Can this certification be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are acceptable when they meet the ESIGN Act and applicable UETA requirements: demonstrate signer intent, consent to transact electronically, attribution, and record retention capability.

What qualifies as a permissible purpose?

Permissible purposes generally include employment, tenancy screening, credit underwriting, insurance underwriting, and other uses authorized by the Fair Credit Reporting Act; select the single purpose that matches your intent.

Is notarization required for the certification?

Not typically. Most consumer report certifications do not require notarization, though specific state or contract requirements may impose additional authentication.

How long must the certification be retained?

Retain the certification for the life of the transaction plus at least three years; healthcare contexts must meet HIPAA retention rules of six years where applicable.

Who can sign the certification?

An authorized representative of the requesting entity or an individual with delegated authority should sign; maintain documentation of the signer’s authority as part of the record.

How do I revoke or limit the certification?

Revoke or limit distribution by rescinding authorization in writing and notifying the reporting agency; maintain a record of the revocation and follow any contractual notice obligations.

Electronic Signature
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Certification of Purposes for Which Consumer Reports Will Be Used

Certification of Purposes for Which Consumer Reports Will Be Used

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

What this certification is and when it applies

The Certification of Purposes for Which Consumer Reports Will Be Used is a written statement used when ordering consumer reports that documents the specific permissible purpose under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and applicable state law. It affirms the requester’s intended use, identifies the subject or subjects of the report, and records the individual or organization authorized to receive and act on the information. Organizations use this certification to demonstrate compliance with consumer privacy rules, to support recordkeeping, and to provide an auditable trail when background checks, credit checks, tenant screening, or employment screening are initiated.

Why a clear certification matters for consumer reports

A precise certification establishes lawful purpose, supports auditability, and reduces regulatory risk by documenting requester intent and recipient authority.

Who typically completes this certification

Organizations and individuals who request consumer reports must complete the certification to show a permissible purpose and an authorized recipient.

Employers and HR teams requesting background checks for hiring or promotion decisions; documents required to show job-related legitimate purpose.
Landlords and property managers ordering tenant screening; certification identifies the applicant and the permitted use for leasing decisions.
Lenders and financial services firms pulling credit reports for credit underwriting, account maintenance, or collection activity.

Accurate completion helps preserve consumer protections under federal and state law and supports defensible record retention practices.

Core elements included in a professional certification

A complete certification combines identity, stated purpose, authorized recipient, signature, and retention instructions to create a defensible record of the request.

Certification statement

A clear declarative sentence that the requester has a permissible purpose under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and applicable state law.

Permissible purpose

A selectable field identifying the legal basis (employment, tenancy, credit, insurance underwriting, government benefit eligibility) for ordering the consumer report.

Subject identification

Full legal name, date of birth, and other identifiers sufficient to match the consumer report to the correct individual.

Authorized recipient

Name and position of the person or organization permitted to receive and act on the report, limiting distribution and reuse.

Signature and date

Signature block for the certifying official with a dated acknowledgment that the use is limited and compliant with law.

Retention note

Instructions for how long the certification and related ordering records will be retained for audit and defense purposes.

Step-by-step: completing the certification

Follow these steps to create a compliant, auditable certification before ordering any consumer report.

01

Confirm authority: Verify you have legal authority to request the report.
02

Identify purpose: Select the appropriate permissible purpose in the form.
03

Enter subject details: Provide full name, DOB, and identifiers.
04

Sign and record: Sign electronically or physically and save the record.

Where the completed certification goes next

A certification accompanies the consumer report order and is retained by the requester and the reporting agency per policy.

Attach to order: Include the certification with the report request to the consumer reporting agency.
Agency retention: The reporting agency keeps a copy as part of its transaction record.
Requester retention: The requester retains the certification for audit and dispute defense.
Limited distribution: Only authorized recipients receive the report and certification.

Configuring an online workflow for this certification

Design the digital workflow so required fields and signers are enforced and an audit trail is recorded automatically.

Field	Configuration
Permissible Purpose	Required dropdown; single selection only
Identity Fields	Required: name, DOB, SSN last 4 optional
Signature	Required signer field with date
Audit Trail	Enable IP, timestamp, and action log

Digital signing and submission platform basics

Choose a platform that enforces required fields, captures a robust audit trail, and supports secure storage for certifications.

Authentication: Email or SMS-based
Document formats: PDF and DOCX support
Integrations: CRM and HR systems

Platforms with templates, conditional fields, and tamper-evident storage reduce manual errors; evaluate provider compliance (ESIGN, UETA) and BAA availability for healthcare contexts.

Required data elements to include on the certification

Name: Full legal

Date of birth: MM/DD/YYYY

Permissible purpose: Employment, tenancy, credit

Requesting entity: Legal business name

Authorized recipient: Name and title

Signature date: MM/DD/YYYY

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing the certification

Using vague or catch-all language for purpose instead of a specific permissible purpose increases compliance risk and may trigger follow-up from the reporting agency.
Mismatched consumer identifiers (name variations, incorrect DOB) lead to incorrect matches or delays and may require reauthorization from the consumer.
Allowing broad distribution or unnamed recipients can violate the limited-use requirement and increase exposure to liability under consumer protection laws.
Failing to retain the certification alongside the report order removes the documentary proof needed to defend disputes and regulatory inquiries.

Consequences of incorrect or missing certification

Regulatory liability: Civil claims under FCRA

Statutory damages: Potential consumer damages

Administrative fines: Enforcement actions possible

Contract risk: Third-party agreements breached

Operational delays: Orders may be rejected

Reputational harm: Loss of consumer trust

Timing expectations and processing notes

Be aware of timing triggers when requesting consumer reports and retaining certifications for compliance and dispute handling.

Before ordering report:

Certification must be completed and available

At time of decision:

Record the decision date and basis

Dispute window:

Retain documentation during dispute resolution

Retention start:

Retention begins on signing date

Access requests:

Provide copies promptly when law requires

Sample eSignature provider comparison for certifying consumer report purposes

Comparison of common pricing and feature criteria across leading eSignature providers. Confirm current plan details with each vendor before purchase.

	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	Available on paid plans	Available	Available	Available	Available
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes (BAA available)	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Frequently asked questions about certification and electronic submission

Answers to common implementation and compliance questions relating to permissible purpose certifications and electronic execution.

Need help? Contact support

Can this certification be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are acceptable when they meet the ESIGN Act and applicable UETA requirements: demonstrate signer intent, consent to transact electronically, attribution, and record retention capability.
What qualifies as a permissible purpose?
Permissible purposes generally include employment, tenancy screening, credit underwriting, insurance underwriting, and other uses authorized by the Fair Credit Reporting Act; select the single purpose that matches your intent.
Is notarization required for the certification?
Not typically. Most consumer report certifications do not require notarization, though specific state or contract requirements may impose additional authentication.
How long must the certification be retained?
Retain the certification for the life of the transaction plus at least three years; healthcare contexts must meet HIPAA retention rules of six years where applicable.
Who can sign the certification?
An authorized representative of the requesting entity or an individual with delegated authority should sign; maintain documentation of the signer’s authority as part of the record.
How do I revoke or limit the certification?
Revoke or limit distribution by rescinding authorization in writing and notifying the reporting agency; maintain a record of the revocation and follow any contractual notice obligations.

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