Payer identity
Full legal name and contact information of the account holder, as used on bank records, to ensure attribution and reduce mismatch-related returns.
A complete, well-worded PAD authorization reduces payment failures, supports dispute resolution, and provides an auditable record of consent that banks and courts can rely on.
The form is used by organizations that collect payments by electronic debit and by the individuals or business account holders who authorize those debits.
Ensuring correct roles and clear signatory authority on the PAD Form reduces later disputes and supports compliance with payment network rules.
Full legal name and contact information of the account holder, as used on bank records, to ensure attribution and reduce mismatch-related returns.
Routing number, account number, account type (checking/savings), and any bank-specific identifiers required for ACH to prevent misdirection of funds.
Clear description of amount, frequency, start date, and end date or renewal terms so both parties understand when and how much will be debited.
Plain-language consumer disclosure that confirms consent to electronic debits and explains the right to revoke authorization and how to do so.
Where receipts and notices will be sent, and who to contact for questions, supporting reconciliation and dispute prevention.
Spaces for signer name, title, signature, date, and a unique form ID that together form the evidentiary trail for future inquiries.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Bank Details | Required text fields with validation patterns |
| Signature Field | Mandatory e-signature with date stamp |
| Authentication | Email verification or SMS code |
| Retention | Encrypted storage and exportable audit trail |
The Client PAD Form can be distributed by email, secure link, in-person signing, or integrated within billing systems; choose methods that preserve consent evidence.
Ensure every distribution path captures signer identity, timestamp, and an immutable audit trail to meet banking and compliance expectations.
Processing often takes 3–7 business days before first debit.
Notify clients of the first debit date at least several days in advance.
Frequency must match what the authorization specifies.
Allow banks one or more processing cycles to implement stop requests.
Keep signed records accessible for the full dispute window.
An individual account holder or joint account signer who is named on the bank account and able to provide photographic ID and contact details for verification. The signer’s printed name, signature, and date must appear on the PAD Form.
An officer or authorized representative who can sign for a legal entity; include title and evidence of authority such as corporate resolution or signature card for the account to demonstrate signing authority.
Save signed PAD forms as PDF and retain the audit trail in an exportable format (PDF/A or CSV) for bookkeeping and dispute response.
Attach proof of identity, a voided check, or bank letter that corroborates routing and account numbers to reduce bank returns.
Keep redundant encrypted backups with access controls and a clear retrieval process for legal requests.
Preserve the signing certificate or chain-of-custody metadata showing signer email, IP, timestamp, and any authentication steps taken.
| Criteria | PAD (ACH) | Credit Card Authorization |
|---|---|---|
| Use case | recurring bank debit | card-based charges |
| Settlement time | 1–3 business days | instant authorization |
| Chargeback risk | bank reversals possible | card chargebacks common |
| Recordkeeping | mandate retention needed | authorization code stored |
| 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 | Trial available | Trial available | Trial available | Trial available |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |