What is a signing order?

Parallel versus sequential

Parallel signing is the fastest: everyone gets the link at once and signs whenever they like. It suits documents where order does not matter, such as a consent form with several parents or an NDA between two companies.

Sequential signing matters when one signature depends on another. A company may want a candidate to sign an offer letter before a director countersigns it. A landlord may want the tenant to sign before they do, so they are not bound to terms the tenant has not accepted.

Common signing orders by document

Some patterns come up again and again:

• Offer letter: candidate, then hiring manager or HR director
• Tenancy agreement: tenants, then landlord or agent
• Contractor agreement: contractor, then client
• Board resolution: directors in any order, then company secretary
• Document with a witness: signer, then witness

Signing order and contract formation

Under common law a contract is usually formed when the last party signs and the signed copy is communicated, unless the document says otherwise. Sequential signing makes that moment clear. It also stops a counterparty seeing your signature on a draft they could then amend before signing. This is general information, not legal advice.

How Sign PDF handles signing order

On the Full plan ($10 a month) you choose everyone at once or one after another when you send. You can also type an instruction in the editor's assistant, such as 'landlord signs first', and it arranges the order. Automatic reminders are part of the Full plan too.

The sender can sign their own document too, either first or at their place in the order. The Light plan sends to everyone at once.