What is a signing order?

How a signing order works

When a document has more than one signer, there are two basic approaches.

• Sequential signing. Signers are asked one at a time. The second signer receives the request only after the first has signed.
• Parallel signing. All signers receive the request at once and sign in any order.

Sequential signing is useful when one signature depends on another. A common pattern is that the customer signs first and the vendor countersigns, so the vendor never commits to terms the customer has not accepted. Inside one company, a manager may need to sign before an executive.

A hypothetical example

This is a hypothetical example. Placeholder Partners Consulting sends an engagement quote to Sample Street Logistics with three signers in order: the client's project sponsor, the client's finance director and then the consulting firm's managing partner. Each person gets an emailed link when it is their turn. The document is complete when the third signature is in.

Common mistakes

• Putting the slowest signer first. Everyone behind them waits.
• Adding signers who only need a copy. Send them the signed document instead.
• Not telling signers the order. People wonder why they have not received anything.
• Guessing who has authority. Confirm the right signer before you send.

forquotez e-signatures support multiple signers with a signing order, reminders and an audit trail that records each signature. For a deeper look, read who should sign first and why.