Last updated on
May 25, 2026
Quickly edit documents online, add signatures, and send for signing — all from one easy-to-use solution you can access from anywhere.
Get PDF Documents Signed
Request e-signatures on PDF documents easily with pdfFiller.
What is the E-Signature Request Workflow?
The e-signature request workflow allows you to get PDF documents signed efficiently. This feature is designed for small and medium businesses that need a straightforward way to manage document signing. You can send documents to multiple recipients without requiring them to have a pdfFiller account. Each signature collected is legally binding, making this workflow ideal for contracts and agreements. By simplifying the document signing process, businesses can save time and reduce the hassle of printing and scanning.
How to Upload Documents for Signing
To get PDF documents signed, you can upload them in several ways. You can upload files directly from your computer or cloud storage services. Supported formats include PDF, DOCX, and more, ensuring flexibility in document types. The drag-and-drop functionality makes it easy to add files, and mobile uploads are also supported, allowing you to work from anywhere.
Assigning Signature and Form Fields
To add signature fields to your document, switch to Add Fields mode in the editor. You can drag and drop fields onto the document, making it intuitive to customize your layout. Assign fields to specific recipients to ensure that each person knows where to sign. Additionally, you can customize field types, including text fields, checkboxes, and signature fields, to meet your document's needs.
Adding and Managing Recipients
To manage signers and viewers for your document, add recipients by entering their email addresses. You can assign roles, such as Signer or Viewer, to clarify responsibilities. Setting the signing order can be done in either sequential or parallel formats, depending on your workflow needs. Before sending, you can edit recipient details to ensure accuracy and clarity.
Configuring Signing Order
Understanding the differences between sequential and parallel signing is crucial for effective document management. Sequential signing means that one signer must complete their part before the next can begin, which can be useful for documents that require a specific order. In contrast, parallel signing allows multiple signers to sign at the same time, which can speed up the process. Knowing when to use each method can impact your document processing time significantly.
Step-by-Step Instructions for E-Signature Requests
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1.Open the document you wish to send for signatures.
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2.Add the necessary fields for signatures and other information.
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3.Add recipients by entering their email addresses and configuring their roles.
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4.Review the document and settings to ensure everything is correct.
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5.Send the request for signatures to the recipients.
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6.Track the signing progress through your pdfFiller account.
Tracking Signing Progress
Monitoring the status of your e-signature requests is easy with pdfFiller. You can view who has signed the document and who is still pending. If necessary, you have options to resend or cancel requests. Notifications will alert you when signatures are completed, and an audit trail is available for your records, ensuring transparency throughout the signing process.
Setting Reminders and Expiration Deadlines
To keep your signing process on track, you can set automated reminder emails for recipients. Additionally, defining expiration dates for signing ensures that documents remain valid and timely. Customization options for reminders allow you to tailor the messages to fit your needs, helping to ensure that all parties are informed and engaged.
Understanding the Audit Trail
The audit trail captures essential details about the signing process, including timestamps and signer identities. This information is vital for legal enforceability, providing a clear record of who signed and when. You can access the audit trail in pdfFiller, ensuring compliance with e-signature laws and regulations.
Legal Validity of E-Signatures
pdfFiller's e-signatures comply with legal standards, including the ESIGN and UETA acts. This compliance ensures that e-signatures hold legal standing, making them suitable for various legal documents. Secure signing practices further enhance the validity of your agreements, giving you peace of mind when managing important contracts.
Real-World Scenarios for E-Signatures
E-signature requests are applicable in numerous real-world scenarios. For instance, sending service contracts for approval can be done swiftly, allowing for quick turnaround times. Routing employment agreements for signatures ensures that new hires can start promptly. Collecting NDAs from multiple parties is also simplified, making it easier to protect sensitive information across various industries.
Free vs. Paid Access to E-Signature Features
Understanding the differences in e-signature capabilities between plans is essential. Free plans offer basic features, but they may have limitations in terms of document types and the number of signatures allowed. Upgrading to paid plans provides additional benefits, such as enhanced features and greater flexibility, making it a cost-effective solution for small businesses.
Browser and Device Compatibility
pdfFiller supports a wide range of browsers for both senders and recipients, ensuring accessibility for all users. Mobile device compatibility allows you to manage documents on the go. For optimal performance, recommended settings can help enhance your experience across different platforms.
Security and Data Handling in E-Signatures
Security is a top priority in the e-signature process. pdfFiller ensures encrypted delivery of documents, protecting sensitive information. A secure signing link is provided for recipients, and compliance with data protection regulations is maintained. Understanding these security measures is crucial for safeguarding your documents during the signing process.
How Does pdfFiller Compare?
When comparing pdfFiller with other e-signature tools like DocuSign, Adobe Acrobat Sign, and PandaDoc, pdfFiller stands out due to its user-friendly interface and affordability. While DocuSign offers extensive features, pdfFiller provides a more straightforward approach for small businesses. Adobe Acrobat Sign is known for its integration capabilities, but pdfFiller simplifies the signing process without requiring complex setups. PandaDoc offers similar features but may lack the same level of template variety that pdfFiller provides.
Next Steps for Using E-Signatures
To integrate e-signatures into your workflow, connect them with document editing features in pdfFiller. Tracking completion is essential to ensure that all parties fulfill their signing responsibilities. Explore the variety of templates available to streamline your document creation process. Additionally, take advantage of the support resources provided to maximize your use of e-signatures.
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Collect legally binding electronic signatures the easy way
Edit, sign, send — done!
Customize your workflow
Send documents to a single recipient or an entire group. Assign roles, set a signing order, and schedule reminders for a smooth, error-free process.
Collect data efficiently
Create fillable PDF forms and let your recipients complete them from any device. Publish forms online or share them via a direct link to capture data and signatures without chasing people down.
Track and store documents
Get real-time visibility into the signing process and keep track of all your documents in one place. Your files are stored in secure cloud storage, so you can access them anytime and anywhere.
Share & collaborate
Need more eyes on a document before sending? Share it with the team to edit or highlight content, redact sensitive information, leave feedback, and exchange comments.
Maintain security & compliance
Collect signatures in compliance with ESIGN, UETA, eIDAS, and GDPR. Protect your documents with a password, request additional signer authentication, set document expiration dates, and more.
How to send a document for signature?
Upload
Upload your document to pdfFiller and click E-sign.
Add recipients
Choose who needs to sign and add as many recipients as you need.
Prepare
Drag and drop fillable fields on your document and assign them to specific recipients.
Finalize & send
Review your recipients, customize the signing order, set reminders, and hit Send.
Who needs this?
Explore how professionals use pdfFiller to get documents signed.
Sales
Quickly edit contracts, add eSignatures, and send them to clients or vendors for signing without leaving pdfFiller. Track who has signed and who still needs to take action, keeping your business running smoothly.
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Service agreements
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Vendor contracts
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Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)
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Purchase orders
Human Resources
Create fillable PDF forms for offer letters, employment contracts, and onboarding documents. Let new hires complete and sign them from any device, making the onboarding process accessible and hassle-free for everyone.
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Offer letters
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Employment contracts
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Non-compete agreements
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Benefits enrollment forms
Legal
Share legal documents with your team for review or editing before sending them for signing. Speed up agreement negotiations by allowing all parties to share feedback and make quick edits without endless email chains.
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Contracts and agreements
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Power of attorney forms
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Affidavits
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Settlement agreements
Real Estate
Edit property agreements, add signature fields, and send them to buyers, sellers, or agents for signing. Send documents to a single recipient or an entire group, and track the signing process in real time to ensure timely closings.
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Purchase agreements
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Lease contracts
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Property disclosure forms
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Inspection reports
Education
Create fillable forms for permission slips, enrollment documents, or policy acknowledgments. Allow parents, students, or staff to complete and sign them from any device. Keep track of all signed documents in one secure place for easy access and compliance.
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Permission slips
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Enrollment forms
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Scholarship applications
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Teacher contracts
Finance
Edit financial agreements, add eSignatures, and send them to clients or stakeholders for signing. Allow clients to complete and sign online digital forms from anywhere to simplify loan applications, account openings, and authorizations.
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Loan agreements
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Investment contracts
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Financial statements
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Payment authorizations
Why sign documents with pdfFiller?
Ease of use
Users appreciate pdfFiller's intuitive interface and the ability to manage documents from anywhere without clunky desktop software.
More than eSignature
pdfFiller is a complete solution that offers PDF editing, eSignature, file storage, and collaboration under one roof.
For individuals and teams
Whether you work solo or with a team, pdfFiller equips you with all the tools to handle your daily document tasks.
pdfFiller scores top ratings on review platforms
I love the ease and speed I can convert docs to fillable pdf files. I am not so happy with repeatedly being asked to rate the features, take a survey and attend a webinar.
This program is excellent, there is a form for just about anything you need! The features included are awesome how you fan sign, fax, email, etc. I love how you are notified when your document is viewed, and how records are kept! I don't know how I ever lived without it! just wished i knew how to use it better...
I need to be able to return to a document after it has gone to a client to be edited in a different color so it can be resubmitted with original and edited marks
I am happy with PDFfiller for the most part. It is a very good editor that makes a normal document look sophisticated. My only complaint is the price. 15$ a month for this? I mean it is a good editor, but 175$ a year is to much for me. Overall, it is a great app for editing with a great package of fun.
This was a great tool to use as I have suffered a horrible arm injury which made it very difficult to hand write. Your program was a life savior as I had numerous pages of medical documents to file.
I love this app
I love this app! It works very well and they've made some improvements since I first started using it. Makes filling out PDFs so much easier!
Watch pdfFiller eSignatures in action
Check out a quick video tutorial that shows how to create and place your signature or send a document for signing.
What businesses achieve with pdfFiller
Discover how you can benefit too.
What are the most secure methods to get PDF documents signed online?
To get PDF documents signed securely, utilize platforms like pdfFiller that offer advanced encryption and authentication features. These methods ensure that your documents are protected during the signing process. Look for services that provide two-factor authentication and audit trails, which track who signed the document and when. Additionally, ensure that the platform complies with industry standards such as GDPR and eIDAS for electronic signatures. For enhanced security, always verify the identity of the signer before sending documents for signature.
How can I automate the process of getting PDF documents signed?
You can automate the process of getting PDF documents signed by using document automation tools like pdfFiller. These tools allow you to create templates for frequently used documents and set up workflows that automatically send them for signature. By integrating with your existing software, such as CRM or project management tools, you can streamline the signing process and reduce manual effort. Consider using features like bulk sending for multiple documents, which can save time and improve efficiency in document management.
What should I do if a signer is having trouble signing a PDF document?
If a signer is having trouble signing a PDF document, first ensure they are using a compatible device and browser. Encourage them to check their internet connection and try clearing their cache. If issues persist, provide them with step-by-step instructions on how to use the signing feature on pdfFiller. Additionally, consider offering alternative signing options, such as downloading the document for offline signing or using a mobile app. Being proactive in addressing these issues can enhance user experience and ensure timely document completion.
Can I track the status of my PDF documents after sending them for signature?
Yes, you can track the status of your PDF documents after sending them for signature using pdfFiller's tracking features. The platform provides real-time updates on whether the document has been viewed, signed, or is still pending. This visibility allows you to follow up with signers as needed and ensures that you stay informed about the document's progress. Utilize these tracking capabilities to manage deadlines effectively and enhance communication with your team or clients.
What are the legal implications of using electronic signatures on PDF documents?
Using electronic signatures on PDF documents is legally binding in many jurisdictions, provided that the signing process complies with regulations like the ESIGN Act in the U.S. and eIDAS in Europe. To ensure legal validity, use a reputable platform like pdfFiller that adheres to these laws and provides features such as consent capture and secure storage. Always inform signers about the implications of signing electronically and retain copies of signed documents for your records to protect against potential disputes.
How can I ensure my PDF documents remain editable after getting them signed?
To ensure your PDF documents remain editable after getting them signed, use pdfFiller's features that allow you to create fillable fields before sending them for signature. This way, you can collect necessary information while keeping the document editable. After the signing process, you can revert to editing mode to make any changes needed. Additionally, consider saving a copy of the original document before signing, so you can always return to the editable version if necessary.
What are the benefits of using pdfFiller for getting PDF documents signed compared to traditional methods?
Using pdfFiller for getting PDF documents signed offers numerous benefits over traditional methods, such as enhanced speed, convenience, and security. Unlike mailing physical documents, pdfFiller allows you to send and receive signed documents instantly from anywhere, streamlining the workflow. The platform's cloud-based nature ensures that documents are accessible from any device, promoting cross-platform compatibility. Moreover, pdfFiller's built-in security protocols protect sensitive information, making it a superior choice for remote professionals and legal teams.
