---
title: Add a client
description: "Add Client adds a client to Seamlss by hand: it creates their record and nothing else. The client isn't contacted, asked for details, ID checked or sent a letter. To onboard a client, so they fill in their own details,…"
url: "https://seamlss.com.au/help/add-clients/"
updated: "2026-10-06"
category: Clients
---

# Add a client

Add Client adds a client to Seamlss by hand: it creates their record and nothing else. The client isn't contacted, asked for details, ID checked or sent a letter.

To onboard a client, so they fill in their own details, verify their ID and sign your engagement letter, follow [Onboard your first client](https://seamlss.com.au/help/onboard-your-first-client/). The Onboard Client tab in Seamlss points you to the same place: a client request.

**In Seamlss:** **Client Management**, **Clients**, **Add Client**.

[Open Clients](https://seamlss.app/Dashboard/Clients)

**Is this the right way?** Onboarding a new client? Use [Onboard your first client](https://seamlss.com.au/help/onboard-your-first-client/). Many clients at once? Use [Bulk imports](https://seamlss.com.au/help/bulk-imports/).

## Add a client

1. Open Add Client
   Go to **Clients** and select the **Add Client** tab.
   ![The Add Client tab](https://seamlss.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/seamlss-clients-add-tab-scaled.png)
2. Choose the entity type
   Individual, Company, Sole Trader, Partnership, Trust, Trust with Trustee Company, SMSF, Unit Trust, Not for Profit, Estate, Club or Society, Government Entity or Other. The name fields change to suit. Get it right now: it decides what a request can ask for later.
3. Add a contact
   The section says optional, but a client with no contact can't be sent anything. Search an existing contact, or select **Add a new contact**. The first contact becomes the primary contact.
4. Select Add Client
   The client appears in the List tab. Open the record to add an ABN, addresses or groups, or [send a client request](https://seamlss.com.au/help/how-to-send-a-client-request/) with Entity Forms so the client fills them in.

**Each person needs their own email and mobile.** Two people sharing one address is the most common reason a client can't log in or verify their identity, because Seamlss can't tell whose reply is whose. See [when two people share an email](https://seamlss.com.au/help/each-person-needs-their-own-email/).

## Something not working?

 The client saved but I can't send them anything

No contact is attached. Open the record and add one.

A duplicate client appeared

They may already exist under a slightly different name, or have come across from XPM. Search before adding, including archived clients.

The entity type is wrong

Change it on the client record. You don't need to delete and start again.

Still stuck? [Contact support](https://seamlss.com.au/support/) and tell us what you see.