Is an e-signed addendum legally enforceable?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA statutes where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention requirements are met.

Do I need notarization for an addendum?

Usually not for a standard service addendum. Notarization is required only where statutory formality applies or when the addendum affects property interests; verify with state notary rules.

Can remote online notarization (RON) be used?

Many states permit RON; check your state’s notary commission for requirements such as identity proofing, audio-video recording, and retention. RON rules vary by jurisdiction.

What if the signer’s printed name differs from company records?

Document signer authority and confirm entity name in the signature block; mismatched names can create disputes about authority and may require a corrective affidavit or re-execution.

How do I correct an executed addendum with a minor error?

Prepare a corrective addendum or amendment signed by all parties that clearly states the correction and references the original addendum; avoid handwritten changes on executed copies.

How long must I keep the signed addendum?

Retain per your document retention policy and regulatory requirements: at least 3 years for IRS purposes (IRC §6501(a)) and 6 years for HIPAA-related records (45 CFR §164.530(j)).

Electronic Signature
Templates
Legal
MSA Addendum Form

MSA Addendum Form

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

MSA ADDENDUM FORM

This Master Services Agreement Addendum (the "Addendum") is entered into as of Effective Date: by and between Client Name: with Address: ("Client") and Supplier Name: with Address: ("Supplier"). Reference is made to the Master Services Agreement dated: and bearing Reference No.: (the "Agreement").

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the parties entered into the Agreement to govern the provision of services and related obligations; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend certain provisions of the Agreement as set forth in this Addendum to reflect changed commercial terms and operational requirements.

WHEREAS, capitalized terms used but not defined in this Addendum have the meanings assigned in the Agreement.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree to modify the Agreement as follows.

1. DEFINITIONS

1.1 For purposes of this Addendum, unless the context requires otherwise, terms defined in the Agreement shall have the same meanings when used in this Addendum. In addition, the following definitions shall apply: "Addendum Effective Date" means the date set forth above as Effective Date.

2. AMENDMENTS TO AGREEMENT

2.1 The Agreement is hereby amended as follows. The provisions listed below replace or modify the corresponding provisions of the Agreement in their entirety to the extent of any inconsistency:

Sections Amended (list section numbers and short description) Replacement or Additional Provisions

2.2 Except as expressly amended by this Addendum, all other terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Addendum and the Agreement, the terms of this Addendum shall govern.

3. TERM; TERMINATION

3.1 This Addendum shall become effective on the Addendum Effective Date and shall continue for the remaining term of the Agreement unless earlier terminated in accordance with the Agreement or as set forth in this Addendum.

If this Addendum sets a specific termination date, enter date

3.2 Termination of the Agreement shall not relieve either party of liabilities accrued prior to the effective date of termination. Provisions intended to survive termination under the Agreement shall survive termination of this Addendum.

4. FEES; PAYMENT

4.1 The parties agree that the fees and payment terms are amended as follows. All amounts are payable in United States dollars unless otherwise stated.

Fee Adjustments or New Fees (enter amount if applicable) Payment Terms or Billing Changes

5. CONFIDENTIALITY

5.1 The parties reaffirm their obligations of confidentiality under the Agreement. Confidential Information disclosed under the Agreement shall continue to be protected and shall not be disclosed except as expressly permitted in the Agreement or this Addendum.

5.2 Any disclosure permitted under the Agreement must be limited to the minimum necessary information and subject to the same protections as set forth in the Agreement.

6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

6.1 Ownership of intellectual property rights shall continue as provided in the Agreement. Any work product or deliverables created pursuant to the Agreement and this Addendum shall be owned as provided in the Agreement unless otherwise expressly set forth in writing in this Addendum.

Special IP Provisions (if any)

7. INDEMNIFICATION; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

7.1 The indemnification obligations set forth in the Agreement shall apply to claims arising from acts or omissions occurring during the Addendum term. Each party shall promptly notify the other of any claim for which indemnification may be sought and shall cooperate in the defense of such claim.

7.2 Except as expressly modified herein, the limitations of liability in the Agreement remain in full force. If the parties intend to alter any liability cap, specify the revised cap amount below.

Revised Liability Cap Amount (if applicable)

8. INSURANCE

8.1 Supplier shall maintain insurance coverage as required by the Agreement. Any increase or material change to required coverage shall be set forth below.

Insurance Requirements or Changes

9. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS

9.1 Each party shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations in performance of its obligations under the Agreement and this Addendum, including those related to data protection, export control, and employment.

10. NOTICES

10.1 All notices required or permitted under this Addendum shall be given in accordance with the Notices provision of the Agreement. The parties designate the following contacts for notices related to this Addendum:

Client Notice Contact (name, title, contact info) Client Notice Address Supplier Notice Contact (name, title, contact info) Supplier Notice Address

11. AMENDMENTS; WAIVER

11.1 Except as set forth herein, no amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of the Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties. Failure to enforce any provision shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

12. GOVERNING LAW; VENUE

12.1 This Addendum shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of: without regard to conflict of law principles. The parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in that State for any dispute arising out of or related to this Addendum.

13. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SEVERABILITY

13.1 This Addendum, together with the Agreement, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings and agreements, whether written or oral, relating to such subject matter. If any provision of this Addendum is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be severed and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

14. COUNTERPARTS; ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES

14.1 This Addendum 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. Signatures transmitted by electronic means (including scanned, PDF or facsimile) shall be deemed binding for all purposes.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Addendum as of the Effective Date first written above.

Client:

By:

Date:

Title:

Supplier:

By:

Date:

Title:

What the MSA Addendum Form Is and When It’s Used

A Master Service Agreement (MSA) Addendum is a legally binding modification or supplement to an existing MSA that changes, clarifies, or adds terms without replacing the original agreement. Typical uses include adding new services, extending scope, adjusting pricing, updating contact or billing details, or documenting negotiated exceptions. An addendum should reference the underlying MSA by date and paragraph, state the effective date of the change, and be executed by authorized representatives of each party to avoid ambiguity and preserve the enforceability of original and amended terms.

Why an MSA Addendum Matters for Contract Control

An MSA Addendum provides a focused, documented way to change contract terms while preserving the master agreement’s structure and history. Using an addendum reduces the risk of inconsistent terms, helps maintain an auditable record of changes, and supports compliance with governing law such as the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where electronic execution is used.

Who Typically Prepares and Signs an MSA Addendum

The document is most often prepared by contract managers, legal teams, account executives, or procurement professionals when a negotiated change is reached.

In-house counsel or contract manager — drafts language, confirms consistency with the MSA and corporate policies.
Business owner or account executive — negotiates commercial terms and confirms operational impacts.
Authorized signatory or officer — executes the addendum to bind the company.

Ensure each signer has authority under corporate bylaws or delegated signature limits; snapshot authorization in the file if necessary.

Typical Signatories and Their Roles

Company Officer

A corporate officer or person with delegated authority signs for the organization and creates legal commitment. Confirm signature authority in a board resolution or officer roster when corporate power is not clear.

Customer Representative

The customer’s authorized representative (procurement lead, operations manager, or counsel) who accepts the amended terms and confirms practical implementation and signoff timelines.

Core Elements to Include in a Professional MSA Addendum

A well-drafted MSA Addendum is concise and references the master agreement precisely. Include identification, recitals, amended clauses, effective date, signatures, and any transitional provisions so the amendment can be interpreted without reopening the full MSA.

Reference Clause

Identify the original MSA by title and date so the addendum is clearly tied to the correct agreement.

Scope of Change

Describe exactly which sections or exhibits are modified; use tracked language or strike/insert text for clarity.

Effective Date

Specify the date when the amendment takes effect, and whether it applies retroactively or prospectively.

Integration Statement

Confirm that, except as amended, the original MSA remains in full force and effect to avoid conflict between documents.

Signatory Block

Provide printed names, titles, dates, and signature lines for authorized representatives of all parties.

Related Exhibits

Attach any schedules, pricing tables, or statements of work that the addendum modifies; mark them as amended copies.

Four Steps to Complete an MSA Addendum Correctly

Follow this sequence to minimize legal risk and ensure the addendum is properly executed and stored.

01

Draft: Prepare amendment language tied to exact MSA sections.
02

Review: Have counsel and relevant stakeholders confirm scope and impact.
03

Execute: Obtain signatures from authorized signatories with dated signature blocks.
04

Store: Save executed copies in contract repository and update audit records.

How to Configure an Online Signing Workflow for the Addendum

If you use electronic signing, configure authentication, fields, and notifications to match your compliance needs and recordkeeping policies.

Field	Configuration
Authentication	Use email link plus optional SMS code or KBA when higher identity assurance is needed.
Signature Fields	Place signature, printed name, title, and date fields for each party; require all fields.
Notifications	Enable signer and sender notifications, reminders, and completion receipts for audit trails.
Integration	Connect to your contract repository or CRM to update the MSA record automatically.

Typical Routing and Submission Paths for an Addendum

An efficient routing process clarifies responsibilities and shortens execution time; below are common destinations and recipients.

Sender: Uploads the addendum and sets signer order.
Signers: Receive email or link, authenticate, and sign.
Legal: Reviews final executed copy and retains for compliance.
Repository: Store signed PDF with audit trail and metadata.

Technical Considerations for eSigning and eSubmission

Choose a platform that supports required authentication, audit trail capture, and secure storage to meet legal and corporate recordkeeping needs.

Authentication Options: Email, SMS, KBA, or advanced signer authentication.
Audit Trail: Timestamp, IP, and action log for each signer.
File Formats: PDF/A or PDF with embedded signature certificate.

Verify integrations with your document management, CRM, or enterprise systems and confirm retention policies before finalizing the workflow.

Risks and Consequences of an Incorrect Addendum

Invalid Signature: May void amendment

Conflicting Terms: Creates enforcement ambiguity

Tax Exposure: IRC §6721 penalties apply

I-9 Violations: 8 CFR §274a.2 penalties possible

HIPAA Risks: Privacy violation fines

Data Breach: Liability for confidential data loss

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Addendum Execution

These practices reduce disputes, speed approvals, and improve record quality across contract lifecycles.

Use Clear References

Always identify the original MSA by full title and date and reference specific section numbers so the amendment can be read on its own.

Limit Scope

Change only what is necessary. Broad or vague amendments increase interpretation risk and may require full renegotiation of the MSA.

Confirm Authority

Document signer authority (board resolution, delegation) especially for high-value or long-term changes to avoid later challenges to validity.

Record Metadata

Store signed PDF, signer audit trail, and index metadata (contract ID, addendum number, effective date) in your repository for easy retrieval.

Common Timing Expectations When Issuing an Addendum

Identify time-sensitive items and set clear deadlines to avoid performance gaps or billing disputes after execution.

Drafting Period:

Allow 3–10 business days for internal review depending on complexity

Negotiation Window:

Plan 7–21 days for counterparty review and redlines

Execution Deadline:

Specify sign-by date if change is time-sensitive, e.g., within 30 days

Effective Date:

State whether effective on signature or specified future date

Billing Cutover:

Note billing or performance cutover dates to align invoicing

Comparing eSignature Options for Signing an MSA Addendum

Common vendor capabilities and starting price points for eSignature solutions used to execute contract addenda; signNow is listed first for comparison.

	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 (Business Premium)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies	Varies	Varies

Security and Compliance Features to Verify

In-transit Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3

At-rest Encryption: AES-256

Certifications: SOC 2 Type II; ISO 27001

Regulatory Support: ESIGN, UETA, 21 CFR Part 11

HIPAA: BAA required for PHI

Accessibility: WCAG 2.0 Level AA

Real-World Scenarios Where an MSA Addendum Was Used

Examples illustrate typical business reasons to issue an addendum and how organizations documented the change.

Optica Ventures

A VC portfolio firm needed to add services to an existing MSA

The operations team documented service tiers and billing changes
The executed addendum preserved the original MSA while enabling immediate billing adjustments and clear audit history.

Tech Data

A vendor and enterprise agreed to a pricing revision for a multi-year deployment

Legal added a price schedule exhibit to the MSA via addendum
The addendum referenced the MSA, specified an effective date, and was stored in the contract repository for compliance and invoicing.

Frequently Asked Questions About MSA Addendum Forms

Answers to common legal, technical, and execution questions when preparing or signing an MSA Addendum.

Need help? Contact support

Is an e-signed addendum legally enforceable?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA statutes where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention requirements are met.
Do I need notarization for an addendum?
Usually not for a standard service addendum. Notarization is required only where statutory formality applies or when the addendum affects property interests; verify with state notary rules.
Can remote online notarization (RON) be used?
Many states permit RON; check your state’s notary commission for requirements such as identity proofing, audio-video recording, and retention. RON rules vary by jurisdiction.
What if the signer’s printed name differs from company records?
Document signer authority and confirm entity name in the signature block; mismatched names can create disputes about authority and may require a corrective affidavit or re-execution.
How do I correct an executed addendum with a minor error?
Prepare a corrective addendum or amendment signed by all parties that clearly states the correction and references the original addendum; avoid handwritten changes on executed copies.
How long must I keep the signed addendum?
Retain per your document retention policy and regulatory requirements: at least 3 years for IRS purposes (IRC §6501(a)) and 6 years for HIPAA-related records (45 CFR §164.530(j)).

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now