Signing a document you’ve been sent

Open the document

Your email comes from the sender’s name “via Docket Secure”. Choose the button in it to open the document. The link is private to you, so don’t forward it. It works on a phone, tablet or computer.

If the sender asked for an access code, you are asked to Enter the access code first. It was either emailed to you separately (“Your access code from …”), or the sender will give it to you by phone or text. After 5 wrong tries the link pauses for 15 minutes.

Weren’t expecting it? Nothing happens unless you sign. You can ignore it, or decline and choose “I don’t know this sender”.

Fill in your fields

1. Read the document. Any message from the sender and any deadline are shown at the top.
2. Your fields are highlighted. Choose Next field at the bottom to go to each one in turn. The counter shows how many are left.
3. Select a Sign here or Initial here box to add your signature. Dates, your name and your email fill themselves in.
4. Type into text boxes, tick boxes and choose answers from lists as asked. Some fields may appear only after you answer another one.
5. When everything required is done, choose Finish signing.

Adding your signature

• Draw: sign with your finger, a pen or the mouse. Clear starts again.
• Type: type your full name and it is shown in a handwriting style.
• Upload: a photo or scan of your signature on paper (PNG or JPEG). The white background is removed automatically; plain white paper works best.

Choose Use this signature. The same signature fills your other empty signature boxes, and the same goes for initials.

If you are asked to approve

An approver has nothing to fill in. Read the document, then choose Approve, or Decline and say why. Your approval is recorded on the document.

Getting your copy

Email me a copy is ticked by default, just above Finish signing. Once everyone has signed, the finished PDF is emailed to you. If you were the last to sign, you can also download it straight away. Untick it if you don’t want a copy.

If it isn’t your turn yet

Some documents are signed one after another. If someone needs to sign before you, the page says so, and you are emailed the moment it is your turn.

Declining

Choose Decline at the bottom. Pick the reason that fits: something needs to change, you are not the right person, you don’t agree with it, you don’t know the sender, or another reason. Add a note if you like (up to 500 characters). The document closes for everyone and the sender is told your reason, so they can send a corrected version or send it to someone else.

If you choose I don’t know this sender, you can also tick Don’t let anyone send me documents through Docket Secure. Every future request to your email address, from anyone, is then refused. You can’t undo this yourself, but you can email us.

Your privacy

We record only what you did and when, such as opened and signed. We never record your IP address, your location or your device. See our Privacy Policy.