Signers see a short notice about using electronic records and signatures before anything else, then the document with their fields, then a final Finish and sign button. They don’t need a SignWren account and they never pay.
Why is there a consent screen before the document?
Because the federal ESIGN Act sets conditions for giving consumers documents electronically when a law requires those documents to be in writing: the consumer has to agree, after being told certain things first, such as how to get a paper copy and how to withdraw. Our ESIGN Act guide goes through those conditions in plain English.
Not every document you send falls under that rule; an agreement between two businesses usually doesn’t. SignWren shows the notice to every signer anyway, for every document, because a sender can’t always tell in advance which documents need it, and asking costs a signer about thirty seconds.
What does the notice say?
It names your business, says what they’re agreeing to (using electronic records and signatures for this one document), and tells them:
- how to get the document on paper instead, from the paper-copy contact you set, and whether there’s a fee;
- how to withdraw their agreement before they finish, and what happens if they do;
- how to tell you if their email address changes;
- what they need: a current browser, an email account and a way to open PDFs.
They have to open a PDF copy of the notice before the checkbox works. That’s a quick check that PDFs open on their device, since the finished copy will be a PDF. Then they tick the box and continue.
Can a signer say no to signing online?
Yes. “I don’t want to sign electronically” shows your paper-copy contact and tells you they asked for paper. After they’ve agreed, Withdraw consent under Options does the same, without undoing anything they already signed. You’ll see “Asked for paper” next to their name.
They can also Decline to sign, which is different: that’s saying no to the document itself, with a reason that’s sent to you.
What happens when they sign?
They’re taken from one required field to the next. When everything required is done, the statement “By selecting Finish and sign, I agree that my electronic signature and initials on this document are as valid as my handwritten ones.” appears right above the button. Pressing it records their signature. They can download the document at any point, and once everyone has signed they’re emailed the finished copy.
If they leave halfway, what they’ve filled in is saved, and they can pick up from the same link.