Can ACORD 35 be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures on certificates are generally enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and state UETA laws, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention requirements are met.

Is notarization required for ACORD 35?

No. ACORD 35 certificates typically do not require notarization. If a contracting party specifically requests notarization or RON, comply with applicable state notary rules and remote notarization statutes.

What if the insured's name differs from the policy?

A name mismatch can invalidate reliance. Always verify the insured name against the policy declarations and correct the certificate to match the official policyholder name.

How quickly should an updated certificate be issued?

Issue corrected or renewed certificates promptly—ideally within one to three business days of notification—to avoid project delays and contractual noncompliance.

Does ACORD 35 replace the full policy?

No. ACORD 35 is a summary certificate for verification; the insurance policy itself governs coverage terms, exclusions, and claims handling.

What documentation should I retain?

Retain the signed certificate, issuance audit trail, and any endorsement documents for the recommended retention period and in accordance with IRS, HIPAA, and contract requirements.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Insurance
Insurance WC Acord 35 Form

Insurance WC Acord 35 Form

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

WORKERS' COMPENSATION AND EMPLOYERS' LIABILITY CERTIFICATE (ACORD 35)

Producer / Agent

Producer Name Producer Address

Contact:

Phone:

Email:

Insured

Insured Name Mailing Address Location(s) of Operations

Policy Information

Insurer(s) Affording Coverage:

Policy Number:

Effective:

Expires:

Limits

Workers' Compensation:

Employers' Liability - Each Accident:

Employers' Liability - Disease (Each Employee):

Employers' Liability - Policy Limit:

Coverages and Options

The policy(ies) indicated provide the following coverages (check applicable):
Workers' Compensation - Statutory Employers' Liability Voluntary Compensation Stop-Gap Coverage Other:

Classification / Payroll

NCCI / Class Code(s)

Number of Employees:

Annual Payroll:

State(s) Covered:

Description of Operations / Locations / Vehicles

Exclusions and Endorsements

The following endorsements, restrictions or exclusions apply to the coverage afforded by the policy(ies) shown above. Any deviation from standard workers' compensation statutory coverage, punitive damages exclusions, or limitations on employers' liability must be expressly stated below.

Beneficiary Designation (Death Benefits)

The following beneficiary designation applies for payment of death benefits under the workers' compensation policy where permitted by law. This does not create any right in excess of the policy terms.

Beneficiary Name

Relationship:

Percentage:

Claims Contact / Notices

Claims Contact Name

Claims Phone:

Claims Email:

Certificate Holder / Additional Insured

Certificate Holder Name Certificate Holder Address

Cancellation / Notice

It is understood and agreed that the issuing insurer will endeavor to provide written notice to the certificate holder prior to cancellation when required by policy terms. However, failure to provide such notice shall impose no obligation or liability upon the insurer, its agents or representatives. This certificate does not amend, extend or alter the coverage afforded by the policies described herein.

Declaration and Certification

The undersigned, on behalf of the insured named above, certifies that the information contained herein is true and complete to the best of the signatory's knowledge and that the policy(ies) described provide the coverage indicated. This certificate is issued as a matter of information only and confers no rights upon the certificate holder. Coverage is subject to all terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy(ies).

Accuracy Confirmation

I certify that the foregoing information is accurate and that I am authorized by the insured to execute this certificate:

Authorized Representative Title

Applicant Name:

By:

Date:

What the Insurance WC Acord 35 Form Is

The Insurance WC ACORD 35 Form is a standardized certificate used to show evidence of workers' compensation insurance coverage for a named insured. It summarizes carrier name, policy number, policy period, coverage limits and class codes so third parties can confirm protection without reviewing the full policy. Commonly requested by contractors, owners, and vendors, ACORD 35 streamlines verification for contracting, leasing, licensing, and subcontracting relationships while preserving the detailed insurance policy as the controlling document.

Why Accurate ACORD 35 Certificates Matter

A correct ACORD 35 avoids coverage gaps, reduces contract disputes, and satisfies third-party proof-of-insurance requirements. It protects both the insured and the certificate requestor by clarifying limits, policy periods, and any applicable endorsements.

Who Typically Prepares and Receives ACORD 35 Certificates

Common parties involved in completing and relying on an ACORD 35 are varied across industries and risk roles.

Insurance agents and brokers who issue certificates to confirm client coverage for third parties.
General contractors, property owners, and procurement teams who require proof of workers' compensation coverage.
Self-insured employers and HR teams who manage internal compliance and vendor onboarding.

Understanding these roles helps you route requests and maintain compliance with contract terms and insurer rules.

Core Components of an ACORD 35 Workers’ Compensation Certificate

A professional ACORD 35 presents structured sections that make insurance facts obvious to recipients while linking to the underlying policy for legal terms.

Insured

Full legal name and mailing address of the insured party, matching the policy declarations to avoid ambiguity and ensure correct attribution.

Carrier

Name of the insurance company and mailing address, used by recipients to verify the issuing insurer and contact for confirmation if required.

Policy Information

Policy number, effective date and expiration date clearly stated for confirmation of active coverage during the relevant project or contract period.

Coverage Details

Limits and classifications for workers' compensation and employer liability, including numeric limits and any statutory jurisdiction notations.

Endorsements

Any endorsements or additional insured language that modify coverage scope; explicit endorsement text or reference must be included.

Remarks

Free-text remarks or special conditions such as waiver of subrogation, cancellation notice terms, or certificate holder instructions.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete an ACORD 35

Follow these steps to create a clear, accurate certificate and deliver it to the requestor.

01

Gather policy details: Collect carrier, policy number, and period.
02

Confirm insured name: Match the legal entity on the policy.
03

Enter limits and endorsements: Include numeric limits and special endorsements.
04

Sign and deliver: Obtain authorized signature and provide certificate copy.

Typical Workflow for Issuing an ACORD 35 Certificate

A streamlined certificate workflow reduces turnaround time and ensures coverage is verified before work begins.

Request: Recipient requests certificate with project details.
Agent verification: Broker confirms policy and endorsements with carrier.
Certificate creation: Agent populates ACORD 35 fields and signs.
Distribution: Send to certificate holder and retain copy.

Configuring an Online Certificate Workflow

Set up field mappings and routing rules in your document platform to automate issuance and recordkeeping.

Field	Configuration
Carrier Name	Auto-fill from policy database
Policy Number	Required field; validation pattern
Policy Period	Date range picker MM/DD/YYYY
Certificate Holder	Pre-fill or manual entry

Digital Delivery and Integration Considerations

Confirm your eSignature and document system supports secure templates, audit trails, and integrations before automating certificates.

Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace supported
File formats: PDF and DOCX templates supported
Authentication: Email, SMS code, or advanced auth

Security and Compliance Points to Verify

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest

Audit Trail: Detailed timestamp and IP logs

HIPAA Support: BAA available when required

21 CFR Part 11: Support for FDA-regulated records

SOC 2: SOC 2 Type II compliance

Accessibility: WCAG 2.0 Level AA compliant

Practical Tips for Accurate Certificates

Adopt repeatable checks and retention policies to reduce rework and contractual risk when issuing ACORD 35 certificates.

Verify names and IDs

Always confirm the insured's legal name against the policy declarations. Inaccurate names lead to invalid reliance and can delay project starts or trigger contract breaches.

Confirm effective dates

Check policy effective and expiry dates against the project schedule. Certificates issued outside the coverage window may not provide the required protection.

Record endorsements

Attach or reference any endorsements and additional insured language. Ambiguity in endorsement wording is a frequent source of claims disputes and denials.

Retain copies

Keep signed certificates and issuance logs centrally for at least the retention period applicable to your industry. Available proof eases claims and audit responses.

Typical Timing When Certificates Are Requested

Certificates are usually required around contract execution and before on-site work begins; response time expectations vary by industry and project.

Contract award:

Certificate often required before contract signing

Project start:

Needed prior to first on-site work

Renewal:

Obtain updated certificate at policy renewal

Endorsement change:

Issue corrected certificate after major endorsement

On request:

Provide within the timeframe specified by holder

Certificate Processing Milestones

Track these key stages from request through final distribution to avoid coverage lapses and administrative delays.

01

Request Received

Requestor submits certificate details and holder information.

02

Carrier Verification

Broker confirms policy status and endorsement availability with carrier.

03

Certificate Prepared

Agent populates ACORD 35 fields and notes endorsements.

04

Issue & File

Signed certificate issued to holder and retained in records.

Common Errors When Preparing ACORD 35 Certificates

Using an abbreviated or trade name for the insured instead of the policyholder's legal name, which can invalidate reliance by third parties.
Entering an incorrect policy number or truncated identifier that prevents carrier verification and causes recipients to withhold approval.
Failing to include or accurately describe endorsements and additional insured language that affect coverage for the certificate holder.
Not updating the certificate after a policy renewal or cancellation, creating an appearance of coverage where none exists.

Consequences of Incorrect or Misleading Certificates

Contract Risk: Breach of contract exposure

Coverage Gap: Claims may lack coverage

Regulatory Risk: Penalties or fines possible

Liability Transfer: Increased indemnity obligations

Reputational Harm: Vendor or broker reputation damage

Financial Loss: Out-of-pocket defense costs

How ACORD 35 Differs from Other Common ACORD Certificates

Compare ACORD forms to choose the correct certificate type for the coverage you must evidence.

Criteria	ACORD 35	ACORD 25
Purpose	workers' comp evidence	liability certificate
Typical Fields	policy#, class codes	policy#, limits
Notarization
eSignature Accepted

Comparing eSignature Providers for Issuing ACORD 35 Certificates

Overview of starting prices and key plan features for common eSignature vendors; signNow appears first per comparison conventions.

	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, no credit card	Varies by offer	Varies by offer	Varies by offer	Varies by offer
Bulk Send	Yes (Premium plan)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Use Cases: ACORD 35 in Practice

These scenarios illustrate typical reasons organizations request or issue an ACORD 35 certificate and the outcomes when done correctly.

Contractor Onboarding

A subcontractor was asked for proof of workers' comp before mobilization.

The broker matched the exact policy period and issued ACORD 35 the same day.
Rapid verification prevented work delays and ensured contractual compliance for the general contractor throughout the project term, reducing administrative hold-ups and avoiding potential liquidated damages.

Vendor Renewal

A vendor's coverage was expiring during a multi‑year lease period.

The risk manager requested an updated certificate at renewal.
The broker issued an updated ACORD 35 with endorsements attached, allowing the vendor to remain on-site uninterrupted and preserving the property's compliance with lease insurance requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Insurance WC ACORD 35 Form

Answers to common questions about e-signing, validity, and handling of ACORD 35 certificates in the United States.

Need help? Contact support

Can ACORD 35 be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures on certificates are generally enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and state UETA laws, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention requirements are met.
Is notarization required for ACORD 35?
No. ACORD 35 certificates typically do not require notarization. If a contracting party specifically requests notarization or RON, comply with applicable state notary rules and remote notarization statutes.
What if the insured's name differs from the policy?
A name mismatch can invalidate reliance. Always verify the insured name against the policy declarations and correct the certificate to match the official policyholder name.
How quickly should an updated certificate be issued?
Issue corrected or renewed certificates promptly—ideally within one to three business days of notification—to avoid project delays and contractual noncompliance.
Does ACORD 35 replace the full policy?
No. ACORD 35 is a summary certificate for verification; the insurance policy itself governs coverage terms, exclusions, and claims handling.
What documentation should I retain?
Retain the signed certificate, issuance audit trail, and any endorsement documents for the recommended retention period and in accordance with IRS, HIPAA, and contract requirements.

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