Signing a document you were sent

Someone has sent you a document to sign electronically. You do not need an account.

Open it

You will get an email titled Please sign: (the document's name) from the firm. It contains a link that is private to you. Do not forward it: anyone with the link could open the document. The link works until the date in the email.

If the sender asked for an access code, you will see a short page asking for it first. Enter the code they gave you; the document is shown once it is right.

Read it

The document is shown in the page. You can also download it. Below it you can see who else is signing and how far each person has got. The page shows the document's SHA-256 fingerprint, which identifies exactly what you are signing; it is also on the certificate you get afterwards.

Fields on the page

If the sender placed fields, yours are highlighted on the document: a place to sign, and perhaps initials, a date, some text to fill in or a box to tick. Fill them in right on the page. Required ones must be filled in before you can sign, and the page tells you which one is missing. Fields that belong to other people are shown dashed with their name, and show what they filled in once they have. The date is filled in for you when you sign.

Sign it

1. Fill in your highlighted fields on the document, if there are any. Clicking the signature box takes you to the name box.
2. Type your full name exactly as shown above the box.
3. Tick the box to agree that you have read the document and agree to sign it electronically, and that your typed name is your signature.
4. Choose Sign.

If you do not want to sign, choose I do not want to sign, add a reason if you like, and choose Decline. The sender is told and the document cannot be signed by anyone else.

If it is not your turn yet

When people sign in order, the page says it is not your turn. You will get an email when it is.

After signing

When everyone has signed you get an email with a link to read the signed document (with everyone's fields filled in on its pages) and download the certificate of completion. That link works for 90 days, so download what you want to keep. If you were only copied on the document, you get the same email.

The certificate records your name, the time and the internet address and browser you signed from. This is how the firm can show who signed and when.

If the link does not work

• "This link has expired." The time allowed ran out. Ask the sender for a new one.
• "The sender cancelled this document." The sender took it back. Ask them if you should expect a new one.
• "This document changed or is no longer available." The file was changed after it was sent, so it cannot be signed. Ask the sender to send it again.
• You were sent a reminder. The newest link replaces the old one. Use the link in the latest email.