How to Send a Contract for Signature: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

You've drafted the perfect contract. The terms are agreed upon. Now you just need to send the contract for signature and make it official. Sounds simple enough, right?

It should be. But if you've ever tried printing a PDF, scanning it, emailing it back and forth, or chasing someone for days to get a signature... you know it's rarely that easy.

The good news: sending a document for signing in 2026 takes about two minutes with the right tool. No printers, no scanners, no awkward "just checking in" follow-up emails. In this guide, I'll walk you through the entire contract signing process from start to finish, including the best tools, common mistakes, and a step-by-step walkthrough you can follow today.

Why You Should Send Contracts for Signature Online

Before we get into the how, let's talk about the why. If you're still sending contracts via email attachments and waiting for someone to print, sign, scan, and email them back, here's what that actually looks like:

• Average turnaround time: 5-7 business days (often longer)
• Lost documents: About 7.5% of paper documents get lost (source: PwC)
• No tracking: You have no idea if they've even opened your email
• Legal gray area: A photo of a signed document isn't always legally binding

Compare that to sending a contract for signature online:

• Average turnaround time: Under 24 hours (often minutes)
• Automatic tracking: You see when they open, view, and sign
• Legally binding: Electronic signatures are valid under the ESIGN Act (US), eIDAS Regulation (EU), and similar laws in 60+ countries
• Automatic storage: Signed copies are saved and accessible to both parties

If you're a freelancer, small business owner, or anyone who sends more than a couple of contracts per month, switching to e-signatures is one of those changes that saves you time from day one. For a deeper look at legality, check out our electronic signature legal guide.

What You Need Before Sending a Contract for Signature

Let's make sure you have everything ready before you hit "send." Here's your quick checklist:

1. A Finalized Contract

This sounds obvious, but don't send a contract for signature if terms are still being negotiated. E-signature platforms create an audit trail the moment you send the document. Sending multiple versions looks unprofessional and can create legal confusion.

Accepted formats: Most platforms accept PDF, Word (.docx), or both. PDF is preferred since it preserves formatting across devices.

2. The Signer's Email Address

You'll need a valid email for each person who needs to sign. This is how they'll receive the signing request and access the document.

3. An E-Signature Tool

You need a platform to manage the sending, signing, and storage. Here are the main options in 2026:

If you send fewer than 15 contracts per month, CanUSign's pay-per-use model (€1 per signed contract) is hard to beat. For heavier use, the €15/month unlimited plan covers everything. We've written more detailed comparisons if you're evaluating options: DocuSign alternatives, Dropbox Sign alternative, and PandaDoc alternative.

4. Signature Placement Markers (Optional)

Some tools let you pre-place signature fields, date fields, and initials boxes on the document. This speeds things up for the signer. Not all tools require this step, though. CanUSign, for example, lets signers place their signature wherever the contract indicates.

How to Send a Contract for Signature: Step-by-Step

Here's the process broken down into clear steps. I'll use CanUSign as the example since it's the simplest flow, but the general process is similar across platforms.

Step 1: Upload Your Contract

Go to canusign.com/create and upload your contract. You can use a PDF or Word document. If you don't have a contract yet, we have free templates for common agreements:

• Freelancer contract template
• NDA template
• Consulting agreement template
• Service agreement template
• Independent contractor agreement

Pro tip: Always upload the final version. Once you send a contract for signature, making changes means starting over with a new document.

Step 2: Add the Signers

Enter the email addresses of everyone who needs to sign. Most contracts have two parties, but you can add more if needed (for example, a three-way partnership agreement).

For each signer, you'll typically specify:

• Name (appears in the signature notification)
• Email address (where they'll receive the signing request)
• Signing order (optional - useful when one party needs to sign before the other)

Step 3: Add Signature Fields

Place the signature fields where you want people to sign. Depending on the tool, you can also add:

• Date fields (auto-filled when they sign)
• Initials fields (for multi-page documents)
• Text fields (for custom information like addresses or titles)
• Checkboxes (for terms acceptance)

With CanUSign, this step is optional. If you skip it, signers can place their signature anywhere on the document, which works perfectly for straightforward contracts.

Step 4: Add a Personal Message (Optional but Recommended)

Most platforms let you include a message with the signing request. Don't skip this. A quick note like:

"Hi Sarah, here's the consulting agreement we discussed. Please sign at your earliest convenience. Let me know if you have any questions!"

This personal touch increases signing speed. Nobody wants to sign a document that arrived with zero context.

Step 5: Review and Send

Before you hit send:

• Double-check the signers' email addresses (typos happen)
• Preview the document to make sure it looks right
• Verify signature field placement if you added any
• Check that any signing order is correct

Click send. The signer receives an email with a link to review and sign the document. They don't need to create an account or install anything.

Step 6: Track and Follow Up

After you send a document for signing, your dashboard will show the status:

• Sent - The email was delivered
• Viewed - The signer opened the document
• Signed - Done! Both parties get a copy

If the document has been "Viewed" but not signed for a few days, most platforms let you send a reminder with one click. CanUSign sends automatic reminders, so you don't have to babysit the process.

Step 7: Download the Signed Contract

Once everyone has signed, you'll get a notification. The signed document includes:

• All signatures
• A completion certificate with timestamps
• An audit trail showing when each person viewed and signed

Download this for your records. Most platforms also store signed documents in your account indefinitely.

Requesting Signatures from Multiple People

When you need multiple people to sign the same contract, there are two approaches:

Parallel Signing

All signers receive the document at the same time and can sign in any order. Best for:

• Co-founders signing a partnership agreement
• Multiple team members acknowledging a policy
• Lease agreements with multiple tenants

Sequential Signing

Signers receive the document one at a time, in a specific order. The next person only gets it after the previous one signs. Best for:

• Contracts that need manager approval before the client sees them
• Multi-step approval processes
• Any situation where one signature depends on another

Most e-signature tools, including CanUSign, support both options. Just set the signing order when you add signers.

Common Mistakes When Sending Contracts for Signature

I've seen these trip people up more times than I can count:

1. Sending a Draft Instead of the Final Version

Always confirm that all terms are agreed upon before you send the contract for signature. Sending a "just sign this" email with a document that still has tracked changes or comments is a bad look.

2. Not Including All Required Signers

Forgot to add a witness? Missed a co-signer? You'll have to void the document and start over. Make a list of everyone who needs to sign before you begin.

3. Using a Personal Email for Business Contracts

If you're sending a contract on behalf of your company, use your business email. Signing requests from "cooldude87@gmail.com" don't inspire confidence.

4. Not Setting a Deadline

Without a deadline, contracts sit in inboxes indefinitely. Set an expiration date (7-14 days is standard) and mention it in your personal message.

5. Forgetting to Save the Signed Copy

Your e-signature platform stores the document, but always download a backup. Cloud services can change terms, shut down, or have outages. Keep a local copy of every signed contract.

How to Send a Contract for Signature Without an Account (Free Options)

If you only need to send one contract and don't want to commit to a platform, here are your options:

1. CanUSign pay-per-use: No subscription needed. Just upload, send, and pay €1 when the contract gets signed. Try it here.

2. DocuSign free trial: You get 3 free signature requests. After that, you need a paid plan.

3. Adobe Fill & Sign: Free for basic signatures, but limited features and no audit trail.

4. Print, sign, scan: Still legal, but slow and error-prone. Not recommended in 2026.

For most people, the pay-per-use option is the smartest move. You only pay when a contract actually gets signed, there's no monthly fee eating into your budget, and you get the same legal validity and audit trail as the expensive platforms.

Is an E-Signed Contract Legally Binding?

Yes. In virtually every developed country, electronic signatures carry the same legal weight as handwritten signatures. The key laws to know:

• United States: The ESIGN Act (2000) and UETA make e-signatures legally valid for almost all contracts
• European Union: The eIDAS Regulation establishes a legal framework for e-signatures across all EU member states
• United Kingdom: The Electronic Communications Act 2000 recognizes e-signatures
• Canada: PIPEDA and provincial laws validate e-signatures
• Australia: The Electronic Transactions Act 1999 covers e-signatures

There are a few narrow exceptions (certain real estate deeds, wills, and court orders in some jurisdictions), but for standard business contracts, service agreements, NDAs, and employment contracts, e-signatures are fully legal.

For a deeper dive into this topic, read our guide to electronic signature laws in the US and our digital signature vs. electronic signature comparison.

Tips to Get Contracts Signed Faster

Want to reduce your average signing time? These tactics actually work:

1. Send during business hours. Contracts sent between 9-11 AM on Tuesday through Thursday get signed fastest.

2. Use the signer's name in the email subject. "Sarah - consulting agreement ready for signature" beats "Document for signature."

3. Keep contracts short. If your 2-page agreement can cover everything, don't pad it to 10 pages. Shorter contracts get signed faster.

4. Pre-fill what you can. Fill in dates, addresses, and amounts before sending. The less work for the signer, the faster they'll complete it.

5. Set a clear deadline. "Please sign by Friday" is more effective than "sign at your convenience."

6. Follow up once, then call. If email reminders aren't working after 3 days, pick up the phone. Sometimes contracts get buried in busy inboxes.

FAQ: Sending Contracts for Signature

How do I send a contract for signature for free?

You can use CanUSign's pay-per-use model at €1 per signed contract with no subscription or monthly fee. DocuSign offers a limited free trial with 3 signature requests. For a completely free option, you can use a basic PDF tool and email, but you'll miss out on tracking, audit trails, and automatic reminders.

Can I send a contract for signature from my phone?

Yes. Most modern e-signature platforms, including CanUSign, work in mobile browsers. Upload your document, add signers, and send it right from your phone. The signer can also review and sign on their mobile device without installing any app.

What happens if someone refuses to sign my contract?

If a signer declines, you'll be notified. You can then discuss the issues, modify the contract terms if needed, and send a new version for signature. With CanUSign, you only pay when a document is actually signed, so declined contracts don't cost you anything.

How long does it take to get a contract signed electronically?

On average, e-signed contracts are completed within 24 hours. Many are signed within minutes of being sent. Compare that to traditional paper contracts, which take 5-7 business days on average. Setting a clear deadline and sending during business hours helps speed things up.

Is it safe to send contracts for signature online?

Yes, reputable e-signature platforms use encryption for document transfer and storage. CanUSign uses TLS encryption for data in transit and encrypted storage for signed documents. The audit trail also provides evidence of who signed, when, and from what device, which actually makes e-signed contracts more secure than paper copies that can be forged or lost.

Ready to Send Your First Contract?

You've got the knowledge. Now it's time to put it into action. Here's the quick version:

1. Finalize your contract (PDF or Word)
2. Go to canusign.com/create
3. Upload the document
4. Add your signers' email addresses
5. Hit send

That's it. Your signer gets an email, clicks a link, signs, and you both get a copy. The whole thing takes less than five minutes.

If you send contracts regularly, the €15/month unlimited plan pays for itself after your 15th contract. For occasional use, the €1 per contract model means you only pay when you actually get a document signed.

No subscriptions you'll forget about. No complex setup. Just upload, send, and get it signed.

Send your first contract for signature now →