How to send a document for signature.

Sending a document for signature should be about as simple as sending an email. This walkthrough takes you from upload to the finished copy, with tips to make it smooth for you and the people signing.

1. Upload your document

Start a new envelope from your dashboard. You can upload your own PDF or Word document, such as a contract from your lawyer, a proposal or a form from someone else, or start from one of your saved templates. The document appears in a preview so you can check every page before moving on.

2. Add the people who need to sign

For each signer, enter their name, which appears in the invitation and on the signed document, and their email address, where the invitation goes. The link is tied to that address.

If the order matters, such as an employee signing before a manager countersigns, choose signing in order. Otherwise everyone is invited at once and signs when it suits them. You can add yourself as a signer, and copy in people who only need the finished document.

3. Place the fields

Use the field editor to put fields where each signer needs to act. Each field is colored to match a signer, so you can see at a glance who fills in what.

• Signature, the main signing field.
• Initials, for documents that need each page initialed.
• Date signed, filled in when the signer finishes.
• Name, filled in from the invitation.
• Text, for details such as a job title or address.

4. Write the message and send

Add a subject line and a short message. A clear message helps people sign promptly. Say what the document is, why it needs signing, and any deadline.

You can also set an expiry date, after which the link stops working. When you are ready, send. Signers get an email with a link to review and sign, and they do not need an account.

5. Track and remind

Your dashboard shows where each envelope is: sent, viewed, signed and completed. Set reminders to go out automatically while a signature is outstanding, or send one yourself from the envelope at any time. Filter by status, date or recipient to find what you need.

6. Download the finished document

When everyone has signed, you get a completion email. The signed document comes with a completion certificate and its audit trail, and it is a standard PDF you can open anywhere, file in your own system or share with your accountant.

Tips for faster signing

• Make the subject specific. "Your NDA with Acme Corp" beats "Document for signing".
• Keep the message short. Two or three sentences covering what, why and when.
• Set a deadline. An expiry date gives people a reason to act now.
• Ask only for what you need. Fewer fields means a quicker finish.
• Send during the signer's working day, when they are most likely to be at their inbox.
• Use templates for repeat documents, so the setup takes seconds and stays consistent.

What your signers see

1. An email with your message and a button to review and sign.
2. The document in their browser, with no account or download.
3. Their own fields highlighted as they scroll through.
4. A signature they can draw or type.
5. A finish button once every required field is done, and the finished document by email afterwards.