Are electronic signatures valid?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA laws, provided intent, consent, attribution, and reliable record retention are present.

When is notarization required?

Notarization is rarely required for standard service contracts; it is typically necessary only for specific instruments (e.g., deeds, some powers of attorney) or when a counterparty requests it.

How should I choose governing law?

Select the state whose courts and commercial law you prefer; common choices are the provider's or client’s home state. Governing law affects interpretation and venue for disputes.

What if a party changes legal name?

Amend the agreement or execute a short written amendment noting the name change and reference the original agreement to preserve continuity and enforceability.

How long must signed agreements be kept?

Retain executed agreements for the active contract term plus a minimum of three years for tax purposes; industry rules (e.g., HIPAA) may require longer retention.

Can the agreement be revoked after signing?

Revocation depends on contract terms and applicable law; termination provisions define post-signature rights, while unilateral revocation may breach the contract absent termination rights.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Client Relationship Agreement

Client Relationship Agreement

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

CLIENT RELATIONSHIP AGREEMENT

This Client Relationship Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of Effective Date: by and between Client Name: with principal address , and Service Provider Name: with principal address .

WHEREAS

WHEREAS, Client desires to engage Service Provider to perform certain professional services as set forth in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Service Provider has represented that it possesses the necessary qualifications, experience and abilities to perform the services described herein and is willing to provide such services to Client on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

1. SCOPE OF WORK

Service Provider shall perform the services and deliverables described below. The services shall be performed in a professional and workmanlike manner consistent with industry standards.

Detailed Scope of Work

2. PAYMENT TERMS

Client shall pay Service Provider in accordance with the following terms. All fees are exclusive of taxes unless otherwise stated. Service Provider is responsible for its own taxes unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Total Fee Payment Schedule / Invoicing

Invoices shall itemize services performed and expenses incurred and are due within the number of days specified in the invoice. If an invoice is not disputed in good faith in writing within ten (10) days of receipt, it shall be deemed accepted by Client.

Late Fee (if any)

3. TERM AND TERMINATION

This Agreement commences on Start Date: and shall continue until End Date: unless earlier terminated in accordance with this Section.

Termination Notice Period

Either party may terminate this Agreement for convenience upon prior written notice to the other party in the number of days specified above. Either party may terminate for material breach if the breaching party fails to cure the breach within thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice specifying the breach. Termination will not relieve Client of its obligation to pay for services performed and expenses incurred through the effective date of termination.

4. CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party (the "Receiving Party") shall keep confidential and shall not use or disclose to any third party any Confidential Information of the other party (the "Disclosing Party") except as necessary to perform its obligations under this Agreement or as required by law. Confidential Information includes non-public business, technical and financial information disclosed in oral, written or electronic form.

Mutual Confidentiality Check if obligations are mutual

Exceptions: Confidential Information does not include information that (a) is or becomes generally available to the public other than by a breach of this Agreement by the Receiving Party; (b) was in the Receiving Party’s possession prior to receipt from the Disclosing Party; (c) is rightfully received from a third party without restriction; or (d) is independently developed without use of the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information. Upon termination or upon written request, the Receiving Party shall return or destroy Confidential Information as directed by the Disclosing Party and certify in writing compliance with such obligations.

5. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR; ASSIGNMENT; INSURANCE

Service Provider is an independent contractor and not an employee of Client. Service Provider shall be solely responsible for all employment taxes, withholding, benefits and insurance for its personnel. Neither party may assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other, except that Client may assign to an affiliate or successor by operation of law provided Client notifies Service Provider in writing.

6. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

Except for willful misconduct or gross negligence, neither party shall be liable to the other for consequential, incidental, special or punitive damages. Each party shall indemnify and hold harmless the other from and against claims, liabilities, losses and expenses arising from its breach of this Agreement, negligent acts or willful misconduct in the performance of its obligations hereunder.

7. GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the chosen jurisdiction below, without regard to its conflict of laws rules.

Governing Jurisdiction

8. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT

This Agreement, including any exhibits and attachments expressly incorporated herein, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, whether written or oral. No amendment, modification or waiver shall be effective unless in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

9. MISCELLANEOUS

If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and the parties shall negotiate in good faith to replace the invalid provision with a valid provision achieving the parties' original intent. Notices under this Agreement shall be given in writing to the addresses set forth below.

Client Mailing Address Service Provider Mailing Address

Client Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Service Provider Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What a Client Relationship Agreement is and when it matters

A Client Relationship Agreement is a written contract that defines the working relationship between a service provider and a client, including scope of services, fees, timelines, deliverables, confidentiality, data handling, termination rights, and dispute resolution. The agreement sets expectations for performance, payment, and responsibilities, and serves as the primary reference if disagreements arise. While many clauses are negotiable, a clear, signed agreement reduces ambiguity about deliverables, billing, and liability and supports compliance with recordkeeping and industry-specific rules.

Why a clear Client Relationship Agreement protects both parties

A written agreement documents mutual expectations, reduces misunderstandings, and creates an enforceable record of rights and obligations. For consumer-facing or regulated activities, electronic execution must meet ESIGN (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA rules to be legally effective.

Who typically prepares and signs this agreement

Providers and clients across professional services use this agreement to define recurring or project work before services are delivered.

Small businesses and consultants — Establishes scope, payment terms, and deliverable milestones for client engagements.
Agencies and professional firms — Used to manage retainer arrangements, confidentiality, and IP ownership between parties.
Corporate procurement teams — Standardizes terms for recurring vendor services, SLAs, and indemnities.

Use the document as a baseline and adapt clauses for industry-specific obligations, regulatory requirements, or client-requested changes.

Core clauses to include in a professional agreement

A robust Client Relationship Agreement organizes essential legal and operational terms so both parties understand responsibilities and remedies.

Scope

Clearly define services, deliverables, milestones, acceptance criteria, and any excluded tasks to prevent scope creep and billing disputes.

Fees

Specify pricing model, rates, invoicing cadence, payment terms, late fees, expense reimbursement, and any retainers or deposits required.

Term & Termination

State the agreement length, renewal mechanics, termination for convenience or cause, notice periods, and post-termination obligations.

Confidentiality

Describe confidential information categories, permitted disclosures, exceptions, duration of confidentiality, and remedies for breaches.

Intellectual Property

Allocate ownership of pre-existing IP, newly created work product, licensing terms, and any assignment or work-for-hire provisions.

Limits & Indemnities

Include liability caps, disclaimers of indirect damages, indemnification obligations, and insurance requirements if applicable.

Step-by-step: completing and executing the agreement

Follow these steps to create a signed, enforceable Client Relationship Agreement and reduce execution friction.

01

Draft: Draft clear scope, fees, and term language.
02

Review: Have legal and finance review key clauses and tax impacts.
03

Confirm: Obtain internal approvals and final edits from both parties.
04

Execute: Sign electronically or in person, ensure proper authentication and record retention.

Setting up an online signing workflow

Configure a simple electronic workflow so signers receive, authenticate, sign, and receive copies automatically.

Field	Configuration
Document Upload	Upload a final PDF or DOCX; keep a master template for reuse.
Signature Fields	Place signature, initials, and date fields with required flags.
Authentication	Choose email link, SMS code, or stronger methods for identity verification.
Notifications	Enable signer reminders and completion emails to all parties.

Digital signing and e-submission considerations

Electronic execution requires a platform that preserves intent, attribution, and an audit trail to satisfy ESIGN and state laws.

File Types: PDF and DOCX
Integrations: CRM and cloud storage
Security: TLS and AES-256

Ensure your chosen solution supports required authentication, audit trails, and retention policies for regulatory compliance and future enforcement.

Where to send and how to submit the signed agreement

Use structured routing so executed copies reach legal, finance, and the counterparty and are stored in the appropriate repository.

To Legal: For contract repository and risk review storage.
To Finance: For invoicing setup and payment tracking.
To Client: Provide final signed PDF to the client and primary contact.
To Archive: Store original in secured document management for retention.

eSignature vendor pricing and feature snapshot

Common eSignature vendors and typical entry-level pricing for teams; signNow is listed first per comparison requirements.

	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	No	No	No	No
Bulk Send	Yes (Premium)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes (BAA)	Yes	Yes	No	No

Common preparation errors to avoid

Ambiguous scope descriptions that leave deliverables and acceptance criteria undefined, causing disputes over unpaid work or scope creep.
Using inconsistent party names or abbreviations across documents, which complicates enforcement and can invalidate matching tax or vendor records.
Failing to specify payment timing, late fees, or invoicing procedures, leading to delayed collections and differing expectations.
Neglecting data privacy or security clauses when handling sensitive information, risking regulatory exposure or client disputes.

Legal and financial risks of incomplete or incorrect agreements

Contractual Disputes: Costs of litigation and damages

Tax Consequences: Incorrect party data may trigger withholding or reporting issues

Regulatory Risk: HIPAA or industry fines may apply

Enforceability: Weak signature evidence can hinder enforcement

Reputational: Client dissatisfaction and loss of business

Operational: Project delays and scope disputes

Frequently asked questions about Client Relationship Agreements

Answers to common legal, execution, and retention questions when preparing or signing a Client Relationship Agreement.

Need help? Contact support

Are electronic signatures valid?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA laws, provided intent, consent, attribution, and reliable record retention are present.
When is notarization required?
Notarization is rarely required for standard service contracts; it is typically necessary only for specific instruments (e.g., deeds, some powers of attorney) or when a counterparty requests it.
How should I choose governing law?
Select the state whose courts and commercial law you prefer; common choices are the provider's or client’s home state. Governing law affects interpretation and venue for disputes.
What if a party changes legal name?
Amend the agreement or execute a short written amendment noting the name change and reference the original agreement to preserve continuity and enforceability.
How long must signed agreements be kept?
Retain executed agreements for the active contract term plus a minimum of three years for tax purposes; industry rules (e.g., HIPAA) may require longer retention.
Can the agreement be revoked after signing?
Revocation depends on contract terms and applicable law; termination provisions define post-signature rights, while unilateral revocation may breach the contract absent termination rights.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now