A Translator usually reaches for a Retainer Agreement when for continuing work billed on a repeating monthly cycle. This free template does one job well: it sets recurring fees, an agreed scope and notice terms for ongoing monthly work. It is written for how translators actually work — around translating a document, website or set of files between two languages, the familiar headache of disagreements over translation quality, tone or subjective word choices, and getting paid on a per-word or per-project rate, often with a deposit for large volumes. Use a Retainer Agreement rather than something looser, because for a single fixed-scope project — use a service agreement instead. Edit any line to fit your rates and terms, then send it for e-signature in a couple of minutes — no account for your client, and it is legally binding under the ESIGN Act and eIDAS.
RETAINER AGREEMENT — TRANSLATOR
1. PARTIES
This Retainer Agreement ("Agreement") is made on ____________ between ____________ ("Client") and ____________ (the "Provider"), a Translator. Together they are the "Parties".
2. MONTHLY SCOPE
Each month the Provider will deliver the following for the Translator engagement: ____________. Work beyond this monthly scope is agreed in writing and billed separately.
3. FEES & BILLING CYCLE
The monthly fee is $____________, billed on the ____________ of each month. Standard terms for a Translator are a per-word or per-project rate, often with a deposit for large volumes.
4. HOURS / DELIVERABLES
The retainer covers ____________ hours or the deliverables listed above each month. Typical support for a Translator includes an accurate translated document in the target language.
5. ROLLOVER & OVERAGE
Unused hours do not roll over unless agreed in writing. Work beyond the monthly block — for example added source text, certification, or formatting work beyond the original count — is billed at $____________ per hour with prior approval.
6. TERM & NOTICE
This retainer runs month to month and renews automatically. Either Party may cancel with ____________ days' notice; completed portions are billed per word and the deposit covers work in progress.
7. IP & CONFIDENTIALITY
The Client owns the deliverables produced under this retainer once paid. Both Parties keep each other's information confidential, which for a Translator especially covers copyright in the translation and confidentiality of the source material.
8. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement is governed by the laws of ____________, and any dispute will be handled in the courts of ____________.
9. SOURCE CONFIDENTIALITY
The Provider keeps the source material and translation strictly confidential and uses it only to complete the work.
10. QUALITY & CORRECTIONS
The Provider will correct genuine errors free of charge. Subjective preferences on tone or word choice — a common source of disagreements over translation quality, tone or subjective word choices — are handled as revisions.
11. CERTIFICATION
Certified or sworn translation is provided only if agreed in writing and is priced separately.
12. PER-WORD BASIS
The fee is $____________ per source word. Added text or formatting beyond the original count is quoted separately.
SIGNATURES
Signed by the Parties on the date first written above. Both Parties keep a copy. An electronic signature is legally binding under the ESIGN Act and eIDAS.
Client: ______________________ Date: __________
Provider: ____________________ Date: __________This Retainer Agreement ("Agreement") is made on ____________ between ____________ ("Client") and ____________ (the "Provider"), a Translator. Together they are the "Parties".
Each month the Provider will deliver the following for the Translator engagement: ____________. Work beyond this monthly scope is agreed in writing and billed separately.
The monthly fee is $____________, billed on the ____________ of each month. Standard terms for a Translator are a per-word or per-project rate, often with a deposit for large volumes.
The retainer covers ____________ hours or the deliverables listed above each month. Typical support for a Translator includes an accurate translated document in the target language.
Unused hours do not roll over unless agreed in writing. Work beyond the monthly block — for example added source text, certification, or formatting work beyond the original count — is billed at $____________ per hour with prior approval.
This retainer runs month to month and renews automatically. Either Party may cancel with ____________ days' notice; completed portions are billed per word and the deposit covers work in progress.
The Client owns the deliverables produced under this retainer once paid. Both Parties keep each other's information confidential, which for a Translator especially covers copyright in the translation and confidentiality of the source material.
This Agreement is governed by the laws of ____________, and any dispute will be handled in the courts of ____________.
The Provider keeps the source material and translation strictly confidential and uses it only to complete the work.
The Provider will correct genuine errors free of charge. Subjective preferences on tone or word choice — a common source of disagreements over translation quality, tone or subjective word choices — are handled as revisions.
Certified or sworn translation is provided only if agreed in writing and is priced separately.
The fee is $____________ per source word. Added text or formatting beyond the original count is quoted separately.
Signed by the Parties on the date first written above. Both Parties keep a copy. An electronic signature is legally binding under the ESIGN Act and eIDAS.
Without one, added source text, certification, or formatting work beyond the original count eats the month for free. Price any work beyond the agreed block.
Decide up front whether unused hours carry over — silence is where arguments start for translators.
Set the notice to cancel so a client cannot drop a Translator mid-month, and confirm completed portions are billed per word and the deposit covers work in progress.
When the work repeats every month rather than being translating a document, website or set of files between two languages with a clear finish line.
On a monthly cycle, commonly a per-word or per-project rate, often with a deposit for large volumes. The template bills in advance so you are never working unpaid.
Yes. Once you and your client sign it — including with an electronic signature — this Retainer Agreement is a binding contract under the ESIGN Act, eIDAS and similar laws in most countries.
Point them back to the scope. Extra work such as added source text, certification, or formatting work beyond the original count is quoted separately — that is exactly what the written terms are for.
Yes. Paste it into Signr, drop the signature fields on, and send a link. Your client signs from any device with no account, and you both get a sealed, court-ready copy.
Paste the template into Signr, drop signature fields on, and send. Your client signs from any device, no account needed, and you both get a sealed, court-ready copy.
Create your free agreement →