What is the difference between an authorization form and a consent form?

Both capture permission, but the emphasis differs. An authorization form grants permission to take an action, such as charging an account, releasing liability, or using a likeness. A consent form documents agreement to something happening to the person, like a medical procedure. The template list covers both, so pick the one that matches your situation and confirm specifics with your own counsel.

Can I collect a signature and payment details on the same form?

Yes. Add a signature field for the typed authorization and separate fields for the account information, then mark the essentials as required. A file upload field can hold a voided check or supporting document. The form stores each record securely and emails you on submission. It captures the signed authorization you keep on file; whether it meets a specific payment standard is something to confirm with your provider.

How do I authorize a recurring charge with a form?

Build a form that states the amount, the schedule, and the account to be charged, then require a signature to confirm the person agreed. Conditional logic can show one-time versus recurring fields based on what they select. Each submission lands in one secure dashboard with an email notification. Use the form as the authorization record, and run the actual debit through your payment processor.

How do I keep authorization records organized for many people?

Share one form rather than emailing copies. Publish it as a web link, embed it on your site, or post a QR code, and every person submits into the same secure dashboard. You get an email on each submission, and you can filter and export the records by date or type. This scales from a single client to a full event roster.

Do online authorization forms hold up legally?

The form builder collects and stores a signed, time-stamped record with the fields you require, which is what most operational and financial authorizations call for. A typed signature field and a file upload give you both the agreement and any supporting document. Whether your specific use meets a legal or regulatory standard depends on your situation, so confirm the requirements with your own counsel.

Authorization Form Templates (13 Forms)

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Authorization form templates

Choose from customizable authorization form templates to collect permissions, approvals, consents, and authorizations securely online.

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Authorization form templates

Find authorization form templates for payments, medical records, employment, travel, background checks, and more.

Consent Form Template

Used 5,000+ times

Collect informed consent for events, research, media, HR, and data use with this flexible consent form template. Used 5,000+ times.

Social Media Consent Form Template

Easily obtain permission to share photos, videos, or content with our social media consent form template. Ensure compliance and more.

Photo Release Consent Form

Use our photo and video permission form template to request and document consent for capturing and sharing images or recordings.

Audio Recording Consent Form Template

Ensure informed consent for podcasts, broadcasts, and media with our Audio Recording Consent Form Template. Easily collect digital signatures.

ACH Authorization Form Template

Simplify payment authorization with the ACH Authorization Form Template powered by SurveyMonkey. Secure, customizable, and ready to use - get started today to streamline your processes.

Release of Liability Form Template

Protect your organization with the Release of Liability Form Template powered by SurveyMonkey. Easily collect signed agreements to ensure legal compliance.

Waiver Form Template

Protect your organization with the Waiver Form Template powered by SurveyMonkey. Easily collect signed waivers to ensure compliance and reduce liability.

Release Form Template

Obtain permission and protect your media rights with our Release Form Template.

Tattoo Consent Form Survey Template

Use the SurveyMonkey tattoo consent form template to ensure a smooth and professional client intake process.

Therapy Consent Form Survey Template

Use our therapy consent form to efficiently gather consent from clients and meet liability requirements.

Lash Extension Consent Form Template

Request consent from your customers in seconds with this intuitive and dynamic lash extension consent form template by SurveyMonkey.

Media Consent Form Template

Gather consent signatures and approval for media use quickly with the media consent form template from SurveyMonkey.

Parent Consent Form Survey Template

Easily collect information from parents with the SurveyMonkey parent consent form survey. Simplify data collection and save better digital records.

Authorization form templates at a glance

Stat	Figure
Total authorization form templates	13
Most-used template	Consent form
Short form completion rate (1-10 fields)	99.5%
Medium form completion rate (11-20 fields)	96.4%
Long form completion rate (21+ fields)	91.7%
Average fields per form	5.9

What are authorization forms?

Before you charge a card, use someone's photo, or let a client take part in a physical activity, you need their permission on record. An authorization form captures a person's signed permission to act, so you hold a documented record the moment you proceed. These 13 templates span financial authorization, liability release, and media consent.

On SurveyMonkey, you set the name, date, and signature as required fields, so no authorization comes back missing the parts that make it count. The signature field captures a typed signature on the form, and a file upload field collects a voided check, an ID, or a supporting document. Conditional logic reveals case-specific fields, like guardian details, only when the answer calls for them. Submissions are encrypted and stored securely.

Authorization forms average a 99.0% completion rate at 5.9 fields. Short forms of 1-10 fields finish at 99.5%; those past 21 settle at 91.7%. Share by link, website embed, or QR code, and get an email the moment each authorization arrives. For broader setup, see our guide to creating online forms.

How to create an authorization form

Pick one of the 13 templates on this page, or start from the consent form template.
Add the fields your case needs: name, date, the specific permission, and a signature.
Mark name, date, and signature as required so no authorization comes back incomplete.
For a payment authorization, add fields for the account details and a file upload for a voided check.
Set an email notification so you know the moment someone authorizes.
Share by link, website embed, or QR code, then review records in your dashboard.

When to use authorization forms

Payment authorization: Collect the account details and signed permission to run an ACH or recurring charge, and keep that record on file.
Liability release and waivers: Document that a participant accepts a risk before a physical activity or event.
Media and recording release: Get permission to use someone's image, voice, or likeness.
Background and screening checks: Capture signed authorization before you run a check on an applicant.
Treatment and service authorization: Record permission before a medical, beauty, or wellness procedure.

Who runs authorization forms

Office and operations managers: They handle releases, waivers, and permissions across events, vendors, and staff, and want a professional form without a developer.
Finance and accounts payable teams: They need signed payment authorization on file before they set up a recurring debit.
Event and program coordinators: They gather waivers and media releases from participants at scale.
Beauty and wellness professionals: They take client authorization before a treatment, from tattoo artists to lash technicians.

Tips for creating an authorization form

Keep it short: Authorization forms of 1-10 fields complete at 99.5% against 91.7% past 21, so collect only what the permission requires.
Require the signature: Mark name, date, and the signature field as required so every record comes back usable.
Use a signature field, not a checkbox: A typed signature makes a cleaner record of intent than a plain agree box.
Collect the backup document: Add a file upload for a voided check, an ID, or a prior agreement when the authorization needs proof.

Frequently asked questions about authorization forms

What is the difference between an authorization form and a consent form?
Can I collect a signature and payment details on the same form?
Yes. Add a signature field for the typed authorization and separate fields for the account information, then mark the essentials as required. A file upload field can hold a voided check or supporting document. The form stores each record securely and emails you on submission. It captures the signed authorization you keep on file; whether it meets a specific payment standard is something to confirm with your provider.
How do I authorize a recurring charge with a form?
How do I keep authorization records organized for many people?
Do online authorization forms hold up legally?
The form builder collects and stores a signed, time-stamped record with the fields you require, which is what most operational and financial authorizations call for. A typed signature field and a file upload give you both the agreement and any supporting document. Whether your specific use meets a legal or regulatory standard depends on your situation, so confirm the requirements with your own counsel.

Related categories

Consent forms · Application forms · Employment forms · Request forms · Forms