Arbitration agreement template: free in Word, or sign it online
Reviewed in October 2026
An arbitration agreement is a promise to resolve disputes before a private arbitrator instead of a court. It names the rules, the place, the number of arbitrators, who pays the fees and what disputes are covered. Under the Federal Arbitration Act, a written agreement to arbitrate is generally valid and enforceable.
Ten documents free, no card. Signed by both parties.
Example filled in with sample data
The full arbitration agreement
AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE
This Agreement to Arbitrate (the "Agreement") is made on [date] between [Party A legal name], with address at [address], and [Party B legal name], with address at [address] (together, the "Parties").
1. Disputes covered
The Parties agree to resolve by binding arbitration any dispute arising out of or relating to [the contract dated [date] / their business relationship], including its formation, performance and termination.
2. Exclusions
The following are not covered: [claims within small claims court limits, requests for urgent injunctive relief, other exclusions].
3. Negotiation first
Before starting arbitration, a Party will send a written notice of the dispute. The Parties will try to resolve it in good faith for [number] days.
4. Rules and administrator
The arbitration will be administered by [arbitration provider] under its [commercial or consumer] rules in effect when the claim is filed.
5. Arbitrators
The dispute will be decided by [one arbitrator / three arbitrators] chosen under those rules. Each arbitrator will be neutral and have experience in [field].
6. Place and language
The arbitration will take place in [city, state] [or by video], in [language].
7. Fees
Filing and arbitrator fees will be paid [equally / by [Party]], unless the rules or the law require otherwise. Each Party pays its own lawyers unless the arbitrator decides otherwise under the law.
8. Award
The arbitrator will issue a written, reasoned award. The award is final and binding, and judgment on it may be entered in any court with jurisdiction.
9. Confidentiality
The Parties will keep the arbitration and the award confidential, except as needed to enforce it or as the law requires.
10. Class action waiver
[Optional: Each Party may bring claims only in its individual capacity, not as a plaintiff or class member in a class or representative proceeding.]
11. Severability
If any part of this Agreement is found unenforceable, the rest remains in effect.
12. Governing law and signature
This Agreement is governed by the Federal Arbitration Act and, to the extent not inconsistent, the laws of [state]. The Parties agree to sign it electronically, with the same effect as a handwritten signature.
Party A
Name and title: ______________
Date: ______________
Party B
Name and title: ______________
Date: ______________
What the template includes
Disputes covered by arbitration
Claims kept outside arbitration
Good-faith negotiation before filing
Rules and administrator
Number and qualifications of arbitrators
Place, video option and language
Who pays filing and arbitrator fees
Written, final and binding award
Confidentiality
Optional class action waiver
Severability, governing law and electronic signature
What you fill in
Field
Example
Party A
Summit Machine Works Inc.
Party B
Delta Fabrication LLC
Disputes
All disputes under the supply contract of March 3, 2026
Negotiation period
30 days
Arbitrators
One
Place
Denver, Colorado, or by video
Fees
Shared equally
How it gets signed
1Choose «Use this template», fill in the fields and review the full arbitration agreement.
2Send it by WhatsApp or email. The other party opens the link on their phone without an account.
3They tap the brown bar at the bottom that says «Sign as …» and draw their signature once.
4Everyone gets the signed PDF with its signature certificate. Anyone can check it at signsolu.com/verificar.
The signing screen tells each signer that signing means agreeing to sign electronically. It links to the electronic signature disclosure that the ESIGN Act asks for.
What you get once everyone signs
The signed PDF. The final arbitration agreement with every drawn signature in place.
The signature certificate. It lists each signer and the date and time of each signature.
A record you can check. The folio on the certificate opens the document history at signsolu.com/verificar.
Reminders. Turn them on and SignSolú reminds every signer who has not signed yet.
Your first ten documents are free and need no card.
What the law says
The Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. 2, states that a written provision to settle by arbitration a controversy arising out of a contract evidencing a transaction involving commerce shall be valid, irrevocable and enforceable, save upon grounds that exist at law or in equity for revoking any contract.
The same section covers an agreement in writing to submit an existing controversy to arbitration. That is why this template works both before and after a dispute arises.
Consumer and employment arbitration agreements face extra scrutiny on fairness, notice and fees. Check current rules before using one with consumers or employees.
The ESIGN Act, 15 U.S.C. 7001 gives an electronic signature the same legal effect as one on paper. A contract cannot be denied effect only because it was signed electronically.
Arbitration clause or separate agreement
Most contracts carry a short arbitration clause. A separate agreement, like this one, fits when parties want detail or when a dispute already exists.
It can also cover a whole business relationship with several contracts. Clause 1 names what it covers.
Choosing the rules and the place
Arbitration providers publish rules for commercial and consumer cases. Name one in clause 4 so nobody argues about procedure later.
Choose a place both sides can reach, or allow video hearings. Clause 6 has room for both.
Costs
Arbitration has filing fees and arbitrator fees. Decide who pays them in clause 7, keeping in mind that some rules set their own allocation.
One arbitrator costs less than three. Use three only for large or technical disputes.
Example of a supply dispute
A machine shop and a fabricator disagree over late deliveries under a supply contract. They sign this agreement to send the dispute to one arbitrator in Denver.
They share the fees and agree on video hearings. The award arrives in writing and both sides accept it as final.
Common mistakes
Vague scope. Name the contract or relationship covered.
No rules named. Pick an administrator and its rules.
Unfair fee terms. One-sided fees can sink the agreement, especially with consumers.
Arbitration in contracts with customers
Businesses that put arbitration in customer contracts should make it easy to find and easy to read. A clear heading and a short summary help.
Give customers a fair way to start a claim and keep fees reasonable. Rules for consumer cases often limit what a customer pays.
Send the agreement for signature instead of burying it in website terms. A signed agreement shows the customer saw it.
After the award
If a party does not comply with the award, the other can ask a court to confirm it and enter judgment.
Keep the signed arbitration agreement, the award and the notices in one file. Courts look for that record.
