Free Blank California Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) (2026)

Download an empty Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) template for California: the same statute-aware layout our generator uses, with blank lines to fill in by hand. No account, no email, no watermark.

Updated September 2026free, no account

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California rules that this document follows

Trade secret statute	California Uniform Trade Secrets ActSource: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 3426-3426.11
NDA cannot cover	pre-dispute sexual harassment/assault claims (federal Speak Out Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 19401-19404); employee wage/working-condition discussion (NLRA § 7; McLaren Macomb, 372 NLRB No. 58 (2023)); reports to government agencies/whistleblowing (SEC Rule 21F-17; 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) immunity); facts of sexual harassment, sexual assault, discrimination or retaliation in settlement agreements (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1001); unlawful workplace acts in employment/separation agreements (SB 331 Silenced No More Act, Cal. Gov't Code § 12964.5); employee's own wages (Cal. Lab. Code § 232) and working conditions (§ 232.5); disclosure to government agencies (Cal. Lab. Code § 1102.5; Gov't Code § 12964.5(a)(1)(B))Source: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1001; Cal. Gov't Code § 12964.5; Cal. Civ. Code § 1670.11; Cal. Lab. Code §§ 232, 232.5, 1102.5; 42 U.S.C. §§ 19401-19404; 29 U.S.C. § 157; 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b)
Non-compete status	banned — Void regardless of where or when signed; employer must have notified affected employees by Feb. 14, 2024; sale-of-business and partnership dissolution exceptions only; private right of actionSource: Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 16600, 16600.1, 16600.5, 16601-16602.5
Non-solicitation	Employee no-poach clause void — not offered. Customer non-solicits void (Edwards v. Arthur Andersen, 44 Cal. 4th 937 (2008)); employee non-solicits likely void (AMN Healthcare v. Aya, 28 Cal. App. 5th 923 (2018)); trade-secret-based restrictions allowedSource: Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 16600
Employee NDA notice	State-required carve-out language added automatically for employee NDAsSource: Cal. Gov't Code § 12964.5
Choice-of-law limits	Employer may not require a California-resident employee to agree to out-of-state forum or law as a condition of employment (Cal. Lab. Code § 925); § 16600.5 voids non-competes 'regardless of where and when' signed
DTSA whistleblower notice	Included (required to recover exemplary damages/fees from employees and contractors)Source: 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b)

Frequently asked questions

Is the blank template free?

Yes. The blank Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is free to download as PDF or Word — no account, no watermark. The paid version is the completed document our generator builds from your answers.

Is it valid in California?

The template follows the California rules listed on this page (reviewed September 2026). A blank form becomes a binding document only once it is completed correctly and signed by the parties. Check the state facts below and consider an attorney for unusual situations.

Should I fill it by hand or online?

Online is safer: the generator applies California limits and notice periods, validates your entries and produces a clean PDF and Word file. Filling by hand works for simple cases — write clearly, initial every page and keep a signed copy for each party.

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