Is an electronic signature legally valid?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally binding under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention requirements are met.

When is notarization required?

Notarization is required when the receiving party or state law demands it, commonly for property or certain banking forms; requirements vary by state and filing purpose.

Who can sign on behalf of an entity?

An authorized officer or person with delegated authority may sign; attach a corporate resolution or certificate of incumbency when the counterparty needs proof of signatory authority.

How do I correct a signed declaration?

If unsigned, update and re-execute. If already signed, prepare an amendment or corrective declaration signed by the same parties; do not alter the original signed copy.

How should I store the final document?

Retain the signed PDF and audit trail in secure storage with access controls. Follow industry retention rules such as IRC §6501(a) for tax records and 45 CFR §164.530(j) for HIPAA materials.

Can a declaration be revoked or canceled?

Yes, if the original includes revocation terms or signers execute a written revocation. Absent express terms, rely on applicable contract or corporate governance rules to terminate authority.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Joint Business Declaration

Joint Business Declaration

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

JOINT BUSINESS DECLARATION

This Joint Business Declaration (the "Declaration") is entered into and made effective as of by and between the undersigned parties.

Parties

Party A — Client Name: Entity Type:

Individual Corporation LLC Partnership Other

Address: Tax Identification Number: Party B — Client Name: Entity Type:

Individual Corporation LLC Partnership Other

Address: Tax Identification Number:

Recitals

WHEREAS, Party A and Party B (collectively, the "Parties") desire to operate a joint business enterprise for the purpose of conducting the activities described below and to set forth their mutual rights, duties, capital contributions and governance in connection with that enterprise; and

WHEREAS, the Parties intend that the business shall be conducted under the name with its principal place of business at for the purpose of .

WHEREAS, the Parties acknowledge that final terms of management, profit distribution and contributions are set forth in this Declaration and such other contemporaneous writings as the Parties execute.

Declaration of Joint Enterprise and Scope of Work

The Parties hereby declare that they will act jointly in the formation, capitalization and operation of the business described above (the "Business"). The Parties acknowledge that this Declaration governs only the Parties' relationship with each other with respect to the Business and does not create an employment relationship except where explicitly identified.

Scope of Work:

Capital Contributions and Payment Terms

The Parties agree to the initial capital contributions and payment schedule as follows. Contributions represent consideration for the Parties' initial ownership interests absent separate written agreement.

Party A Contribution (amount): Party B Contribution (amount): Total Agreed Capital: Payment Schedule and Mechanism:

Late payments shall incur interest and administrative charges as set forth below.

Late Fee: Late Fee Grace Period (days): Payment Method:

Term and Termination

The term of this Declaration shall commence on the Start Date and continue until the End Date unless earlier terminated pursuant to this section.

Start Date: End Date:

Termination Notice Period (days):

Either Party may terminate this Declaration for material breach by the other Party if the breaching Party fails to cure such breach within the notice period specified above following written notice. Termination shall not relieve the breaching Party of liabilities incurred prior to termination.

Confidentiality

Each Party acknowledges that, in the course of performing obligations under this Declaration, it may receive Confidential Information of the other Party. "Confidential Information" means all non-public information disclosed in any form relating to the Business, financial information, proprietary processes, customer lists and pricing. Each Party shall:

(a) hold Confidential Information in strict confidence and not disclose it to any third party except as necessary to perform obligations under this Declaration and subject to customary confidentiality obligations; (b) use Confidential Information only for purposes of the Business; and (c) take reasonable measures to protect Confidential Information from unauthorized disclosure. Confidential Information shall not include information that becomes publicly known through no fault of the receiving Party, is rightfully obtained by the receiving Party from a third party without restriction, or is independently developed by the receiving Party.

Management, Records and Taxes

Management authority, voting and day-to-day operations shall be exercised as agreed by the Parties in writing. The Parties shall keep complete and accurate books and records for the Business. Records shall be made available upon reasonable request to the other Party. Tax matters shall be handled in accordance with applicable law and the Parties' elected tax treatment; each Party shall cooperate to permit accurate and timely filings.

Governing Law

This Declaration shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of without regard to principles of conflicts of law.

Representations, Warranties and Indemnity

Each Party represents and warrants that it has full power and authority to enter into this Declaration and to perform its obligations. Each Party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the other Party against liabilities arising from the indemnifying Party's breach of this Declaration, negligence or willful misconduct, subject to any limitations of liability the Parties may expressly agree in writing.

Entire Agreement

This Declaration, together with any schedules or contemporaneous written agreements executed by the Parties, contains the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous oral and written agreements and understandings. Any modification of this Declaration must be in writing and signed by both Parties.

Miscellaneous Provisions

If any provision of this Declaration is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. Neither Party may assign its rights or obligations under this Declaration without the prior written consent of the other Party, except to an affiliate or successor in interest by reason of merger or sale of substantially all assets, provided that the assignee assumes the assigning Party's obligations hereunder.

Additional Provisions (optional):

Party A — Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Party B — Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What a Joint Business Declaration Is and When It’s Used

A Joint Business Declaration is a written statement signed by two or more business owners, partners, or authorized representatives to record shared facts, joint intent, mutual obligations, or the existence of a business relationship for a specific purpose. Common uses include documenting shared ownership percentages, naming authorized signatories for a bank account, confirming joint applications or certifications, or establishing cooperative obligations between entities. The document can be standalone or appended to contracts, applications, or corporate records and is often required by banks, government agencies, or counterparties to verify combined authority or facts.

Why a Clear Joint Business Declaration Matters

A well-prepared Joint Business Declaration clarifies authority, reduces downstream disputes, and creates a single contemporaneous record of shared facts or responsibilities. It supports administrative tasks such as bank onboarding, license applications, or procurement and can simplify audits and compliance checks.

Who Typically Prepares and Signs This Declaration

The Joint Business Declaration is used across small businesses, partnerships, corporate departments, and joint ventures to document agreed facts and delegated authority.

Small business owners and partners completing joint account or application requirements.
Corporate signatories documenting delegated authority for a specific transaction or account.
Legal or compliance teams creating an official record for audits, licensing, or regulatory filings.

Use by internal administrators, authorized officers, or external counsel ensures consistent naming, signature authority, and contact points for the entity or collaboration.

Step-by-step: Completing a Joint Business Declaration

Follow a consistent sequence when preparing the declaration to ensure accuracy, signatory authority, and admissibility in administrative or legal processes.

01

1. Identify Parties: List full legal names and entity types exactly as on formation documents.
02

2. State Purpose: Define why parties sign and what facts or authority the declaration records.
03

3. Specify Authority: Describe actions authorized, limits, and any effective dates or expirations.
04

4. Sign and Date: All authorized signers must sign, date, and include printed names and titles.

eSignature vendor comparison for signing and storing this declaration

Compare common capabilities and starting prices for eSignature providers when you plan to sign, notarize, or archive Joint Business Declarations electronically.

	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 required	Trial availability varies by vendor and region	Trial availability varies by vendor and region	Trial availability varies by vendor and region	Trial availability varies by vendor and region
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No envelope cap	Limit 100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan and vendor	Varies by plan and vendor	Varies by plan and vendor

How to configure a simple eSigning workflow for this declaration

Set up a minimal workflow that assigns roles, fields, and verification steps before sending the declaration for signatures.

Field	Configuration
Signer Roles	Assign Named Signer 1, Named Signer 2, and Witness role where required.
Signature Fields	Place signature, printed name, title, and date fields for each signer.
Authentication	Use email link plus SMS code or other MFA for higher assurance when available.
Notifications	Enable reminders and upload final signed PDF to secure storage automatically.

Technical considerations for eSigning and eSubmission

Confirm the platform supports secure PDF signing, audit trails, and any required authentication or notarization methods before sending the declaration.

File formats: PDF, DOCX supported
Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace
Authentication: Email, SMS, KBA options

Typical electronic signing flow for the declaration

The electronic signing process follows predictable steps from upload through final audit trail capture; ensure each step is completed before closing the record.

Upload Document: Sender uploads the draft declaration to the eSignature platform.
Place Fields: Add signature, name, title, and date fields for each party.
Authenticate Signers: Select authentication level (email link, SMS, or ID verification).
Complete Signing: Signers execute signatures and receive the signed copy with audit trail.

Timelines and processing expectations for the declaration

Processing times depend on signer responsiveness and whether notarization or additional verification is required; plan for potential delays in advance.

Immediate Execution:

Electronic signatures capture timestamp on completion, often within minutes.

Typical Turnaround:

Most fully executed declarations return within 24–72 hours with eSign workflows.

Notarization Delay:

If notarization or RON is needed, expect 1–5 business days additional processing.

Agency Processing:

Bank or government acceptance may add 5–15 business days.

Certificate Retention:

Retain audit trail and signed PDF indefinitely unless policy says otherwise.

Potential penalties and legal risks of an incorrect declaration

Invalid Authority: May be rejected by banks

Contract Dispute: Conflicting statements could lead to litigation

Regulatory Noncompliance: Fines or enforcement actions possible

Tax Consequences: Incorrect ownership data can trigger IRS inquiries

Delayed Transactions: Processing stalls while re-verification occurs

Recordkeeping Gaps: Loss of evidentiary support in audits

Common errors that slow review or acceptance

Using abbreviated or trade names instead of full legal names causes mismatches with bank and government records and often triggers rejection or a request for corrected documentation.
Omitting signer titles or failure to state signer authority prevents relying parties from confirming that the person signing has authority to bind the entity.
Failing to include an effective date or duration leaves ambiguity about when jointly declared rights or obligations begin and may complicate enforcement.
Not recording witness or notarization details when required leads to invalidation for particular filings or real estate-related matters and necessitates re-execution.

What a professional Joint Business Declaration should include

A complete declaration presents clear facts, signer authority, dates, and supporting details to reduce ambiguity and support administrative or legal reliance.

Parties

Full legal names, entity types, and business addresses for every party to establish identity and enable reliable cross-checking with official records.

Purpose

A short, specific statement describing the fact or authority being declared so reviewers can immediately understand the declaration’s scope and intent.

Authority

A clear description of what signers are authorized to do, including limits, thresholds, and any transactional exclusions to avoid overbroad delegations.

Effective Terms

Effective date, duration, renewal, and termination conditions that define the declaration’s lifecycle and interaction with other agreements.

Signatures

Signature block with printed name, title, and date for each authorized signer; include witness or notary blocks if required by recipient or law.

Attachments

Supporting exhibits such as resolutions, formation documents, or certificate of incumbency that corroborate authority and reduce follow-up requests.

Frequently asked questions about Joint Business Declarations

Answers to common questions about validity, signatures, notarization, corrections, storage, and revocation for Joint Business Declarations.

Need help? Contact support

Is an electronic signature legally valid?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally binding under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention requirements are met.
When is notarization required?
Notarization is required when the receiving party or state law demands it, commonly for property or certain banking forms; requirements vary by state and filing purpose.
Who can sign on behalf of an entity?
An authorized officer or person with delegated authority may sign; attach a corporate resolution or certificate of incumbency when the counterparty needs proof of signatory authority.
How do I correct a signed declaration?
If unsigned, update and re-execute. If already signed, prepare an amendment or corrective declaration signed by the same parties; do not alter the original signed copy.
How should I store the final document?
Retain the signed PDF and audit trail in secure storage with access controls. Follow industry retention rules such as IRC §6501(a) for tax records and 45 CFR §164.530(j) for HIPAA materials.
Can a declaration be revoked or canceled?
Yes, if the original includes revocation terms or signers execute a written revocation. Absent express terms, rely on applicable contract or corporate governance rules to terminate authority.

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