---
id: KB-CO-007
url: https://app.codecontract.io/help/consigne/signing-order-who-signs-first
idioma: en
categoria: consigne
subcategoria: enviar
audiencia: usuario
nivel: intermedio
actualizado: 2026-08-13
tambienEn: [es]
relacionados: [KB-CO-001, KB-CO-008]
citadoPor: [KB-CO-008, KB-CO-012]
enLaApp: https://app.codecontract.io/consigne
---

# Who signs first

_When an order helps, when it gets in the way, and what happens if someone drops out._

**Responde a:** set a signing order · everyone signs at once · the second signer receives nothing · sequential signing multiple people

When several people sign there are two ways to do it, and choosing wrong adds days for no gain.

| Mode | When to use it | Cost |
| --- | --- | --- |
| All at once | Nobody depends on anybody: an agreement between equals | None. It is the fastest |
| In order | One must see the previous signature, or an authorised signatory validates last | Each signer waits for the previous one |

> [!IMPORTANT]
> In order, if one person stalls everything stalls. The rest do not even know the document exists, because it never reached them. If there is no real reason for an order, do not set one.

## If someone drops out

A signer can be replaced without redoing the send: the new one takes their position and the circuit continues. What was already signed stays signed.

**Can I mix? Two at once, then a third.**

Yes: signers are grouped by position, and within each position they go in parallel.

**Does the last one see the earlier signatures?**

Yes, and that is usually the reason for an order.

**Can someone be skipped?**

Yes, by removing them from the circuit. Who removed them and when is recorded.

## Ejemplos

**A contract is signed by two partners and then validated by an authorised signatory.**

- Puts both partners in position one, in parallel
- The signatory in position two

→ The partners sign the same day and the signatory closes the next, already seeing both signatures.

**An order is enforced and the first signer is on holiday.**

- Removes the ordering if it is not needed

→ The others sign meanwhile.

**One signature must follow another for good reason.**

- Defines the order only at that point

→ The circuit reflects the real procedure.

**A signer drops out of the circuit.**

- Replaces them and continues from where it was

→ There is no need to start over.

**Everyone signs at once and there is version confusion.**

- Confirms everyone signs the same document

→ There is a single final copy.

**Nobody knows whose turn it is.**

- Checks the status per signer

→ The right person is chased.