Want to send a contract to your client and your boss at the same time? Need three people to sign off on an NDA before you move forward? If you're using Signrequest for e-signatures, you can set up a document so multiple people sign in a specific order—or all at once. It's not hard, but there are a few snags to watch for. This guide will walk you through it, minus the fluff, with real tips so you don't lose time.
Why Bother With Multiple Signers?
If you only ever send paperwork to one person, you can skip this. But most real-world agreements need at least two people on the dotted line. Maybe more. Adding multiple signers in a single workflow:
- Cuts down on email ping-pong and confusion
- Keeps everyone in the loop with status updates
- Gives you an audit trail that doesn't look like a mess
You could send separate requests, but then you’re managing a circus. Here’s how to keep it simple.
Step 1: Get Your Document Ready
Before you log in to Signrequest, make sure your document is final. You can't edit a PDF or Word doc within Signrequest, so double-check:
- Names spelled right
- Signature and date fields in the right places (you’ll drag these in later, but know where they go)
- Everyone who needs to sign is listed
Pro tip: If you’re combining multiple documents, merge them into a single PDF first. Signrequest won’t assemble them for you.
Step 2: Log In and Start a New Signrequest
Sign in to your account. If you’re new, the free plan covers basic needs, but you’ll hit limits fast if you send a lot of documents or want extra features (like templates).
- Click "New Signrequest" or "Create Signrequest" (the button might say either, depending on the view)
- Upload your document (PDF or Word both work, but PDF is safer for formatting)
Heads up: Formatting sometimes gets weird with Word docs. If layout matters, always use PDF.
Step 3: Add Multiple Signers
This is where most people mess up, so pay attention. On the request page, you’ll see a section for "Signers". Here’s what to do:
- Add the first signer’s email address.
- Click "Add signer" (usually a little plus icon or link) to add more email fields.
- Fill in each signer’s name and email. You can add as many as your plan allows (usually up to 20).
- Optional: If you want a specific signing order (Signer 1, then Signer 2, etc.), check the “sign in order” box and drag signers into the right order.
What works:
- You can assign different roles (signer, viewer, approver) if you’re on a paid plan.
- You can set up “me first” if you need to sign before everyone else.
What doesn’t:
- CCs don’t count as signers. They’ll only get a copy, not a signature spot.
- Free plan users: you might hit a cap on how many signers you can add at once.
Step 4: Place Signature Fields for Each Signer
Now you tell Signrequest who signs where:
- Click "Next" to open the document editor.
- On the left, you’ll see a list of your signers. Each one gets a color.
- Drag and drop a signature field onto the document for each signer—make sure you pick the right color/signer for each field.
- Repeat for other fields (date, initials, text fields, checkboxes) as needed.
Easy to miss:
If you forget to assign a field to a signer, someone might get an email with no action to take—or worse, you might have two people signing in the same spot. Double-check colors and names before sending.
Step 5: Add a Message and Customize Options
You can include a quick message. Short and clear works best (“Please sign by Friday. Let me know if you have questions.”). You can also:
- Set a signing deadline
- Require an attachment (like an ID photo) per signer
- Enable reminders if someone drags their feet
Most of the time, you can leave advanced settings alone. Don’t overthink it—just make sure everyone knows what’s expected.
Step 6: Send and Monitor Progress
Click "Send". Each signer gets an email with a secure link. If you set up signing order, only the first person can sign at first; the rest are notified in turn. If you didn't set a signing order, everyone can sign as soon as they want.
You’ll see the status in your Signrequest dashboard:
- Waiting for signature: Not everyone’s done
- Completed: All signatures collected
- Declined: Someone refused (rare, but it happens—reach out directly if so)
You’ll get notified as each signature comes in. The final signed document goes out to all signers (and any CC’d people) automatically.
Troubleshooting: Common Headaches
Honestly, Signrequest is straightforward, but a few things trip people up:
- Signer didn’t get the email? Check their spam folder. If it’s not there, you can resend from the dashboard.
- Wrong email address? You’ll have to cancel the request and start over. There’s no edit after sending.
- Someone needs to sign twice? You can't add the same email as two separate signers. If someone needs two signatures (like as an individual and on behalf of a company), use a different email for each, or combine the signature spots into one.
- Out-of-order signatures? Double-check the “sign in order” setting. If it’s off, anyone can sign at any time.
- Fields missing? If a signer reports there’s nothing to click, you probably didn’t assign them a field. You’ll need to resend.
Pro Tips for Smoother Multi-Signer Workflows
- Templates save time. If you send similar documents often, set up a template with fields already in place.
- Short deadlines mean faster signatures. People ignore open-ended requests.
- Keep signers to a minimum. More people = more chances for delays.
- Test with yourself. If you’re new, send a test to two of your own emails—see what the experience feels like before sending real contracts.
What to Ignore
- Over-customizing notifications: Most signers just want the document and instructions.
- Third-party integrations (unless you need them): Zapier, Slack, Salesforce—use them only if you’re automating at scale. For most, it’s overkill.
- Fancy branding: Nice, but doesn’t speed up signatures.
Keep It Simple, Iterate as Needed
You don’t need to reinvent your workflow every time. Start with the basics: upload, add signers, assign fields, send. If you run into snags, tweak one step at a time. Most mistakes are easy to fix if you catch them early. Remember, the goal is to get documents signed without headaches or endless email threads. That’s it.