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Client Fact Find Declaration

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CLIENT FACT FIND DECLARATION

This Client Fact Find Declaration (the "Declaration") is made as of between Client Name: and Service Provider Name: .

WHEREAS

WHEREAS, Client seeks to disclose certain personal, financial and business information to Service Provider for the purpose of assessment, planning and the provision of professional services described in this Declaration; and

WHEREAS, Service Provider requires accurate fact-find information to design, recommend and deliver services and to establish engagement scope, fees and risk management measures; and

WHEREAS, the parties intend that the information supplied by Client and the terms set out in this Declaration form the basis of the professional relationship and the applicable terms of engagement between Client and Service Provider.

CLIENT DETAILS — FACT FIND

Date of Birth:

Phone:

Email:

BUSINESS / FINANCIAL PROFILE

RISK PROFILE & EXISTING ADVISORS

Risk Tolerance:

DOCUMENTS PROVIDED





SCOPE OF WORK

The Service Provider will rely on the facts and documents provided by Client to perform the services described below. The parties agree that the precise scope, deliverables and any exclusions will be recorded in writing and appended to this Declaration.

PAYMENT TERMS

Client agrees to pay Service Provider fees as set out below. All fees are exclusive of taxes unless otherwise stated. Service Provider may suspend services if invoices remain unpaid in accordance with this clause.

Reimbursable expenses incurred by Service Provider in the provision of services (travel, third-party reports, filing fees) will be charged to Client at cost and invoiced as incurred. Overdue amounts bear interest at the rate specified above and Service Provider's reasonable collection costs will be recoverable.

TERM AND TERMINATION

This Declaration commences on and continues until unless earlier terminated in accordance with this clause.

Either party may terminate for material breach if the breach is not remedied within the notice period. Termination will not relieve Client's obligation to pay fees for services performed up to the date of termination and reasonable wind-up costs.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party shall keep confidential all non-public information disclosed by the other party in connection with this Declaration and shall not disclose such information except to the extent necessary to carry out the purposes of the engagement, as required by law or with the prior written consent of the disclosing party. Recipient will use at least the same degree of care to protect such information as it uses to protect its own confidential information, but no less than reasonable care. The confidentiality obligations survive termination for a period of five years, except where a longer period is mandated by applicable law.

GOVERNING LAW

This Declaration is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of without regard to its conflict of laws principles. The parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of that jurisdiction for disputes arising out of or in connection with this Declaration.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Declaration, including any schedules or appendices executed by the parties, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter contained herein and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous representations, agreements and understandings, whether written or oral. No amendment will be effective unless in writing and signed by both parties.

CLIENT DECLARATION & CONSENT

By signing below, Client declares that to the best of Client's knowledge the information provided in this Declaration is true, accurate and complete. Client authorises Service Provider to rely upon the information supplied, to obtain verification from third parties and to disclose facts to third parties where necessary to perform the services or as required by law. Client acknowledges that failure to provide accurate information may affect the suitability of advice or services and may lead to termination of the engagement.

Client:

By:

Date:

Service Provider:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What the Client Fact Find Declaration Is

A Client Fact Find Declaration is a structured document used to collect and confirm a client’s identifying details, financial facts, and material disclosures before advice, onboarding, or a formal engagement. It records data such as legal name, contact details, tax identifiers, employment and income summaries, and relevant declarations about accuracy. The form supports due diligence, conflicts checks, and regulatory compliance when retained as a business record. Many organizations combine it with consent language, data-sharing permissions, and signature blocks to create a single source of truth for client intake.

Why accurate Client Fact Find Declarations matter

A complete declaration improves decision quality, documents consent, and creates an auditable intake trail for compliance. Accurate records reduce rework, support regulatory audits, and protect both parties by establishing agreed facts at the start of a relationship.

Why accurate Client Fact Find Declarations matter

Who typically completes the Client Fact Find Declaration

The form is used by professionals who must collect reliable client data before delivering services, and by clients who review and confirm their information.

  • Financial advisors and wealth managers who need verified income, asset and tax details before advice.
  • Legal professionals and paralegals collecting identity and case-related facts for matters and filings.
  • Lenders and mortgage brokers verifying borrower information and consent for credit and underwriting.

Use this form at onboarding, before major transactions, and whenever material client facts change to maintain an accurate record.

Typical signatories and their roles

Financial Advisor

An advisor or client intake specialist completes or reviews the Client Fact Find Declaration to confirm identity, source-of-funds, and financial objectives. They rely on the form for KYC, conflict checks, and to document suitability determinations before recommending products or services.

Legal Counsel

An attorney or compliance officer uses the declaration to gather client facts relevant to legal matters, verify representation authority, and attach supportive documentation. The record assists in meeting professional responsibility and retention obligations.

Essential data elements to include

Full legal name: First, middle, last
Date of birth: MM/DD/YYYY
Tax ID / SSN: TIN or SSN
Contact details: Address, phone, email
Financial summary: Assets, income bands
Declarations: Conflict and consent

Key legal risks from inaccurate declarations

Tax penalties: IRC §6721 applies
I-9 violations: 8 CFR §274a.2 fines
HIPAA breaches: 45 CFR §164 penalties
Professional liability: Malpractice exposure possible
Contract disputes: Enforceability challenged
Regulatory audit: Record deficiencies cited

Common preparation pitfalls to avoid

  • Entering a nickname or informal name that does not match government ID, causing verification delays and possible re-execution.
  • Skipping tax identifiers or entering an incorrect TIN, which can trigger backup withholding or information return penalties.
  • Failing to capture consent language for electronic delivery, which complicates consumer-facing e-consent requirements under ESIGN.
  • Not attaching supporting documents (IDs, pay stubs, account statements), creating incomplete records and longer processing times.

Step-by-step: completing the Client Fact Find Declaration

Follow these steps to collect, verify, and document client facts in a compliant and auditable way.

  • 01
    Gather identification: Collect government ID and verify name exactly.
  • 02
    Record financials: Enter income, assets, and liabilities with sources.
  • 03
    Capture consents: Include ESIGN consumer disclosure when electronic delivery applies.
  • 04
    Sign and store: Obtain signature, date, and retain audit trail.

How the declaration is routed and processed

Typical processing includes collection, verification, approval, signing, and secure retention with an audit trail for future reference.

  • Collection: Upload or populate form fields with client data.
  • Verification: Confirm IDs and financial documents match entries.
  • Approval: Internal reviewer signs off on completeness.
  • Retention: Store executed document in secure archive.

Core sections of a professional declaration

A well-constructed Client Fact Find Declaration groups related items into clear sections so reviewers can verify accuracy quickly and consistently.

Identification

Collect the client’s full legal name, date of birth, and government ID details. Ensure exact name matching to avoid verification failures with tax and identity checks, and record the ID type and number when required for compliance.

Contact information

Capture street address, mailing address if different, email and daytime phone. Use full USPS city and state names and a ZIP code to support legal service requirements and accurate contact records.

Tax and regulatory data

Include TIN/SSN and withholding status, residency declarations, and any tax treaty or foreign status notes. Accurate tax fields prevent backup withholding and aid correct information reporting.

Financial snapshot

Summarize income ranges, asset categories, and liabilities with supporting document references. Use rounded figures or banded answers where exact amounts are not available, and note documentation provided.

Declarations and consents

Present plain-language statements for conflicts, privacy notices, and consent to electronic delivery. When consumer-facing, include ESIGN disclosure language to document consent to receive records electronically.

Signature and verification

Provide dated signature blocks, witness or notary fields if required, and space for reviewer initials. Include fields for method of authentication and audit-trail capture for e-signed submissions.

Practical tips for accurate and efficient completion

Follow these practices to reduce errors and speed processing of the declaration.

Match government ID
Enter the client’s name exactly as on the ID. Mismatched names may invalidate checks, delay onboarding, and require a corrected declaration.
Use standard formats
Apply MM/DD/YYYY for dates, full state names, and consistent numeric formats. Standardization prevents parsing errors during automated extraction.
Attach supporting evidence
Include copies of ID, recent pay statements, and bank statements as appropriate. Missing attachments are a common cause of incomplete files and regulatory questions.
Record reviewer actions
Log who verified each item and when. A clear reviewer trail reduces internal disputes and demonstrates procedural control during audits.

Typical timelines and processing expectations

Timelines vary by use case; below are common deadlines and expected processing windows.

W-9 / tax identifier:

Provide upon payer request to avoid backup withholding.

1099-NEC reporting:

Recipient and IRS copies due Jan 31 each year.

Form retention:

Keep intake records at least three years for IRS purposes.

Internal review:

Allow 3–5 business days for verification and approval.

RON / notary:

Notarization scheduling varies; plan for 1–7 days.

eSignature vendor comparison for Client Fact Find workflows

Key plan and capability differences can affect per-document cost and compliance. The table below lists common commercial options with signNow first.

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

Practical examples of use

Below are two concise real-world examples showing how organizations use the Client Fact Find Declaration in everyday workflows.

Real Estate Closing

A brokerage collects client identity and funding details during offer acceptance

  • consolidates supporting IDs and proof-of-funds
  • the completed declaration is attached to the contract file and retained for the transaction lifecycle and audit.

Wealth Onboarding

An advisory firm uses the declaration to capture risk profile, income bands, and beneficiary information

  • attaches tax forms and statements
  • the signed record supports suitability decisions, KYC checks, and regulatory retention requirements.

Frequently asked questions and troubleshooting

Common questions about completing, signing, and storing the declaration, with practical answers to reduce rework and compliance risk.


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