting

Populate fields, attach exhibits, and prepare metadata.

02

Stage Two: Review

Legal, procurement, and finance complete approvals and redlines.

03

Stage Three: Execution

Parties sign and notarize as required; capture audit trail.

04

Stage Four: Archival

Store signed copies with retention labels and access controls.

How Business Template ET1 differs from similar contract types

A quick comparison helps choose the right document for the transaction and avoid unnecessary clauses.

Criteria	Business Template ET1	Standard NDA
Primary use	operational agreements	confidentiality only
Notarization typical		rare
Typical length	multiple pages	one to two pages
Electronic signing

eSignature vendor pricing and feature overview for ET1 workflows

Basic pricing and feature availability for representative eSignature vendors are shown below to inform platform selection for ET1 processes.

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

Frequently asked questions about completing and signing the ET1

Answers to common practical questions about electronic execution, notarization, and correcting signed ET1 documents.

Need help? Contact support

Is an electronic signature valid?
Yes. Electronic signatures meet equivalence under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA in most states if intent, consent, attribution, and reliable record retention are present.
When is notarization required?
Notarization is required only when state law or the parties specify it—for example, for deeds or some powers of attorney. Check state rules before execution to avoid later invalidation.
How do I correct errors after signing?
Minor corrections generally need an amendment or corrected counterpart signed by all parties. Do not alter the executed original; instead prepare an amendment referencing the original execution date.
Can I use remote online notarization (RON)?
RON is permitted where state law allows and the notary meets identity-proofing and recording requirements; verify the state's RON rules before relying on it for ET1 execution.
What authentication strength is recommended?
Match authentication to transaction risk: email/SMS for low-risk deals, stronger KBA or MFA for high-value or regulated transactions; document the chosen method in the audit trail.
Which signNow plans support high-volume signatures?
signNow offers Business, Business Premium, Enterprise, and Site License options; Site License provides usage-based pricing at $1.50 per signature invite for very high volumes.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now