Governance request template

Partnership agreement signing request template

A partnership agreement sets out how partners run a business together, covering contributions, profit shares, decisions and exits, signed by all partners.

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What is a partnership agreement?

A partnership agreement is the document that governs how two or more people run a business together. It typically covers each partner's capital contribution, how profits and losses are shared, how decisions are made, and what happens when a partner joins, leaves or the partnership ends. Putting these terms in writing reduces uncertainty and gives partners a shared reference if disagreements arise.

While partnerships can exist without a written agreement, relying on default rules under state partnership legislation often leaves important issues unaddressed. A signed agreement matters because it records what the partners actually intended on money, control and liability, and it is frequently requested by banks, accountants and prospective partners. Having every partner sign creates clear evidence that all parties accepted the terms.

When to use a partnership agreement

Starting a new business partnership and formalising the arrangement
Admitting a new partner or changing existing profit-share terms
Documenting capital contributions and decision-making rules
Recording exit, buyout and dispute-resolution terms between partners

What to include in a partnership agreement

Partners and business: names of all partners and the partnership's name and purpose.
Contributions and shares: capital each partner contributes and how profits and losses split.
Decision-making: how decisions are made, voting rights and day-to-day management.
Admission and exit: how partners join or leave, including buyout and valuation terms.
Dispute and dissolution: how disputes are resolved and how the partnership can be wound up.

Pros and cons of sending a partnership agreement as a signing request

Pros

Every partner signs the same agreement via their own private link
Tracking shows which partners have signed and who is still pending
Reminders keep all partners moving toward signing before expiry
A completion receipt records each partner's signature and date for your files

Cons and things to watch

Cosign does not draft terms or tailor them to your circumstances
Partnership rules vary by state, so terms should be reviewed locally
A signing tool does not replace legal or tax advice on the structure
The agreement only binds those who actually sign, so include all partners

How to send a partnership agreement with Cosign

Upload the finalised partnership agreement and preview it to confirm all terms and partner names.
Add every partner as a signer, each with their own private signing link and due date.
Set a 14-day expiry and apply password protection given the agreement's commercial sensitivity.
Send, track each partner's signing progress, and download the receipt once all partners have signed.

Partnership agreement request details

Email subject

Partnership agreement signing request

Default message

Please review and sign this partnership agreement if the terms are agreed.

Signer setup

Partners

Suggested expiry

14 days

Button label

Sign partnership agreement

Best fit

Governance teams

Partnership agreement FAQs

Is an electronically signed partnership agreement legally valid in Australia?

Electronic signatures are broadly recognised under Australian law for most business agreements. Validity can depend on the parties' intention and the document type, so for important agreements consider legal advice; this is general information only.

Do partners legally need a written partnership agreement?

A partnership can exist without a written agreement, but then default rules under state partnership legislation apply. A written, signed agreement lets partners set their own terms; a signing tool does not replace legal advice on those terms.

Is the partnership agreement kept confidential in Cosign?

Yes. The agreement is sent only to the partners you nominate via private links and is not indexed by search engines. Password protection is available for this commercially sensitive document.

What if one partner refuses to sign the agreement?

The agreement generally binds only those who sign it, so an unsigned partner may not be bound by its terms. Cosign shows who is outstanding so you can follow up before the request expires.

Can all partners sign their own copy at different times?

Yes. Each partner receives a private link and can sign when convenient. Cosign tracks each signature and issues a completion receipt once every partner has signed.