Downloading completed agreements
Once all required recipients have signed, the agreement status changes to Completed and the signed documents become available for download. This page explains what files are available, how to download them, and how to verify their integrity.
What is available to download
Every completed agreement produces two types of downloadable content:
| File | Description |
|---|---|
| Signed PDF document(s) | The original document with all signatures and tag values flattened into the PDF. Tamper-evident and digitally signed. |
| Audit certificate | A separate PDF containing the complete signing history — who signed, when, from where, and with what method. |
You can download these files individually or as a combined package.
How to download
Download an individual document
- Open the completed agreement from Sign > Agreements.
- Navigate to the Documents tab.
- Click Download next to the document name.
The downloaded file is a flattened PDF with embedded digital signatures.
Download the audit certificate
- Open the completed agreement.
- Click Download Audit Certificate.
The audit certificate is a PDF that contains the complete event history for the agreement, including timestamps, IP addresses, and authentication events for each signing action.
Download the complete package
To download all documents and the audit certificate together:
- Open the completed agreement.
- Click Download Package.
The package is delivered as a ZIP file or combined PDF containing:
- All signed documents (flattened)
- The audit certificate
The combined package is the recommended download for archiving and legal record-keeping. It keeps all related files together and includes the full audit trail.
Automatic email delivery
When an agreement completes, all signers automatically receive a copy of the signed document by email. As the sender, you also receive a copy if your notification settings are configured to do so.
The email includes a download link to the completed documents. Download links expire after a set period — save a local copy promptly if you need long-term access outside of Propper Sign.
Screenshot: Email notification showing completed agreement with download link
File formats
Signed PDF documents
- Format: PDF (flattened — all tag values and signatures are merged into the document layer)
- Digital signature: Embedded, verifiable in Adobe Acrobat and compatible PDF viewers
- Tamper-evident: Any modification to the file after signing will invalidate the digital signature
Audit certificate
- Format: PDF
- Contains: Agreement ID, recipient list, event timeline with timestamps and IP addresses, authentication methods used, and signing method for each recipient
- Admissibility: The audit certificate is designed to support legal and compliance use cases
Verifying digital signatures
Completed documents include embedded digital signatures that can be verified in Adobe Acrobat Reader or any compatible PDF viewer.
To verify in Adobe Acrobat:
- Open the downloaded PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Open the Signature Panel (View > Show/Hide > Navigation Panes > Signatures).
- Check that each signature shows Valid.
| Signature state | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Valid | Document has not been altered since signing |
| Invalid | Document was modified after the signature was applied |
If a signature shows invalid, do not rely on the document. Download a fresh copy directly from Propper Sign.
File naming
Downloaded files follow this naming pattern by default:
Individual document:
[Document Name] - [Date] - Signed.pdf
Audit certificate:
Agreement Completion Audit - [Agreement ID].pdf
Package:
Agreement Package - [Document Name] - [Date].zip
Storage and retention
Downloaded documents are saved to wherever you choose on your local system or storage platform. The originals remain accessible in Propper Sign.
Completed agreements are stored in Sign indefinitely. If your organization uses a document management system, completed agreements can be configured to archive automatically.
Best practices
- Download and save locally. Do not rely solely on Propper Sign as your only copy. Save signed documents to a secure, backed-up location.
- Use the complete package for compliance. The package includes the audit certificate alongside the signed document, which is often required for legal and regulatory purposes.
- Verify signatures after downloading. A quick check in Adobe Acrobat confirms the document has not been altered.
- Archive promptly. Move completed agreements to long-term storage once the signing process is done, especially for high-value contracts.
Troubleshooting
Download fails or times out Check your internet connection. Try a different browser. If the issue persists, contact support with the agreement ID.
Cannot open the PDF Use Adobe Acrobat Reader or a current PDF viewer. Older or non-standard viewers may not render flattened PDFs correctly.
Signature shows as invalid Ensure the PDF was not modified or re-saved after downloading. Download a fresh copy directly from Propper Sign. If the signature shows invalid on an unmodified download, contact support.
Documents are not available yet Confirm the agreement status is Completed. Documents are only available after all required recipients have signed. If the status shows Completed but documents are missing, wait a moment and refresh — processing can take up to one minute after the final signature is submitted.