Sales Template
Free Referral Agreement Template
A referral agreement defines the terms and commission structure for referring business.
Template
Copy this markdown, replace the {{variables}}, and send via API.
# Referral Agreement
**Company:** {{companyName}}
**Referrer:** {{referrerName}}
**Date:** {{date}}
## Referral Program
Referrer agrees to introduce potential clients to Company.
## Commission
{{commissionStructure}}
## Payment
Commissions paid within {{paymentWindow}} of successful conversion.
## Exclusions
{{exclusions}}
## Term
{{termLength}}, renewable by mutual agreement.
## Non-Circumvention
Company shall not circumvent Referrer's relationship with referred clients.Send for e-signature
curl -X POST https://signb.ee/api/send \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"content": "YOUR_RENDERED_MARKDOWN",
"senderName": "Your Name",
"senderEmail": "you@company.com",
"recipientName": "Recipient",
"recipientEmail": "recipient@email.com"
}'What happens next
- Signbee converts the markdown to a professional PDF
- Recipient gets an email with a signing link
- Both parties sign with an animated handwriting signature
- Both receive the signed PDF with a SHA-256 certificate
All signatures are legally binding under the ESIGN Act, eIDAS, and ECA.
More details
A referral agreement formalises the relationship between a company and the people or organisations that send business their way. Without one, disputes over who referred whom, when commission is earned, and how much is owed are inevitable.
Referral agreement vs affiliate agreement vs reseller agreement: - Referral agreement: The referrer introduces leads. The company handles the sale, onboarding, and fulfilment. The referrer earns a commission on closed deals. No ongoing involvement after the introduction. - Affiliate agreement: Similar to referral, but typically uses tracked links, cookies, and automated attribution. Common in e-commerce and SaaS. Higher volume, lower touch. - Reseller agreement: The reseller purchases products or services at wholesale and resells to end customers. The reseller handles the customer relationship and assumes more risk.
Critical clauses every referral agreement needs: 1. Definition of a qualified referral — What counts as a valid introduction? A name and email? A warm introduction call? A meeting booked? Define this precisely to prevent disputes. 2. Commission structure — Flat fee per referral, percentage of first sale, percentage of lifetime value, or tiered rates based on volume. Be explicit about what triggers payment. 3. Attribution window — How long after the introduction does the referrer get credit? 30-90 days is standard. Without a window, referrers may claim credit for deals that close years later. 4. Payment timing — Commission on signing, on first payment, or on full payment? If the client pays in instalments, is commission paid upfront or as revenue is received? 5. Non-circumvention — Prevents the company from cutting out the referrer and dealing directly with the referred client. This is the referrer's most important protection. 6. Exclusions — Existing clients, leads already in the pipeline, or specific territories may be excluded. List them explicitly. 7. Clawback — If the referred client cancels within a specified period (e.g., 90 days), the commission may be clawed back. This protects the company from low-quality referrals.
Common referral commission structures: - SaaS: 10-20% of first-year revenue or a flat fee per sign-up ($50-$500 depending on ACV) - Professional services: 5-15% of project value - Real estate: 25% of the agent's commission (buyer/seller referrals) - Financial services: Flat fee per qualified lead ($25-$200) - Recruitment: 5-10% of the placement fee
Frequently asked questions
What is a fair referral commission?
It depends on industry and deal size. SaaS typically pays 10-20% of first-year revenue. Professional services pay 5-15% of project value. Flat fees range from $50-$500 per qualified referral. The commission should reflect the referrer's contribution to the sale.
Do referral agreements need a non-circumvention clause?
Yes. Without non-circumvention, the company can cut out the referrer and deal directly with the referred client on future transactions. This clause is the referrer's most important protection and should be explicitly included.
Can referral agreements be signed electronically?
Yes. Referral agreements are valid with electronic signatures under ESIGN (US), eIDAS (EU), and ECA (UK). Sign before the referrer starts making introductions to ensure both parties agree on commission terms.
Related resources
Send this template for signing — free, no credit card.