What happens when you receive a DocuSign document

When someone sends you a document to sign through DocuSign, you will receive an email with a link and a button that says "Review and Sign" or "Sign Document". You do not need to read anything or install software — DocuSign works in your web browser. Click that button and DocuSign will open the document in your browser, showing you exactly where to sign and what information to fill in.

The document itself stays on DocuSign's servers. You are not downloading a file to your computer, which means you cannot accidentally lose it or send an unsigned version to the wrong person. DocuSign keeps a record that you signed it and when you signed it, which is why organisations use it instead of asking you to print, sign by hand, scan, and email back.

Key Takeaways

  • DocuSign documents open in your web browser when you click the email link — you do not need to read or install anything.
  • You sign by clicking on highlighted boxes, typing your name, or drawing your signature depending on what the sender set up.
  • Fill in any required fields (marked with a red asterisk) before you can complete the signing process.
  • After you sign, DocuSign sends you a copy by email and the sender gets a notification that the document is complete.

Opening the document and finding where to sign

Click the "Review and Sign" link in the email. Your browser will take you to the DocuSign page showing the document. Scroll through it to see the whole thing — some documents are multiple pages. DocuSign highlights the places where you need to act. Look for blue boxes with labels like "Sign Here", "Initial Here", or "Date". These are the spots the sender prepared for you.

If you see a red asterisk next to a field, that field is required — you cannot finish signing without filling it in. Fields without the asterisk are optional. Read the document carefully before you start signing, because once you sign, you cannot go back and change what you signed. If something looks wrong or you do not understand what you are signing, stop and contact the person who sent it to you before you proceed.

How to sign your name

Click on the box labeled "Sign Here". A popup will appear with three options: Type, Draw, or Upload Image. Most people choose Type and then type their full name into the box. Your typed name will appear in the document in the signature field.

If you want your signature to look more like a handwritten signature, click Draw. This opens a small canvas where you can use your mouse or trackpad to draw your signature. It will not look perfect — most people's do not — but it will look more personal than typed text. If you have a signature image saved on your computer (a photo or scan of your actual handwritten signature), click Upload Image and select that file instead.

Filling in dates and other required information

DocuSign will automatically fill in the current date in any field labeled "Date" unless the sender locked that field. If you need to enter a different date, click on the date field and a calendar picker will appear. Click the date you want. If the field is a text box instead of a calendar, type the date in the format shown (usually MM/DD/YYYY).

For any other text fields — like your name, address, or company name — click on the box and type the information. If you are not sure what information goes in a field, look at the label above or next to it. If it is still unclear, do not guess. Stop and ask the sender what they need before you continue.

Initials and multiple signature pages

Some documents ask you to initial certain sections in addition to signing at the end. Click on each "Initial Here" box and type your initials (usually your first and last initial, like "MC"). This works the same way as signing — you can type, draw, or upload an image.

If the document has multiple pages, DocuSign shows you one page at a time. After you finish signing and initialing on the first page, scroll down or click "Next" to move to the next page. Repeat the process for any signature fields on that page. You will see a progress indicator showing which page you are on and how many pages remain.

Completing the signing process

After you have signed, initialed, and filled in all required fields (the red asterisk fields), a button will appear at the bottom of the document. This button usually says "Finish" or "Complete Signing". Click it to submit your signed document. DocuSign will show a confirmation message saying your document has been signed.

Within a few minutes, you will receive an email with a copy of the signed document attached. The person or organisation that sent it to you will also receive a notification that you have signed it. Keep the email with the signed document for your records. If you need to reference the document later, you can find it in that email or log into your DocuSign account to view your signing history.

What to do if something goes wrong

If the document will not open, check that you are using a supported web browser — DocuSign works in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you are using an older version of Internet Explorer, switch to one of those browsers instead. Clear your browser cache and try the link again.

If you accidentally close the browser before finishing, do not worry. Click the email link again and DocuSign will show you where you left off. You can pick up where you stopped. If the link in the email has expired (this happens after several weeks), contact the sender and ask them to send you a new signing request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sign a DocuSign document on my phone?

Yes. DocuSign works on phones and tablets in any web browser. The process is the same — click the email link, scroll through the document, and click on the signature fields to sign. Drawing your signature with your finger on a touchscreen is often easier than with a mouse.

What if I need to sign but the email link is not working?

Check your spam folder — sometimes DocuSign emails get filtered there. If you still cannot find it, contact the person who sent the document and ask them to resend the signing request. They can do this from their DocuSign account in seconds.

Do I need a DocuSign account to sign a document?

No. You can sign documents without creating an account. Just click the link in the email and sign. If you sign many documents, creating a free account lets you keep a record of everything you have signed in one place.

Is it safe to sign documents in DocuSign?

DocuSign uses encryption to protect your documents while they travel to and from their servers. The document is not stored on your computer, so there is less risk of it being lost or seen by someone else. However, you should still read what you are signing before you sign it, just as you would with a paper document.

What happens after I sign — do I need to do anything else?

No. After you click "Finish", your part is done. DocuSign sends you a copy and notifies the sender. You do not need to print, scan, or email anything. Keep the email with your signed copy for your records.