What is a earnest money receipt?
Earnest money is often the first large sum a buyer pays on a home, sometimes days before the escrow file is fully set up. A signed receipt gives the buyer proof of the amount, the date, the form of payment and the account where the money sits. It also gives the holder a record that the buyer has checked those details.
The holder can be an escrow or title company, a broker, an attorney or the seller. You link the receipt to the property, the seller and the date of the purchase agreement, record the payment, and describe the holding account (last digits only) and how interest is treated. The receipt says plainly that it doesn't change the purchase agreement, which still decides who gets the deposit. A short wire-fraud warning reminds the buyer to confirm any new payment instructions by phone.
- Best for
- Earnest money or good-faith deposits on home and land purchases
- Signed by
- The holder (escrow, broker, attorney or seller) and the buyer
- Records
- Amount, date, form of payment, reference, holding account
- Length
- 2 pages
When to use a earnest money receipt
- A title company confirming a wired earnest money deposit
- A listing broker receipting a cashier's check into its trust account
- A seller in a private sale receiving a buyer's deposit directly
- An attorney holding a deposit under escrow instructions
- Receipting a second deposit after the inspection period
What you fill in
21 blanks, then the name and email of each person who signs: holder, buyer.
1 The receipt
- Receipt number (optional)
- Date of this receipt*
- Holder (company or person)*
- Holder is* the escrow or title company · the seller's real estate broker · the buyer's real estate broker · the attorney for one of the parties · the seller
- Holder's licence or registration (optional)
- Holder's phone or email*
2 The purchase
- Buyer name(s)*
- Seller name(s)*
- Property address*
- Date of the purchase agreement*
- Purchase agreement or escrow reference (optional)
3 The deposit
- Currency*
- Amount received*
- Amount in words (optional)
- Date received*
- Form of payment* wire transfer · bank transfer · cashier's check · personal check · money order · cash
- Check number or transfer reference (optional)
- Paid from (bank or account holder, optional)
4 Where it is held
- Where the money is held*
- Interest* The account does not pay interest to the parties. · Any interest earned follows the purchase agreement and the law that applies to the account.
- Further deposit due (optional)
5 Who signs
- Holder signature and date, job title · Whoever received and holds the deposit: the escrow or title company, the agent or broker, the attorney, or the seller.
- Buyer signature and date · The buyer who paid the deposit. If there are several buyers, name them all above and add each one as a signer in the editor.
What the earnest money receipt covers
- The purchase
- The deposit received
- Where the money is held
- Release of the deposit
- Buyer's confirmation
Using the earnest money receipt, step by step
1 Identify the holder
Enter the holder's name and role, any licence number and contact details.
2 Link the purchase
Enter the buyer, seller, property and date of the purchase agreement, and an escrow reference if you have one.
3 Record the payment
Enter the amount, date received, form of payment, any check number or transfer reference, and where it was paid from.
4 Say where it's held
Describe the account, choose the interest statement, note any further deposit due, and send it to the buyer to sign.
Tips before you send it
- Rules for brokers' and escrow trust accounts, including how quickly funds must be deposited, vary by place. Follow yours.
- Show only the last digits of any account number on the receipt.
- A receipt for a check is subject to it clearing. Tell everyone promptly if it doesn't.
- Store the receipt with the purchase agreement in your vault. You may need it if the sale falls through.
Sign it online in minutes
- Fill in the blanks. Names, dates and amounts go straight into the agreement — the preview shows exactly where.
- Name who signs. Tick “This is me” for your own part. FileIt builds the PDF with every signature, date box on the right line, and you can check or move anything before sending.
- Send it. Each signer gets a secure link and signs from any device — no account needed. The signed PDF, with an audit trail and a Certificate of Completion, is filed in your vault and emailed to everyone.
Earnest money receipt: frequently asked questions
Does the receipt decide who gets the deposit if the sale fails?
No. It only confirms receipt and where the money is held. The purchase agreement, joint instructions, a court order or the law decide where it goes.
Can the seller hold the earnest money?
In a private sale, sometimes, if the parties agree and the law allows it. Many buyers prefer a neutral escrow or title company or a broker's trust account.
Why is there a wire-fraud warning?
Criminals target property buyers with fake emails that change payment instructions. The receipt reminds the buyer to confirm any new instructions by phoning a number they already know.
Is an e-signed receipt valid?
Generally, yes. A receipt or acknowledgement can be signed electronically under laws such as the US ESIGN Act and UETA, eIDAS and UK law. FileIt keeps an audit trail and a Certificate of Completion.