Contract execution
Execute business contracts faster with digital signatures while maintaining legal compliance and a complete audit trail. This page covers the end-to-end workflow for sending contracts — from document preparation to post-signature record keeping.
Typical workflow
Step 1: Prepare the document
From a template (recommended for recurring contracts):
- Go to Templates and select your contract template.
- Fill in the variable details specific to this agreement (party names, dates, pricing).
From a PDF upload:
- Go to Agreements > New Agreement.
- Drag and drop your PDF or click to upload.
See Creating Templates for guidance on setting up reusable contract templates.
Step 2: Add recipients and set routing order
Add each signing party as a recipient and configure the order in which they sign.
Sequential routing (approval chain — common for contracts):
| Order | Recipient | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Internal approver | Signer |
| 2 | Legal review | Signer |
| 3 | Client | Signer |
Each recipient receives the signing invitation only after all recipients ahead of them in the order have signed.
Parallel routing (simultaneous signing): Assign two or more recipients the same order number. All receive the invitation at the same time.
Mixed routing: Internal approvals can be sequential while counterparty signers sign in parallel — use different order numbers for the approval chain, then the same order number for parallel signers.
Screenshot: Recipient routing setup showing sequential and parallel ordering options
Step 3: Place tags
Add tags for each signer. Common tag types for contracts:
- Signature and Initials — for required sign-off points
- Date signed — auto-filled on completion
- Text — for names, titles, or other fillable fields
- Checkbox — for agreement to specific terms
Assign each tag to the correct recipient. Recipients see only the tags assigned to them.
Place initials tags next to important clauses (payment terms, liability limits, exclusivity provisions) to confirm each party has reviewed them. Use descriptive tag labels so signers know exactly what they are accepting.
Step 4: Configure and send
Before sending, set:
- Authentication — Email link for routine contracts; access code or SMS for sensitive or high-value agreements. See Authentication for a full comparison.
- Expiration — 7–14 days is typical for business contracts. Set a deadline that gives parties time to review while creating urgency.
- Reminders — Automatic reminders every 3 days help keep contracts moving without manual follow-up.
- Email message — Provide context about what the recipient is signing and who to contact with questions.
Click Send to dispatch the agreement. Recipients in routing position 1 are notified immediately.
Common contract templates
Service agreement
Key tags: service description, term length, payment terms, start date, authorized signatures for both parties.
Sales contract
Key tags: product or service details, pricing, delivery terms, warranty provisions, signatures from both the sales representative and the authorized buyer.
Employment offer
Key tags: position title, start date, compensation, benefits summary, employment terms, candidate acceptance signature, HR countersignature.
Use templates to standardize these documents across your team and reduce preparation time.
Multi-party contracts
For agreements with three or more signers, routing order is the key lever.
| Pattern | How to configure | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Full sequential | Each recipient gets a unique order number | Approval chains where each party depends on prior approvals |
| Full parallel | All recipients share the same order number | Contracts where all parties sign simultaneously |
| Mixed | Approvals sequential, counterparty signatures parallel | Internal approval followed by multi-party execution |
Screenshot: Multi-party routing diagram showing sequential and parallel signer lanes
Tracking contract status
The Agreements dashboard shows the live status of all your contracts.
- Awaiting others — At least one recipient has not yet signed
- Completed — All recipients have signed
- Expired — The signing deadline passed before all parties signed
- Declined — A recipient declined to sign
Use filters to quickly find contracts by status. You receive email notifications when recipients view, sign, complete, or decline.
After signing
Once all parties have signed:
- All signers receive a copy of the completed document by email.
- Download the signed PDF from the agreement detail page.
- Download the completion certificate — the tamper-evident audit record for the agreement.
- Store both in your document storage system or file them in the relevant matter or client record.
Troubleshooting
Signer is not receiving the invitation Check that the email address is correct. Ask the recipient to check their spam folder. Resend from the agreement detail page if needed.
Need to make changes after sending Sent agreements cannot be edited. Void the agreement, correct the document or routing, and resend. See the agreements dashboard for the void option.
Signing order is wrong Void the agreement if unsigned, recreate with the correct routing order, and resend.
A recipient has declined Review the decline reason (recorded in the audit trail), address the concern, and resend once resolved.
Related topics
- Creating Templates — Build reusable contract templates
- Tag Types — All available tag types and their behavior
- Sending Agreements — Full send configuration reference
- Status Tracking — Monitor agreements after sending
- Completion Certificate — Download the audit record
- Authentication — Signer verification options