Documents and e-signature · 4 guides
Send a document for signature
Send a document to up to 10 people to sign electronically, follow each signer, and get a signed copy and certificate saved on the document.
Before you start
The document must already be uploaded in Chronica. See Upload and organise documents, or create it from a template.
A document can have only one signature request in progress at a time, and you can't send it while someone has it open in the online editor.
Send the request
- Select the document on the matter's Documents tab or in the firm library, or open the document itself.
- Click Request signatures.
- Under Signers, enter each person's Full name and Email address. Click Add signer for more people, up to 10. Each signer needs a different email address.
- To have people sign one after another, tick Sign in this order and use the arrows to set the order. Otherwise everyone gets their link at the same time.
- Add a Message to signers (optional).
- Choose when the request Expires after: 7, 14, 30 or 60 days.
- Click Send for signature.
The current version is frozen when you send. Nobody can upload a new version or edit it until signing ends or you cancel. The document's status changes to Awaiting signature, and it shows on the Awaiting signature tab of the Documents page.
What signers receive
Each signer gets an email titled "Please sign:" and the document name, with a personal link. If you chose an order, only the first signer is emailed at first. Each next signer gets an email saying it's their turn once the person before them has signed.
The link opens a page where they read the document and sign by typing their name or drawing their signature with a finger, stylus or mouse. They don't need an account. They can also choose Decline to sign and give a reason.
If a signer uses your client portal with the same email address, the request also shows there under Waiting for your signature.
Follow progress
Open the document and go to its Signatures tab. Each signer shows as Sent, Viewed, Signed or Declined. From there you can:
- Copy link to send a signer their link yourself, for example on WhatsApp.
- Resend link to email it again.
- Cancel request to stop it.
The signing links stop working and the document goes back to draft so it can be edited again. Signatures already given are kept on record.
When everyone has signed
- The signed copy becomes the document's current version, and its status changes to Signed.
- A certificate of completion is saved with the document. It records who signed, when, from which device, and the document fingerprint.
- Every signer gets an email with a link to download the signed copy.
If a signer declines, the request shows as Declined and whoever sent it gets a notification in Chronica.
Questions
What if the request expires?
The links stop working and the request shows as Expired. Send a new request if you still need signatures.
Who can send documents for signature?
Anyone in your firm who can open the document.