Is an electronic signature valid?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention requirements are satisfied.

When is notarization required?

Notarization depends on the document's legal purpose and state rules. Real property or certain statutory authorizations often require notarization; verify local notary and witness requirements before execution.

Who may sign the document?

Only persons with actual authority may sign. For entities, confirm corporate officer authority or provide a board resolution or power of attorney to avoid later challenges.

How do I revoke an authority?

Issue a written revocation signed by the same authority level and distribute it to all affected parties. Record the revocation and, if applicable, follow any contract-specified notice procedures.

What if names or dates are inconsistent?

Inconsistent names, titles, or dates can render the authorization ambiguous. Correct errors formally via an executed amendment or reissue the document to ensure continuity.

How should executed copies be stored?

Store the signed document in a secure system with an audit trail. Maintain retention per regulatory requirements (IRS, HIPAA, SEC) and ensure records are reproducible on demand.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Legal
Legal Authority to Proceed

Legal Authority to Proceed

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

LEGAL AUTHORITY TO PROCEED

This Legal Authority to Proceed (the "Authority") is made as of by and between Client Name: and Agent Name: .

Client Address Agent Address

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Client requires that certain actions be taken to advance, manage, protect or enforce the Client's interests relating to the matter described below; and

WHEREAS, Agent represents that it has the experience, qualifications and authority necessary to perform such actions on behalf of Client and is willing to accept the authority and obligations set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, Client desires to grant Agent limited authority to proceed as set forth in this Authority and Agent agrees to act under the terms and limitations set forth below.

Matter / Project Description

NOW, THEREFORE

In consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, Client and Agent agree as follows:

1. AUTHORITY GRANTED

Client hereby authorizes Agent to take the actions checked below and any reasonably necessary and ancillary acts in furtherance thereof, subject to the limitations set forth in this Authority. The scope of authority is limited to the matter described above unless expressly amended in writing.

Institute, prosecute, defend or settle litigation, claims, demands, administrative proceedings or enforcement actions Negotiate, compromise and execute settlement agreements or releases Commence, supervise or direct work related to the project, including mobilization and site access Enter, inspect and access property, facilities, records or documents as necessary Execute documents, contracts, change orders and waivers necessary to carry out the foregoing Retain subcontractors, experts or consultants on terms Agent deems reasonable Incur reasonable costs and expenses subject to the monetary limit set below

Monetary Limit (if any)

2. SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

Agent shall act only within the express authority granted herein. Agent may not: (a) create any transfer of title to Client property; (b) settle claims or encumber Client assets beyond the monetary limit without prior written approval; or (c) make representations or warranties on behalf of Client beyond those expressly provided in this Authority.

Any settlement, contract, or other binding obligation executed by Agent that exceeds the monetary limit or expands the scope of this Authority is void and of no force or effect unless ratified by Client in a separate signed writing.

3. TERM; TERMINATION

This Authority is effective as of the Effective Date above and shall remain in effect until , unless earlier revoked in writing by Client or terminated in accordance with the terms of this Authority.

Termination or revocation shall not affect Agent's authority with respect to acts commenced prior to receipt of written notice of termination and reasonably necessary to conclude such acts in a commercially reasonable manner.

4. COMPENSATION AND COSTS

Client shall be responsible for fees and expenses incurred by Agent in carrying out the authorized actions pursuant to a separate fee agreement or, if none, at rates reasonably agreed between the parties. Agent shall obtain Client's prior written approval for any single expenditure or fee item exceeding the monetary limit set forth above.

Special Billing or Fee Instructions

5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each party represents and warrants that it has the full right, power and authority to enter into this Authority and to perform its obligations hereunder, that the individual executing this Authority on its behalf is duly authorized to do so, and that this Authority constitutes a valid and binding obligation enforceable in accordance with its terms.

6. INDEMNIFICATION

Client agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Agent harmless from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of actions taken by Agent within the scope of the authority granted herein, except to the extent such claims result from Agent's gross negligence or willful misconduct.

7. CONFIDENTIALITY

Agent shall maintain in confidence all non-public information obtained from Client in connection with this Authority and shall not disclose such information except as reasonably necessary to perform the authorized actions, to comply with legal process, or as otherwise required by law. Confidential information shall not be used by Agent for any purpose other than performance under this Authority.

8. NOTICES

All notices, requests, consents and other communications required or permitted under this Authority shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses set forth below or to such other address as either party may specify by written notice to the other.

Notice to Client - Contact Name Notice to Client - Address Notice to Agent - Contact Name Notice to Agent - Address

9. GOVERNING LAW

This Authority shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state identified below without regard to conflict of law principles. The parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in that state for any dispute arising out of this Authority.

Governing State

10. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SEVERABILITY

This Authority constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings and communications, whether oral or written. If any provision of this Authority is determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

11. AMENDMENTS; WAIVER; COUNTERPARTS

No amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Authority shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both parties. No failure or delay by either party in exercising any right shall operate as a waiver of that right. This Authority may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

12. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

Additional Terms or Conditions

By executing this Authority, Client acknowledges that it has read and understands the scope of authority granted, that Agent will act in Client's best interests subject to the terms herein, and that this Authority creates obligations binding on Client as provided above.

Client Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Agent Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What the Legal Authority to Proceed is and when it applies

A Legal Authority to Proceed is a written authorization that confirms a party has the legal right to begin specified work, transactions, or project activities. It identifies the granting party, the authorized recipient, the scope of permitted actions, effective dates, and any preconditions such as permits or insurance. This document is commonly used in construction, regulatory compliance, procurement, and professional services to create a clear, auditable record that work may begin without further verbal confirmation.

Why a clear Authority to Proceed matters

A documented Authority to Proceed reduces ambiguity about scope, timing, and liability, and creates an evidentiary record for audits or disputes. It helps coordinate contractors, vendors, and internal stakeholders while establishing who bears responsibility for compliance with conditions precedent.

Typical users and signers for this authorization

Organizations use an Authority to Proceed when formal approval is required before work or procurement begins.

Project owners and general contractors who must document client or regulatory approval before mobilization.
Procurement and purchasing teams authorizing vendors to source goods or services under contract terms.
Department heads or executives granting internal teams the green light to perform regulated activities.

Filling out a Legal Authority to Proceed: step-by-step

Complete the form in sequence to ensure consent, scope, conditions, and signature authority are recorded accurately.

01

Identify parties: Enter full legal names and contact details for grantor and grantee.
02

Define scope: Describe permitted actions, limits, and any excluded activities.
03

Set dates: Record effective and expiration dates using MM/DD/YYYY format.
04

Sign and certify: Authorized signers date and sign; include notarization if required.

Typical routing and approval flow

A standard approval workflow captures document issuance, internal approvals, external acceptance, and final recording.

Draft: Create the document and attach exhibits or SOWs.
Internal review: Legal and procurement review terms and conditions.
External signature: Send to grantee for signature and acknowledgement.
Record: Store the executed copy in project records and file as required.

Configuring an electronic workflow for this form

Set up fields, routing order, and signer authentication before sending to ensure legal validity and operational clarity.

Field	Configuration
Signer order	Specify sequential or parallel routing as needed
Required fields	Mark Grantor, Grantee, Dates, and Scope as mandatory
Authentication level	Choose email, SMS code, or higher KBA for verification
Retention policy	Auto-archive signed copy to secure storage

Digital signing and platform considerations

Use a platform that supports audit trails and appropriate signer authentication for legal effectiveness.

File formats: PDF, DOCX, and fillable forms supported
Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace, Box
Security: TLS in transit, AES-256 at rest

Comparison: common eSignature providers for executing this form

Platform pricing and feature availability affect cost and compliance; choose a provider that meets authentication and retention needs.

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

Security and compliance details to document

Encryption in transit: TLS 1.2/1.3

Encryption at rest: AES-256

Audit and controls: SOC 2 Type II available

HIPAA compliance: BAA required for PHI

FDA records: 21 CFR Part 11 support

Standards: ISO 27001 certified

Key penalties and legal risks of errors

1099 filing penalty: $60–$330 per form

Intentional disregard: $660+ per form, no cap

I-9 paperwork violation: $281–$2,789 per violation

Invalid authorization: Risk of contract unenforceability

Data breach fines: Regulatory penalties and mitigation costs

Notary error: Possible rejection or legal challenge

Common preparation errors to avoid

Using informal or abbreviated legal names that prevent identity verification and lead to disputes or rescission.
Failing to list conditions precedent such as permits or insurance, which can expose parties to liability for premature work.
Not verifying signatory authority (title or corporate resolution), which can render the authorization voidable in disputes.
Omitting clear expiration or scope limits, resulting in scope creep or disagreements about permitted activities.

Typical timing and deadline checkpoints

Document timelines ensure the authority is valid and align with project schedules, permitting, and contractual milestones.

Issue upon approval:

Issue immediately after formal approval or board resolution

Effective date:

Specified in MM/DD/YYYY format; determines when work may begin

Notarization window:

Complete notarization before the effective date if required

Record retention:

Archive executed copy immediately for compliance and audits

Reporting deadlines:

Meet any agency reporting tied to the authority within prescribed windows

Approval milestones from request to execution

Track key milestones in sequence to ensure readiness and compliance before starting work.

01

Draft and attach exhibits

Prepare scope, budget, and SOW for review

02

Internal approvals

Obtain legal, finance, and management sign-off

03

External acceptance

Send to grantee for signature and acknowledgement

04

Archive and distribute

Store executed copy and distribute to stakeholders

Practical tips for accurate and efficient completion

Adopt these practices to reduce delays, legal risk, and administrative overhead while keeping records audit-ready.

Confirm signer authority and title

Verify that the person signing has express authority to bind the entity. Obtain a corporate resolution or power of attorney when needed to prevent challenges to validity and to ensure enforceability under contract law.

Use precise scope language

Define tasks, limits, monetary caps, and geographic boundaries. Attach exhibits or SOWs to make the scope demonstrable and reduce later disputes about permitted activities or deliverables.

Document conditions precedent

List permits, insurance, inspections, or third-party consents required before work begins. Stating these conditions prevents misunderstandings and clarifies stoppage triggers if conditions are unmet.

Preserve audit trail and originals

Retain signed copies, access logs, and notarizations. An immutable audit trail supports compliance and defends against claims of unauthorized work or fraud.

Real-world examples showing how organizations use an Authority to Proceed

These summaries show common scenarios where a formal authority reduced ambiguity and expedited work.

Optica Ventures — Brian Fitzgibbons

Optica used an Authority to Proceed to confirm contractor mobilization after permit issuance.

The document tied work start to received permits.
"The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers." The authorization clarified prerequisites and reduced site delays by removing verbal approvals.

Martin Properties — Tim Martin

A property manager issued a formal Authority to Proceed before renovation work to ensure insurance coverage.

The authorization required proof of insurance before mobilization.
"I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security. Whether on mobile or working offline, I can get forms back to their necessary parties efficiently." This reduced insurance-related stoppages and improved scheduling.

Frequently asked questions and troubleshooting

Answers to common questions about validity, notarization, digital signing, and revocation procedures.

Need help? Contact support

Is an electronic signature valid?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention requirements are satisfied.
When is notarization required?
Notarization depends on the document's legal purpose and state rules. Real property or certain statutory authorizations often require notarization; verify local notary and witness requirements before execution.
Who may sign the document?
Only persons with actual authority may sign. For entities, confirm corporate officer authority or provide a board resolution or power of attorney to avoid later challenges.
How do I revoke an authority?
Issue a written revocation signed by the same authority level and distribute it to all affected parties. Record the revocation and, if applicable, follow any contract-specified notice procedures.
What if names or dates are inconsistent?
Inconsistent names, titles, or dates can render the authorization ambiguous. Correct errors formally via an executed amendment or reissue the document to ensure continuity.
How should executed copies be stored?
Store the signed document in a secure system with an audit trail. Maintain retention per regulatory requirements (IRS, HIPAA, SEC) and ensure records are reproducible on demand.

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