Free memorandum of understanding (MOU) template (Word)

A memorandum of understanding for two organisations working together: the purpose, what each side will do, how costs are shared, the term, optional confidentiality, and a clear choice of whether it is legally binding.

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No sign-up. Your answers stay in your browser. Who it is for: Businesses, charities, schools and public bodies agreeing a partnership, pilot or joint project before, or instead of, a full contract.

Updated 6 October 2026 · Word (.docx) · Free to use and adapt

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What is in the memorandum of understanding (MOU)

Parties and short names
Purpose of the collaboration
What each party will do, as two lists
Shared costs, or each side pays its own
Start and end dates, and ending early by notice
Optional confidentiality for a set number of years
Binding or non-binding, with the binding parts named
Contact people and governing law
Signature blocks

First page of the free memorandum of understanding (MOU) template for Word

Read the full template

This is the complete wording. [Labels] are filled in from your answers, and highlighted text only appears when it applies; hover over it to see when.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

This Memorandum of Understanding (the "MOU") is made on [Effective date] between [Party A name], [Party A address] ("[Party A short name]"), and [Party B name], [Party B address] ("[Party B short name]").

1. Purpose

This MOU records the parties' shared understanding about [Purpose].

2. What each party will do

[Party A short name] will:

Repeated for each party a commitment

[A commitment]

[Party B short name] will:

Repeated for each party b commitment

[B commitment]

3. Costs

The parties will share the costs of the activities in this MOU as follows: [Cost sharing terms]Each party will pay its own costs of the activities in this MOU.

4. Term

This MOU takes effect on [Effective date] and continues until [End date], unless either party ends it earlier by written notice to the other. The parties may extend it by agreeing in writing.

Each party will keep confidential any non-public information it receives from the other under this MOU, and use it only for the purpose above, during this MOU and for [Confidentiality years] years after it ends.

5. Legal effect

This MOU is a statement of the parties' intentions. Apart from this section, the section on costs and the confidentiality paragraph, which are binding, it does not create legal obligations, and either party may withdraw from the activities it describes. Any binding commitment will be set out in a separate written agreement signed by both parties.The parties intend this MOU to be a legally binding agreement between them.

6. Contacts

[Party A short name]: [Party A contact name], [Party A contact email]. [Party B short name]: [Party B contact name], [Party B contact email].

7. Governing law

This MOU is governed by the laws of [Governing law].

Signed for [Party A name]: ____________________________ [Party A signatory]

Signed for [Party B name]: ____________________________ [Party B signatory]

The questions you answer

Clausery turns the template into a short questionnaire. Optional parts only appear when they apply.

Question	Type	Asked when
Effective date	Date	Always
Party A name	Short text	Always
Party A address	Long text	Always
Party A short name	Short text	Always
Party B name	Short text	Always
Party B address	Long text	Always
Party B short name	Short text	Always
Purpose	Long text	Always
Party A commitments For each item: A commitment	Repeating group	Always
Party B commitments For each item: B commitment	Repeating group	Always
Has shared costs	Yes / no	Always
Cost sharing terms	Long text	If “Has shared costs” is yes
End date	Date	Always
Include confidentiality	Yes / no	Always
Confidentiality years	Number	If “Include confidentiality” is yes
Is binding	Yes / no	Always
Party A contact name	Short text	Always
Party A contact email	Email	Always
Party B contact name	Short text	Always
Party B contact email	Email	Always
Governing law	Short text	Always
Party A signatory	Short text	Always
Party B signatory	Short text	Always

How to use it

Open it
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Answer the questions
Work through the sections. Drafts save as you type, on your device.
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Prefer to start from your own wording? Download the Word file, edit it, keep the {tags}, and upload it to Clausery. See the template syntax.

Questions

Is an MOU legally binding?

It depends on the wording and how the parties act, not on the title. This template lets you choose: non-binding apart from named clauses such as confidentiality, or binding. Read the guide on whether an MOU is binding before you sign.

What is the difference between an MOU and a contract?

A contract creates obligations the courts will enforce. An MOU usually records shared intentions and a plan, often before a contract is negotiated, though a detailed MOU that says it is binding can be a contract.

Is it really free?

Yes. The download is free, and filling it in with the Clausery app is free too, with unlimited documents. Library templates never count towards a plan limit, and no account or card is needed.

Is my information uploaded anywhere?

No. Clausery runs entirely in your browser. Your answers and the finished document are created and stored on your own device.

Is this legal advice?

No. These are general samples. Laws differ between countries and states, so have the wording reviewed for your situation before you rely on it.

Clauses in this template, explained

Guide: Is an MOU legally binding? How it differs from a contract

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This template is a general sample and not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction; have it reviewed before use.