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This guide will walk you through creating your Documenso account and sending your first document for signature. You’ll be up and running in just a few minutes.

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Create Your Account

1

Sign Up

Navigate to the signup page at https://app.documenso.com/signup (or your self-hosted instance URL).You can sign up using:
  • Email and password (includes creating your signature during signup)
  • Google SSO (if enabled)
  • Microsoft SSO (if enabled)
  • OIDC SSO (if enabled)
When signing up with email and password, you’ll be asked to create your signature during the registration process. This signature will be used as your default when signing documents.
2

Verify Your Email

After signing up, you’ll receive a verification email. Click the link in the email to verify your account.You’ll be redirected to the unverified account page (/unverified-account) until you complete email verification.
3

Complete Setup

Once verified, you’ll be directed to your dashboard where you can start sending documents.

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Send Your First Document

Now that your account is set up, let’s send a document for signature.
1

Upload a Document

From your dashboard, you have two options:
  1. Drag and drop a PDF file directly onto the documents page
  2. Click the upload button to select a file from your computer
Once uploaded, your document will be created in Draft status and you’ll be taken to the document editor.
Documenso currently supports PDF files. Make sure your document is in PDF format before uploading.
2

Add Recipients

In the document editor, add recipients who need to sign or view your document:
  1. Click “Add Recipient” or similar button
  2. Enter the recipient’s email address
  3. Optionally add their name
  4. Select their role:
    • Signer: Will sign the document (most common)
    • Viewer: Can view but not sign
    • Approver: Must approve before proceeding
    • CC: Receives a copy for records
    • Assistant: Can help manage the signing process
You can add multiple recipients. If you need them to sign in a specific order, enable sequential signing in document settings.
For simple use cases, most recipients will be Signers. You can add CC recipients to keep stakeholders informed without requiring their signature.
3

Place Signature Fields

Now you’ll place fields on the document where recipients need to take action:
  1. Select a recipient from the sidebar
  2. Choose a field type (Signature, Initials, Name, Email, Date, Text, etc.)
  3. Click on the document where you want to place the field
  4. Resize and position the field as needed
  5. Repeat for all required fields
Common field combinations:
  • Standard signature block: Signature + Name + Date
  • Initial multiple pages: Initials field on each page
  • Form completion: Text, Number, Checkbox, Dropdown fields
Each field is assigned to a specific recipient. Make sure you’ve selected the correct recipient before placing fields.
4

Review Document Settings (Optional)

Before sending, you can configure additional settings:
  • Sequential signing: Recipients sign in a specific order
  • Signing authentication: Require account login or 2FA
  • Expiration date: Set when recipient links expire
  • Redirect URL: Where recipients go after signing
  • Signature options: Enable/disable drawn, typed, or uploaded signatures
These settings are optional—the defaults work well for most documents.
5

Send the Document

Once you’ve added all recipients and fields:
  1. Review everything one final time
  2. Click “Send Document” or similar button
  3. The document status changes from Draft to Pending
  4. Recipients receive email notifications with secure signing links
Once sent, you cannot edit the document or fields. If you need to make changes, you’ll need to cancel and create a new document.

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Signing a Document (Recipient View)

When someone sends you a document to sign, here’s what the process looks like:
1

Receive Email Notification

You’ll receive an email with a subject like “Please sign [Document Name]”. The email includes:
  • Document title
  • Sender’s name
  • A secure signing link
2

Open the Document

Click the link in the email to access the document. You’ll see:
  • A preview of the PDF
  • All fields you need to complete highlighted
  • Information about other recipients (if any)
The signing page is accessible at /sign/[token] where the token is a unique identifier for your signing session.
3

Complete Required Fields

Click on each highlighted field to complete it:
  • Signature fields: Draw, type, or upload your signature
  • Initials: Provide your initials
  • Name/Email: Auto-filled with your information
  • Date: Auto-filled with current date
  • Text/Number fields: Enter the requested information
  • Checkboxes/Radio/Dropdown: Make your selections
4

Submit Your Signature

After completing all required fields:
  1. Review the document one final time
  2. Click “Complete” or “Sign Document”
  3. You’ll see a confirmation screen
  4. Receive a copy of the signed document via email
The document owner also receives a notification that you’ve signed.

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Track Document Progress

After sending a document, you can track its progress:
1

View Documents

Navigate to your Documents page at /t/[team-url]/documents to see all your documents.
2

Filter by Status

Use the tabs to filter documents:
  • Inbox: Documents sent to you (in organizations)
  • Pending: Awaiting signatures
  • Completed: Fully signed
  • Draft: Not yet sent
  • All: View everything
3

View Document Details

Click on a document to see:
  • Current status of each recipient
  • When the document was sent
  • Who has signed and who hasn’t
  • Audit logs showing all actions taken

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What Happens When Complete?

When all recipients have signed:
  1. Document status changes to Completed
  2. All signers receive the final signed PDF via email
  3. The sender receives a completion notification
  4. A certificate of completion is generated
  5. Audit logs are finalized and available for download
Completed documents cannot be modified. They serve as the legal record of the agreement.

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Common Workflows

Here are some common use cases and how to handle them:
  1. Add all signers as recipients with role Signer
  2. Leave sequential signing disabled (default)
  3. All recipients receive emails simultaneously
  4. They can sign in any order
  5. Document completes when the last person signs
  1. Add recipients in the order they should sign
  2. Enable Sequential signing in document settings
  3. Assign signing order numbers to each recipient
  4. Only the first recipient receives an email initially
  5. After they sign, the next recipient is notified
  6. Process continues until all have signed
  1. Add signers as usual with role Signer
  2. Add stakeholders with role CC
  3. CC recipients receive the final signed document
  4. They don’t need to take any action
  1. Create your document and add all fields
  2. Instead of sending, save it as a Template
  3. Navigate to Templates page at /t/[team-url]/templates
  4. Next time, create a document from the template
  5. Recipient information carries over if stored
  6. Send immediately without recreating fields

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Next Steps

Now that you’ve sent your first document, explore more features:

Create Templates

Save time by creating templates for frequently sent documents

Set Up Teams

Collaborate with teammates and share documents within your organization

Configure Webhooks

Automate workflows by receiving notifications when documents are signed

Organize with Folders

Keep your documents organized in folders by project or category

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Need Help?

If you run into any issues:
Most common questions are answered quickly in the Discord community. The Documenso team and other users are active and helpful!

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