Consigne
How to send a document for signature
Upload the document, say who signs and at what level, and get the signed PDF with its evidence.
Consigne is for getting someone to sign a document in a way that holds up afterwards. It is not "send a PDF and get it back scanned": what comes out at the end is a document with the signature embedded, the date certified and a record of who signed, when and from where.
How to send one, step by step
- 1
Go to Consigne and click "New signature request"
You can also start from a folder if you already know where you want it filed.
- 2
Upload the document
Usually a PDF. Other formats are converted to PDF so they can be signed.
- 3
Add the signers
Name, email and phone for each. The phone is needed if you are going to require advanced signature.
- 4
Place where each one signs
Drag the signature box onto the PDF, on whichever page and spot you want. Each signer gets their own.
- 5
Choose the level and the order
Simple or advanced signature per person, and if there are several, whether they sign in sequence or at once.
- 6
Set the optional bits and confirm
Deadline, automatic reminders, a personal message per signer, and who gets a copy of the closed document.
Watch out
Check the document before sending. Once it is out, a mistake means cancelling the request and starting again: the file cannot be swapped underneath, because then the signature would prove nothing.
When several people sign: in order or at once
Pick order when it matters who signs first — the employee before management, the tenant before the landlord — and all-at-once when it does not and you just want it finished.
Tracking the status
While the request is open you can see where each person is: whether it was sent, whether they opened the link, whether they signed or rejected it. From there you can send a manual reminder without waiting for the automatic one.
| Status | What it means | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Sent | The notice went out and nobody has opened it yet | Wait or remind |
| Opened | Someone opened the link but has not signed | Remind; usually means doubts |
| Partially signed | Some have signed, others have not | Remind only those left |
| Completed | Everyone has signed | Download the PDF and its evidence |
| Rejected | A signer refused, with their reason | Fix it and send again |
| Cancelled | You stopped it | Create a new one |
| Expired | The deadline passed | Send again with a new date |
Frequently asked questions
›Does the signer have to create an account?
No. They get a link and sign from a phone or computer without registering anywhere.
›Can I also ask them to fill something in?
Yes. You can add fillable fields on the document — a date, a bank account, a consent checkbox — and the signer completes them before signing.
›Can I send several documents in one request?
Yes, several documents can go in the same signature request so the person signs them in one go.
›What happens if someone refuses to sign?
The request is marked rejected, with whatever reason they gave, and nobody else signs. You fix what needs fixing and send a new one.
›Can I cancel a signature already sent?
Yes, as long as it is not completed. The links stop working and the record shows that you cancelled it and when.
A real case
The situation
HR is onboarding someone on Monday and needs the contract signed before they start.
What you do
- Uploads the contract and adds two signers: the new hire and management
- Sets advanced signature for the new hire and sequential signing
- Turns on an automatic reminder after 24 hours
What you get
On Monday there is a PDF signed by both parties, timestamped and with proof of who signed and from where.
The situation
Documents are emailed for signature and nobody knows who has signed.
What you do
- Sends the document and checks each signer's status
What you get
Follow-up stops being a chain of emails.
The situation
Four people from two companies must sign.
What you do
- Adds all four signers to the same send
What you get
Everyone signs the same document and one final copy remains.
The situation
The signer has no certificate and will not install anything.
What you do
- Picks the level that does not require one
What you get
It is signed the same day from the browser.
The situation
It is signed on paper and then scanned.
What you do
- Sends the PDF for signature directly
What you get
The print, sign and scan round trip disappears.
The situation
The signed document is needed to attach to a file.
What you do
- Saves the result in the relevant file
What you get
The signature ends up where it will be looked for.
This article answers
- how do I send a document for signature
- electronic signature for contracts
- send a contract to several signers
- does the signer need an account
- what is Consigne