---
title: "Signing a Document"
space: "Frappe Sign Documentation"
url: "http://www.buff0k.co.za/frappe-sign-docs/signing-a-document"
updated: "2026-11-01"
---

This page is for **signers**: anyone who has been asked to sign a document with Frappe Sign. You can sign from the link in your email, or, if you have a Frappe user account, from the **Sign Document** page in Desk.

## Signing from your email link

You receive an email with the document title and a button or link to open it. The link is unique to you: **do not forward it**. Anyone holding the link can act as you on that document.

Internal signers may be asked to log in first (if **Require Login For Internal Signers** is on). External signers go straight to the document.

Once the page has opened, the address bar shows `/sign/redacted` instead of your link. This keeps your link out of browser history and page analytics. It also means that **refreshing the page, or copying the address, won't work**: always reopen the document from the link in your email.

![An internal signer giving consent, drawing a signature and initials, and completing the document](/files/docs-fsign-signing-portal.webm)

### 1. Give consent (first time only)

If your organisation requires it, you are asked to consent to using your saved signature and initials for electronic signing. Click **I Consent** to continue.

![The Consent Required prompt](/files/docs-fsign-portal-consent.png)

### 2. Set up your signature (first time only)

If you don't have a saved signature yet, a **Set Up Signature** dialog opens. Choose:

- **Draw**: sign with your mouse, finger or stylus. **Clear** starts again.
- **Upload PNG**: upload an image of your signature.
- **Type**: type your name.

Click **Save**. If your document also has **Initials** fields, the same dialog asks for your initials next. Both are saved to your **[Signer Profile](/frappe-sign-docs/signer-profiles)** for next time.

![Drawing a signature in the Set Up Signature dialog](/files/docs-fsign-portal-draw-signature.png)

### 3. Review and complete your fields

Read the **Electronic Signature Notice** and the whole document. Your fields are highlighted. Use the toolbar:

- **Go To Next Field** jumps to your next unfilled field.
- **Sign All** applies your saved signature and initials to all of your Signature and Initials fields. Date, Name and Email fields fill in automatically.
- Fill in any **Text** fields and tick any **Checkbox** fields yourself.

![Fields completed and ready for Complete Signing](/files/docs-fsign-portal-signature-applied.png)

### 4. Complete signing

Click **Complete Signing**. If a required field is still empty, you are told so and taken to it. Otherwise you see **"Thank you. The document has been signed."** and the buttons are disabled.

![Signing completed](/files/docs-fsign-portal-signed.png)

## External signers

An external signer follows exactly the same steps, without logging in. The video below shows an external signer typing a signature and ticking a checkbox field:

![An external signer typing a signature, ticking a checkbox and completing the document](/files/docs-fsign-external-signer.webm)

## Signing from Desk: the Sign Document page

Signers with a Frappe user account can open **Sign Document** from the Frappe Sign sidebar (or click the Frappe Sign tile on the apps screen). It lists every outstanding request assigned to your profile, marked **Ready** or **Waiting** (waiting for an earlier signer in a sequential request).

![The Sign Document page listing an outstanding request](/files/docs-fsign-desk-sign-document-list.png)

Pick a request in **Signing Request** to open it right there, then sign exactly as described above.

![Signing a Site Transfer Form from the Sign Document page in Desk](/files/docs-fsign-desk-sign-document.webm)

![Signing inside Desk](/files/docs-fsign-desk-signature-applied.png)

## Declining

If you do not agree to sign electronically, or believe an Advanced Electronic Signature is required, click **Decline**. You are asked for a reason. Declining:

- marks you as **Declined** and the request as **Declined** (a terminal state; nobody else can sign it);
- records your reason on the request and in its audit trail;
- emails the other signers that you declined.

## Adding a remark instead of signing

If something in the document needs to be raised before you sign, use **Add Remark**. See **[Remarks & Re-signing](/frappe-sign-docs/remarks-and-re-signing)**.

## If your link doesn't work

- **"This signing request is waiting for an earlier signer."** It is not your turn yet in a sequential request. You will get an email when it is.
- **"Invalid signing link"** means the request has been completed, declined or cancelled, or you have already signed. You also see it if you refresh the signing page: open the link from your email again.
- **"This signing request is currently marked as Expired."** The request passed its expiry date. Ask the sender for a new request.
- Asked to **re-sign** after a remark? Your original link (or the one in the *Please re-sign* email) works again. See **[Remarks & Re-signing](/frappe-sign-docs/remarks-and-re-signing)**.

Contact the person who sent you the document if you need a new link.