How to Join

Step 1: Submit the Applicable Agreement(s)

Each Agreement needs to be completed in its entirety with the exception of the subsidiary listing section. This section should only be completed if your organization intends on having more than one subsidiary participating in the same forum. In addition, the agreements MUST be signed by a corporate officer, senior-level executive, or an individual that has the authority to bind your organization to a nationwide contract. If the agreement is signed electronically, the digital signature must be backed by a digital certificate (e.g., Adobe Sign or DocuSign). The agreement is valid and binding from the date in which the agreement is signed.

Upon completion of the agreement, please forward a signed copy to the attention of membership@arbfile.org or send to:

Arbitration Forums, Inc.
Attn: Membership Services
3820 Northdale Boulevard, Suite 115
Tampa, Florida 33624

You may request membership information via membership@arbfile.org or call 1-866-977-3434.

Step 2: Submit Administration Forms

The next step is to provide information on who will be administering users at your company and where notifications will be sent. Completed forms must be emailed to membership@arbfile.org.

Important Note: AF does not accept content changes to the forms. If signed electronically, the digital signature(s) must be backed by a digital certificate (e.g., Adobe Sign or DocuSign).

Security Administrators Form
Security administrators have a user designation that allows them to add, modify, and remove business units and users for their company. Regardless of the business unit to which they are assigned, administrators can control business units and users for the entire company. Security administrators can also specify company preferences related to their company's participation in AF's programs.

Global Authorization Form
Each member company must provide a global email address to which AF will send its notifications. Only an authorized officer of the member company may approve the process.

For Members Using Third-Party Administrators (TPAs)*
We set up TPAs with their own company code and dedicated security administrator. Should you wish to have a TPA file on your behalf, both a TPA Consent Form and a TPA Access Agreement must be completed and returned to membership@arbfile.org or

Arbitration Forums, Inc.
Attn: Membership Services
3820 Northdale Boulevard, Suite 115
Tampa, Florida 33624

Important Note: The consent form, access agreement, and removal form MUST be signed by a corporate officer, senior level executive, or an individual that has the authority to bind the organization to a nationwide contract and not be case specific. If signed electronically, the digital signature(s) must be backed by a digital certificate (e.g., Adobe Sign or DocuSign). Upon receiving the correct documentation, TPA documents are processed in 3 business days in most cases.

TPA Consent Form
The consent form must be signed and submitted by the member company to authorize AF to web-enable a third-party administrator and grant access to the member’s cases on AF’s website.

TPA Access Agreement
The access agreement must be signed and submitted by the TPA company agreeing to access the Services provided by AF, as limited by the Terms of Use and only on behalf of each member expressly granting the TPA authority in writing.

TPA Removal Form
The removal form must be signed and submitted by the member company when requesting that a TPA's access to file and/or respond on the member’s behalf be removed.

More Information

Now that you've completed the agreement and administrative forms, take a look at the reference and training materials we provide on the various intercompany arbitration Forums and processes to ensure your success and satisfaction. Tutorials are self-paced, so you can pause and rewind sections at your convenience.

Featured Training

TRS Filing (Coll/OTC) — Reviews the Filing workflow for TRS.

FAQs

What level of authority is needed to sign an agreement?

A corporate officer, senior level executive, or an individual that has the authority to bind your organization to a nationwide contract must sign the agreements.

What is a digital signature?

A digital signature—a type of electronic signature—is a mathematical algorithm routinely used to validate the authenticity and integrity of a message (e.g., an email, a credit card transaction, or a digital document). Digital signatures create a virtual fingerprint that is unique to a person or entity and are used to identify users and protect information in digital messages or documents. In emails, the email content itself becomes part of the digital signature. Digital signatures are significantly more secure than other forms of electronic signatures.

Can the agreements be sent via email?

Yes. Upon completion of the agreement, please forward a signed copy to the attention of membership@arbfile.org or send to:

Arbitration Forums, Inc.
Attn: Membership Services
3820 Northdale Boulevard, Suite 115
Tampa, Florida 33624

How does a member company withdraw from an arbitration program?

Members must complete and sign a notice of withdrawal on the member company’s letterhead and submit it to membership@arbfile.org or

Arbitration Forums, Inc.
Attn: Membership Services
3820 Northdale Boulevard, Suite 115
Tampa, Florida 33624

The notice MUST be signed by a corporate officer, senior-level executive, or an individual that has the authority to bind your organization to a nationwide contract. If the notice is signed electronically, the digital signature must be backed by a digital certificate (e.g., Adobe Sign or DocuSign).

I am a security administrator, now what?

Please reach out to the Member Service Center at 1-866-977-3434 or submit a ticket in the member support portal with any questions.

I am a TPA that needs to file on behalf of a member company, what do I do?

Arbitration Forums now requires that both a TPA Consent Form and a TPA Access Agreement be completed and returned to membership@arbfile.org or

Arbitration Forums, Inc.
Attn: Membership Services
3820 Northdale Boulevard, Suite 115
Tampa, Florida 33624

The TPA Consent Form must be signed and submitted by the member company to authorize AF to web-enable a third-party administrator and grant access to the member’s cases on AF’s website.

The TPA Access Agreement must be signed and submitted by the TPA company agreeing to access the Services provided by AF, as limited by the Terms of Use and only on behalf of each member expressly granting the TPA authority in writing.

Both the consent form and access agreement MUST be signed by a corporate officer, senior level executive, or an individual that has the authority to bind the organization to a nationwide contract and not be case specific. If signed electronically, the digital signature(s) must be backed by a digital certificate (e.g., Adobe Sign or DocuSign).

How long does it take to process the TPA consent form and access agreement?

In most cases, TPA documents are processed in 3 business days.