Referral Fee Agreements (RFA)
How to create, send, and get an RFA signed — whether you're the referring or receiving agent.
Create an RFA in the Side App
The Side App generates a pre-filled Referral Fee Agreement (RFA) based on the details you enter. This is the fastest way to get a properly formatted agreement ready to send.
- Log in to the Side App and click the Community tab in the left navigation.
- Select Client Referrals.
- Click New Referral and choose whether you are sending or receiving the referral.
- Enter the required details: referring agent, receiving agent, client name, and referral fee percentage.
- Submit to generate the RFA. The app will pre-populate the agreement with the information you entered.
Send the RFA for Signature
Once your RFA is generated, you'll prepare and send it via DocuSign directly from the Side App.
- After submitting the referral details, click Prepare Envelope on the referral record.
- Review the document, add any additional details needed, then click Send Envelope.
- All parties — including the broker — will receive the DocuSign link for signature.
- Track signature status from the Referrals section of the Side App at any time.
Receiving an RFA from Another Agent
If an agent outside Side sends you a referral fee agreement to sign, do not forward it to Side Support. Instead, enter the referral directly into the Side App so your broker can sign through the proper channel.
- Go to Community → Client Referrals in the Side App.
- Create a new referral and select Receiving to indicate you are the receiving agent.
- Enter the referring agent's information and the agreed referral fee.
- The Side App will generate a Side-formatted RFA and route it for broker signature automatically.
Getting Broker Signature on an External RFA
If the referring agent insists on using their own form and it cannot be re-entered into the Side App, send the document to broker@side.com via DocuSign for broker signature. Include the names of both agents and confirm the referral details are accurate.
| Situation | What to Do |
|---|---|
| You created the referral in the Side App | Send envelope from the Side App — broker is automatically included |
| External agent sent you a DocuSign to sign | Enter the referral in the Side App (Receiving direction) to generate a proper RFA |
| External agent requires their own form | Send via DocuSign to broker@side.com and confirm referral details |
| You received a voided RFA | Check the Side App for a note, or contact Side Support to find out why it was voided |
After the RFA Is Signed
Once all parties have signed, upload the executed RFA to the associated transaction in Side Compliance Review. If you are the receiving agent, the referral will appear in your Referrals tab and payment tracking will begin once Side receives the commission funds.
The RFA has been signed by all parties — what do I do next? →
Steps for uploading the executed agreement and linking it to your transaction.
Where can I check the status of my referral payment? →
Track whether your referral commission has been received and disbursed.
Common Questions
Why did Side void my RFA?
RFAs are voided if the broker cannot verify the referral details or if the form was sent from a non-Side email without confirmation from the Side agent. Contact Side Support if you believe a voiding was made in error.
Can I send the RFA directly to broker@side.com?
Yes, but only for external referral forms when re-entering through the Side App is not possible. Side App-generated RFAs automatically include the broker as a signer — use the App whenever you can.
Can I create a referral on behalf of another team member?
Yes — Partners and Admins can create referrals on behalf of agents on their team. Navigate to Client Referrals and enter the relevant agent's details when creating the file.
I made a mistake on the RFA. How do I correct it?
If the envelope has not yet been signed, void it and create a new referral in the Side App. If it's already fully executed, contact Side Support for guidance on corrections.