How to sign a PDF online with Countersigned

Start with the right PDF

Use the final version of the document, with the names, amounts, dates, and terms already checked. Countersigned adds signatures and other fields to your PDF; it does not rewrite the agreement for you.

If your document is in Word or another editor, export it to PDF first. Open the exported file and check that every page looks right. Upload an unprotected PDF that the people signing can read.

Add the people who need to sign

Create an agreement in your workspace and upload the PDF. Give it a subject that will make sense to the people receiving it, such as “Design services agreement — October.” Add each recipient’s name and email address, then check those details before continuing.

You can include yourself as a signer. When several people are involved, choose whether they should sign together or in a particular order. If someone only needs the finished agreement, use the copy recipient role rather than assigning them a signature.

Show each signer where to act

In the field editor, select a recipient and place their signature field on the document. Add any other information you need, such as a signing date, name, or text response. Fields belong to the selected recipient, so check the recipient assignment as you work.

1. Place a signature field for every person who needs to sign.
2. Mark fields as required when the agreement needs a response.
3. Preview the document to check field placement and the signing experience.
4. Review the recipients, message, and document before sending.

Review, sign, and finish

Recipients open their signing invitation and review the electronic-record disclosure before continuing. They can read the PDF, complete their assigned fields, and type, draw, or upload a signature. They do not need a Countersigned account to sign.

Placing a signature is one step in the process. The signer must also finish and submit their responses. If they need more time, Finish Later lets them return through their invitation while it remains valid.

Keep the completed document

When everyone required has finished, Countersigned prepares the signed PDF and a separate completion record. You can follow the agreement’s status in your workspace and download the available files there.

Save a copy where you normally keep important agreements. A useful filename includes the document type, the other party, and a date. For documents you send regularly, turn the setup into a reusable template so the next agreement takes less preparation.