Business Identity
Legal name, DBAs, formation jurisdiction, and entity type (LLC, corporation, sole proprietorship). These fields support matching against formation records and tax IDs.
A consistent Business Validation Form centralizes essential data, creates an auditable trail for compliance, and reduces onboarding time and errors. It helps firms meet internal controls and supports lawful reliance under ESIGN and UETA when executed electronically.
Keep completed forms with supporting documents in a secure records system to support audits and dispute resolution.
A C-level officer or other company officer authorized to bind the entity signs when the form grants contractual rights or payment authority. Verify title and authority with formation records or board resolution to avoid future invalidation.
A registered agent or consultant may complete the form on behalf of a business if accompanied by written authorization. Maintain the agent engagement letter and power of attorney or executed authorization on file.
Legal name, DBAs, formation jurisdiction, and entity type (LLC, corporation, sole proprietorship). These fields support matching against formation records and tax IDs.
EIN or SSN where applicable and W-9 request checkbox. Correct TINs prevent backup withholding and help accounts payable process payments.
Signer name, title, business email, and phone. Include a statement confirming authority and a date for the authorization.
Articles of organization/incorporation, operating agreement, recent utility bill, or certificate of good standing required to corroborate identity.
Bank account routing and account numbers, ACH authorization language, or instruction to submit voided check; ensure PCI/ACH controls as needed.
Explicit attestation of truthfulness and signature block with date, capture of signing method (electronic or wet) and audit metadata.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Required Fields | Mark name, EIN, signer, and attachments required |
| Routing | Route to compliance then accounts payable |
| Authentication | Enable email link + optional SMS code |
| Retention Rule | Auto-archive signed form to secure storage |
Ensure the platform supports secure storage (AES-256 at rest, TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit) and a retrievable certificate of completion for legal defensibility.
| Criteria | Electronic Signature | Digital Signature |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | any electronic mark | pki-based cryptographic signature |
| Non-repudiation | audit trail dependent | strong by certificate |
| Use Cases | contracts, onboarding | high-assurance regulated filings |
| Compliance Fit | esign/ueta acceptable | meets 21 cfr part 11 needs |
1–3 business days to check completeness
3–7 business days if external checks needed
Up to 5 business days for micro-deposits
1 business day after all checks clear
Typical 1–10 business days depending on complexity
| 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 | Yes, 7-day free trial | Varies | Varies | Yes, limited | Yes, limited |
| 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 | Varies |
A regional brokerage used a standardized form to collect EIN and formation docs
A payments provider required validated business banking and signer authority