What counts as a qualified referral?

In this template, a prospect the partner introduces in writing, who is not already a customer or in talks, and who signs a paid contract within a set number of months.

How is the referral fee calculated?

You choose either a percentage of the customer's first-year fees or a flat fee per customer. Refunds, taxes and unpaid amounts are excluded.

Are there rules about referral fees?

In some industries, such as real estate, law, healthcare and financial services, referral fees are regulated or prohibited. Check the rules for your industry before using this template.

Free template

Referral agreement template

A referral agreement pays a partner for introducing customers. The key is defining which introductions count, how the fee is calculated and when it is paid, so neither side argues about it later. Edit it in the browser and send it for signature from the same page; the free plan includes 5 sends a month and never asks for a card.

Start free with this template

When to use it

Paying consultants, agencies or customers a commission for introductions.
Setting up a partner program before building any tracking software.
Recording a one-off finder's fee for a specific introduction.

What's in it

1.Referrals
2.Referral fee
3.Payment
4.Partner conduct
5.Relationship
6.Confidentiality
7.Term and termination
8.General

Plus signature, name and date fields for company and referral partner.

The full template

The text you start from, exactly as it opens in the editor. Bracketed blanks are yours to fill in; highlighted fields are filled by each signer.

Referral Agreement

This Referral Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of Date signed — Company between [Company legal name] (the “Company”) and [Referral partner name] (the “Partner”).

1. Referrals

The Partner may introduce prospective customers to the Company for [products or services]. A “Qualified Referral” is a prospect that (a) the Partner introduces in writing to [email address], (b) is not already a customer or in active discussion with the Company, and (c) signs a paid contract with the Company within [six (6)] months of the introduction.

2. Referral fee

For each Qualified Referral, the Company will pay the Partner [[10]% of the fees the customer pays in its first [twelve (12)] months / a flat fee of $[amount]], excluding taxes, refunds and pass-through costs.

3. Payment

The Company will pay referral fees [monthly / quarterly] within [thirty (30)] days after it receives the customer's payment, with a statement of the amounts. No fee is due on amounts the customer does not pay or that are refunded.

4. Partner conduct

The Partner will describe the Company's offerings accurately, will make no promises or commitments on the Company's behalf, and will follow applicable law, including any rule requiring disclosure of the referral fee to the prospect. The Company decides in its sole discretion whether to accept any customer.

5. Relationship

The Partner is an independent contractor, not an agent, employee or partner of the Company, and is responsible for its own expenses and taxes. This Agreement is not exclusive for either party.

6. Confidentiality

Each party will keep confidential the other's non-public information, including pricing and customer details, and use it only for this Agreement.

7. Term and termination

This Agreement lasts [one (1)] year and renews yearly unless either party gives [thirty (30)] days' written notice. Fees for Qualified Referrals made before termination remain payable for the period set out above.

8. General

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of [State]. It is the entire agreement on its subject and may be changed only in writing signed by both parties.

Signatures

Company

Signature: Signature — Company

Name: Full name — Company

Date: Date signed — Company

Referral partner

Signature: Signature — Referral partner

Name: Full name — Referral partner

Date: Date signed — Referral partner

This template is a general-purpose starting point written in plain English for use in the United States. It is not legal advice and has not been reviewed for your situation; for anything high-stakes, have a lawyer review the final version.

How to send it for signature

Step 1
Start from the template
It opens as a document in the editor with both parties' signature, name and date fields already placed. Fill in the bracketed blanks and change any clause.
Step 2
Add who signs
Put an email address on each party, set the signing order if it matters, add an access code if you want one, and add a viewer for anyone who only needs to read it.
Step 3
Send it and track it
Each signer gets a link and signs in the browser, no account needed. You see who has opened and signed, and everyone gets the completed PDF with a certificate of completion.