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Partnership Agreement

A partnership agreement setting out the terms between business partners — contributions, profit sharing, responsibilities, and exit. Fill it in online, download a ready-to-sign PDF, and have signatures witnessed in Ontario. Get legal and tax advice.

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Also known as

  • Business Partnership Agreement
  • Partnership Contract
  • General Partnership Agreement
  • +1 more names
    • Partners’ Agreement

PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

Between

______ of ______

and

______ of ______

(Together, the "Partners" and individually, a "Partner")

1. Establishment of the Partnership

The Partners hereby form a general partnership (the "Partnership") pursuant to the laws of ______.

Unless this Agreement provides otherwise, the ______ partnership legislation and all other relevant statutes apply.

2. Essential Details

Item

Detail

Name of Partnership

______

Business Purpose

______

Start Date

______ (continues until ended under this Agreement)

Main Address

______ (other locations may be added by mutual consent)

3. Capital Contributions

a. Initial Capital Contribution

Partner

Description

Agreed Value

______

______

______

______

______

______

Each Partner shall deliver the contribution described above in full no later than ______.

b. Additional Capital Contributions

  • No Partner is required to add more capital.

  • If extra funds are needed, any Partner may contribute in proportion to their existing share.

  • If a Partner cannot or will not contribute within a reasonable time, the other Partners may cover the shortfall in the same proportion.

Any amount advanced beyond a Partner's agreed contribution constitutes a loan to the Partnership, repayable with interest at a rate determined by majority vote of the Partners. Such a loan does not enlarge the lending Partner's share of profits or voting power.

c. Withdrawal of Capital

No Partner may withdraw capital without the written agreement of every other Partner.

d. Capital Accounts

The Partnership shall maintain an individual capital account for each Partner recording all contributions made.

4. Profits, Losses, and Financial Administration

1. Decisions -- Matters of distributions, further capital requirements, and other financial questions require unanimous consent except where this Agreement specifies otherwise.

2. Allocation of Profit and Loss -- Net profits and net losses shall be divided among the Partners in proportion to each Partner's aggregate capital contribution.

3. Books and Records -- The Partnership shall maintain complete books prepared in accordance with GAAP, available for inspection by any Partner during normal business hours.

4. Annual Report -- Following the close of each fiscal year, the Partnership shall provide every Partner with:

  • A summary of the financial results suitable for tax filings;

  • A copy of the filed federal tax return; and

  • Any other information a Partner reasonably requests.

5. Banking -- All Partnership funds shall be held in accounts in the Partnership's name; co-mingling with personal or unrelated business funds is prohibited.

6. Audit Rights -- Any Partner may request one independent audit per fiscal year at Partnership expense, to be conducted by a firm approved unanimously by the Partners.

7. Fiscal Year End -- December 31 (unless the Partners unanimously select a different date).

5. Management and Authority

  1. Binding Authority – Any Partner may bind the Partnership on matters in the ordinary course of business.

  2. Operational Decisions – Day-to-day control, major contracts, and other management matters require unanimous approval unless this Agreement states otherwise.

  3. Meetings – Regular meetings will be held as needed. Any Partner may call a special meeting with reasonable notice; the meeting will cover only the stated business.

  4. Voting – Each Partner has one vote of equal weight unless the Partners unanimously agree to weight votes by capital share.

6. Changes in Partnership Membership

  1. Admitting a New Partner – Requires unanimous written consent. The new Partner must sign this Agreement.

  2. Voluntary Withdrawal – A Partner may leave by giving at least three (3) months’ written notice; this dissolves the Partnership.

  3. Involuntary Withdrawal – A Partner is deemed withdrawn (and the Partnership dissolves) upon incapacity, death, prolonged disability, breach of duty, criminal conviction, expulsion, operation of law, or conduct damaging to the business.

  4. Dissociation and Dissolution – If the Partnership dissolves, it will be wound up promptly. Debts are paid first, then Partner loans, then remaining assets are distributed in proportion to capital contributions.

7. Valuation Upon Exit or Dissolution

  1. Asset Distribution Order

    1. Pay third-party creditors.

    2. Repay Partner loans.

    3. Distribute remaining assets by capital share (“Dissolution Distribution”).

  2. Fair Market Value – If needed, an independent accountant (chosen unanimously) will value the Partnership under GAAP. Goodwill is included only if already on the books.

  3. A withdrawing Partner receives their share of the Dissolution Distribution, minus any liabilities.

8. Duties and Restrictions

  1. Duty of Loyalty – No Partner may run a competing business or create a conflict of interest without unanimous written consent.

  2. Duty of Accountability – Any profit made from using Partnership property or name without consent must be paid to the Partnership.

  3. Duty of Care and Time – Each Partner must devote reasonable time and attention as decided by the majority of Partners.

  4. Forbidden Acts – No Partner may:

    • Assign Partnership authority to non-Partners;

    • Break this Agreement;

    • Make the business unviable;

    • Bind the Partnership outside its scope; or

    • Consent to a judgment against the Partnership.

  5. Violation may lead to involuntary withdrawal.

9. Liability and Insurance

  1. Limited Personal Liability – A Partner is not personally liable for acts done in good faith within their authority.

  2. Indemnification – The Partnership will indemnify Partners acting in good faith, except for wilful misconduct, gross negligence, or breach of this Agreement.

  3. Insurance – The Partnership may buy liability insurance for its Partners and employees, and life insurance on any Partner if the Partners agree.

10. Amendments

This Agreement may only be modified by the unanimous written consent of all Partners.

11. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws of ______. Any dispute arising hereunder shall be resolved exclusively in the courts of ______.

12. Definitions

For the avoidance of doubt, the following terms carry the meanings assigned in the full version of this Agreement: "Capital Contribution," "Additional Capital Contributions," "Initial Capital Contribution," "Dissociated Partner," "Expulsion of a Partner," and "Operation of Law."

13. Miscellaneous

  1. Counterparts – This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, together forming one document.

  2. Time of the Essence – All deadlines matter.

  3. Headings – Headings are for convenience only.

  4. Severability – If a court invalidates a clause, the rest stays in force.

  5. Entire Agreement – This document is the whole agreement among the Partners.

  6. Binding Effect – The Agreement binds and benefits the Partners and their legal successors.

  7. Notices – A notice is effective when delivered by hand/agent or seven (7) days after mailing with prepaid postage to a Partner’s last known address.

  8. Cumulative Remedies – Rights and remedies here are in addition to those at law.

I/We solemnly declare that the contents of this document are true and correct to the best of my/our knowledge and belief.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Partners have executed this Agreement on the dates indicated below.

Signed and sworn (or affirmed/declared) before me by videoconference in Ottawa, Ontario, while the Affiant(s)/Declarant(s) were located in ______________________, on ______________________, pursuant to O. Reg. 431/20, and Electronic Commerce Act, 2000.

______________________________
A Commissioner of Oaths / Notary Public

______________________________
______

______________________________
______

The blanks fill themselves in as you type.

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Walkthrough · Step 01 of 04

Partnership Agreement

A compact preview of this template

01Partner Details

Your full name

Description of First Partner's contribution

Province

PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

Between

______ of ______

and

______ of ______

(Together, the "Partners" and individually, a "Partner")

1. Establishment of the Partnership

The Partners hereby form a general partnership (the "Partnership") pursuant to the laws of ______.

Unless this Agreement provides otherwise, the ______ partnership legislation and all other relevant statutes apply.

2. Essential Details

Item

Detail

Name of Partnership

______

Business Purpose

______

Start Date

______ (continues until ended under this Agreement)

Main Address

______ (other locations may be added by mutual consent)

3. Capital Contributions

a. Initial Capital Contribution

Partner

Description

Agreed Value

______

______

______

______

______

______

Each Partner shall deliver the contribution described above in full no later than ______.

b. Additional Capital Contributions

  • No Partner is required to add more capital.

  • If extra funds are needed, any Partner may contribute in proportion to their existing share.

  • If a Partner cannot or will not contribute within a reasonable time, the other Partners may cover the shortfall in the same proportion.

Any amount advanced beyond a Partner's agreed contribution constitutes a loan to the Partnership, repayable with interest at a rate determined by majority vote of the Partners. Such a loan does not enlarge the lending Partner's share of profits or voting power.

c. Withdrawal of Capital

No Partner may withdraw capital without the written agreement of every other Partner.

d. Capital Accounts

The Partnership shall maintain an individual capital account for each Partner recording all contributions made.

4. Profits, Losses, and Financial Administration

1. Decisions -- Matters of distributions, further capital requirements, and other financial questions require unanimous consent except where this Agreement specifies otherwise.

2. Allocation of Profit and Loss -- Net profits and net losses shall be divided among the Partners in proportion to each Partner's aggregate capital contribution.

3. Books and Records -- The Partnership shall maintain complete books prepared in accordance with GAAP, available for inspection by any Partner during normal business hours.

4. Annual Report -- Following the close of each fiscal year, the Partnership shall provide every Partner with:

  • A summary of the financial results suitable for tax filings;

  • A copy of the filed federal tax return; and

  • Any other information a Partner reasonably requests.

5. Banking -- All Partnership funds shall be held in accounts in the Partnership's name; co-mingling with personal or unrelated business funds is prohibited.

6. Audit Rights -- Any Partner may request one independent audit per fiscal year at Partnership expense, to be conducted by a firm approved unanimously by the Partners.

7. Fiscal Year End -- December 31 (unless the Partners unanimously select a different date).

5. Management and Authority

  1. Binding Authority – Any Partner may bind the Partnership on matters in the ordinary course of business.

  2. Operational Decisions – Day-to-day control, major contracts, and other management matters require unanimous approval unless this Agreement states otherwise.

  3. Meetings – Regular meetings will be held as needed. Any Partner may call a special meeting with reasonable notice; the meeting will cover only the stated business.

  4. Voting – Each Partner has one vote of equal weight unless the Partners unanimously agree to weight votes by capital share.

6. Changes in Partnership Membership

  1. Admitting a New Partner – Requires unanimous written consent. The new Partner must sign this Agreement.

  2. Voluntary Withdrawal – A Partner may leave by giving at least three (3) months’ written notice; this dissolves the Partnership.

  3. Involuntary Withdrawal – A Partner is deemed withdrawn (and the Partnership dissolves) upon incapacity, death, prolonged disability, breach of duty, criminal conviction, expulsion, operation of law, or conduct damaging to the business.

  4. Dissociation and Dissolution – If the Partnership dissolves, it will be wound up promptly. Debts are paid first, then Partner loans, then remaining assets are distributed in proportion to capital contributions.

7. Valuation Upon Exit or Dissolution

  1. Asset Distribution Order

    1. Pay third-party creditors.

    2. Repay Partner loans.

    3. Distribute remaining assets by capital share (“Dissolution Distribution”).

  2. Fair Market Value – If needed, an independent accountant (chosen unanimously) will value the Partnership under GAAP. Goodwill is included only if already on the books.

  3. A withdrawing Partner receives their share of the Dissolution Distribution, minus any liabilities.

8. Duties and Restrictions

  1. Duty of Loyalty – No Partner may run a competing business or create a conflict of interest without unanimous written consent.

  2. Duty of Accountability – Any profit made from using Partnership property or name without consent must be paid to the Partnership.

  3. Duty of Care and Time – Each Partner must devote reasonable time and attention as decided by the majority of Partners.

  4. Forbidden Acts – No Partner may:

    • Assign Partnership authority to non-Partners;

    • Break this Agreement;

    • Make the business unviable;

    • Bind the Partnership outside its scope; or

    • Consent to a judgment against the Partnership.

  5. Violation may lead to involuntary withdrawal.

9. Liability and Insurance

  1. Limited Personal Liability – A Partner is not personally liable for acts done in good faith within their authority.

  2. Indemnification – The Partnership will indemnify Partners acting in good faith, except for wilful misconduct, gross negligence, or breach of this Agreement.

  3. Insurance – The Partnership may buy liability insurance for its Partners and employees, and life insurance on any Partner if the Partners agree.

10. Amendments

This Agreement may only be modified by the unanimous written consent of all Partners.

11. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws of ______. Any dispute arising hereunder shall be resolved exclusively in the courts of ______.

12. Definitions

For the avoidance of doubt, the following terms carry the meanings assigned in the full version of this Agreement: "Capital Contribution," "Additional Capital Contributions," "Initial Capital Contribution," "Dissociated Partner," "Expulsion of a Partner," and "Operation of Law."

13. Miscellaneous

  1. Counterparts – This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, together forming one document.

  2. Time of the Essence – All deadlines matter.

  3. Headings – Headings are for convenience only.

  4. Severability – If a court invalidates a clause, the rest stays in force.

  5. Entire Agreement – This document is the whole agreement among the Partners.

  6. Binding Effect – The Agreement binds and benefits the Partners and their legal successors.

  7. Notices – A notice is effective when delivered by hand/agent or seven (7) days after mailing with prepaid postage to a Partner’s last known address.

  8. Cumulative Remedies – Rights and remedies here are in addition to those at law.

I/We solemnly declare that the contents of this document are true and correct to the best of my/our knowledge and belief.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Partners have executed this Agreement on the dates indicated below.

Signed and sworn (or affirmed/declared) before me by videoconference in Ottawa, Ontario, while the Affiant(s)/Declarant(s) were located in ______________________, on ______________________, pursuant to O. Reg. 431/20, and Electronic Commerce Act, 2000.

______________________________
A Commissioner of Oaths / Notary Public

______________________________
______

______________________________
______

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  1. 01

    What is a partnership agreement?

    A partnership agreement is a contract among partners that governs how their business runs and how disputes and exits are handled.

    A clear agreement helps prevent disputes by setting expectations in writing from the start.

  2. 02

    When you might use one

    It is used by people going into business together.

    • Starting a business with one or more partners.
    • Setting out contributions, profit sharing, and responsibilities.
    • Planning for changes, disputes, or a partner leaving.
  3. 04

    How to notarize a partnership agreement in Ontario

    Once you have filled in your partnership agreement and downloaded the PDF, do not sign it in advance if a witnessed or notarized signature is needed. A notary public can witness and notarize your signature so the receiving authority can rely on it.

    Minute Notary notarizes your partnership agreement online by secure video, under Ontario's remote commissioning rules (O. Reg. 431/20), or in person in Ottawa. Bring valid government-issued photo identification.

    • Fill in the document online and download a clean, ready-to-sign PDF — free, no account.
    • Present valid photo ID; we witness your signature and apply the notary seal.
    • Follow the receiving authority’s instructions for submitting the signed document.
Notary’s docket

Good to know

Before you fill it in.

Short notes from our notary on this template. Worth a minute before you start.

  1. 01

    Reviewed for use in Ontario by a notary public and commissioner for taking affidavits.

  2. 02

    Fill it in online for free and download a ready-to-sign PDF — no account required.

  3. 03

    Sign in front of the notary, who administers your oath or witnesses your signature and applies the seal.

  4. 04

    Notarize online by video across Ontario, or in person in Ottawa.

Frequently asked

Questions about the Partnership Agreement

01
What does a partnership agreement cover?
Capital contributions, profit and loss sharing, roles and responsibilities, decision-making, and what happens if a partner leaves or the partnership ends.
02
Do we need legal and tax advice?
Yes. A partnership has legal and tax consequences and partners can be responsible for its obligations, so obtain advice so the agreement fits your situation.
03
Can a notary witness our signatures?
Yes. A notary can witness and notarize the signatures online or in Ottawa, but witnessing is not legal advice.
04
Is it required to have one in writing?
A written agreement is strongly recommended to set clear terms and prevent disputes, even where partners begin informally.

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