About signing

Signing sends a document to one or more people, who sign it in their browser. When everyone has signed, each of them and you get the signed PDF by email.

The people signing don't need an Automette account. Each one gets an email with a private link. The link works only for them, until the request expires (30 days unless you set otherwise).

What the person signing does

1. Opens the link from the email and reads the document.
2. Ticks I agree to sign this document electronically, then clicks Start signing.
3. Fills in their fields. Next field takes them to the next one still empty. A signature can be drawn or typed.
4. Clicks Finish.

They can also click Decline to sign and give a reason. You are told by email.

The signed PDF

The signed PDF is the original document with every signature and value drawn onto it, plus a certificate of completion on its last page. To keep the signed PDF the same length as the original, untick Add the certificate of completion as the last page before sending. The certificate is always available on its own from the request's page, under Certificate. The certificate lists:

• the document's name and the request ID
• when it was sent and when it was completed
• for each person: name, email address, and when they were emailed, opened it, agreed to sign electronically, and signed, with their IP address and device
• the document's fingerprint (SHA-256) as it was sent, which identifies that exact file
• on the certificate downloaded on its own, the fingerprint of the signed PDF it belongs to

The signed PDF and the certificate each carry Automette's digital seal. If the file is changed in any way after signing, a PDF reader such as Adobe Acrobat shows the seal as broken.

Is it legally valid?

Automette signatures are simple electronic signatures. In the United States they are covered by the ESIGN Act and the UETA, and in the European Union they are simple electronic signatures under eIDAS. Each record shows that the person intended to sign, agreed to sign electronically, signed this exact document, and that a copy was kept.

A few documents can't be signed this way in many places, for example wills and some court or family-law documents. If you are unsure about a particular document, ask a lawyer where you are.

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