One-Way Non-Disclosure Agreement
For a business or inventor who is about to show confidential information to someone who will not be sharing secrets back, such as a freelancer, prospective investor, manufacturer or job candidate working on a test project.
- Fields
- 25
- Pages
- 3
- Paper
- Letter
Fill it online without an account. The blank PDF is free to download and works in any PDF reader. Downloading a filled copy from the editor needs a free account — 3 downloads a month, no watermark. See plans
Reviewed
Before you start
What you need to fill it in
- Legal names and addresses of the disclosing and receiving parties
- What kind of information will be shared (examples help)
- The reason the recipient needs it
- How many years the duty should last
- The governing state
What's inside
25 fields, ready to fill
- 20Typed answersnames, addresses, descriptions
- 3Dateschecked as real dates
- 2Signaturessignature and initials
17 required — the editor counts down how many are left while you fill.
Instructions
How to fill out the One-Way Non-Disclosure Agreement
- 1
Name the discloser and recipient
The disclosing party owns the information. The receiving party takes on all the duties in this form.
- 2
Describe the information
List categories such as product designs, customer lists, source code or pricing. Broad but concrete categories work better than "everything".
- 3
State the permitted purpose
The recipient may use the information only for this purpose, such as "preparing a manufacturing quote".
- 4
Set the duration and governing state
Enter the number of years and pick the state whose law applies.
- 5
Collect the recipient's signature
The recipient must sign. The discloser's signature is recommended so both agree on the terms.
Fill it online
What filling it looks like
- Edit & fill, Invite to sign and Create form are three modes of the same editor
- Amounts are formula fields: they calculate as you type
- The field navigator counts what's left and jumps to the next field
Shown with our invoice template. Sample content; names are fictional.
Written for: General (US)
This template is a general starting point, not legal advice. Laws differ by state and country; have a qualified professional review it for your situation.
Written by PDFBetter and last reviewed October 15, 2026. Spotted a problem? Tell us.
One-Way Non-Disclosure Agreement: questions people ask
Is a one-way NDA enforceable if only the recipient signs?
Often yes, because the recipient is the party taking on obligations. Having both parties sign avoids disputes about whether the discloser agreed to the purpose and term.
Do investors sign NDAs?
Many professional investors decline to sign NDAs for early pitches. Share less sensitive material first and use the NDA when you reach detailed diligence.
Can I send this for e-signature?
Yes. Electronic signatures on NDAs are generally recognized in the US under the ESIGN Act and state UETA laws. Request signatures emails the recipient a signing link and stores the completed copy.
How long should the confidentiality period be?
Two to five years is common for business information. Information that is a trade secret stays protected under this template for as long as it remains a trade secret.
Does this cover employees?
It can, but employee confidentiality is usually handled in an employment or invention-assignment agreement, which may need state-specific language.
Ready when you are
Fill the One-Way Non-Disclosure Agreement now — no account to start.