How to send a signature request

Updated Nov 21, 2024
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This article describes a feature available to all Dropbox customers. However, some options require a paid Dropbox Sign plan or Dropbox Essentials, Business, or Business Plus.

A signature request refers to the entire transaction of preparing and sending one or more documents to be electronically signed by one or more signers, then receiving the signed document(s). As long as you send the document(s) to the signer(s) in a single request, it counts as only one signature request.

How to send a signature request

You can send signature requests from the Signatures page on dropbox.com or the Dropbox mobile app.

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Note:

  • All Dropbox customers can send up to three free signature requests per month.
  • Customers can send signature requests from other pages, like Browse and Previews, or from the desktop file explorer if you right-click and select Get Signature.
  • Customers on a paid Dropbox Sign plan or Dropbox Essentials, Business, or Business Plus can send more, depending on their plan.
  • If you’ve set up branded sharing, your logo will appear in all signature request emails and previews.
  • Templates aren’t available on the Dropbox mobile app.

To send a signature request:

  1. Log in to dropbox.com. 
  2. Click Signatures in the left sidebar.
  3. Click Get Signatures.

    • Note: If you already have a Dropbox Sign account, check the box to accept terms and conditions.
       
  4. Check the box next to the file you’d like to use. You can use the search bar or navigate through My Files or Recents if it doesn’t show up immediately.

    • Note: You can also upload a file by clicking Upload files in the. lower left.
       
  5. Click Choose.
  6. Enter the names and email addresses for the signers you’d like to include.

    • Note: Click Add another signer to add someone else or yourself to the document.
       
  7. Click Add. 
    • Note: If you don’t have a Dropbox Sign account, check the box to accept terms and conditions.
       
  8. Place the signer fields. Learn more about the Dropbox Sign editor.
  9. Edit the title of the document, if you’d like.  
  10. Click Send… in the upper right
  11. Review all signers’ names and emails. 
  12. Click +CC next to the signer’s email address to add anyone you’d like to CC.
  13. Add a message, if you’d like.
  14. Edit the name of the signed copy, if you’d like.
  15. Choose a location to save the document.
  16. Click Send.

The signature request will appear in the Documents tab.

To edit or sign a document on the Dropbox mobile app for iOS and Android:

  1. Open the Dropbox mobile app.
  2. Navigate to the PDF you’d like to send for signature.
  3. Tap the document to open the preview.
  4. Tap Edit/Sign in the lower left.
  5. Tap Sign in the menu bar at the bottom.
  6. Choose Other people.
  7. Enter the signer’s name and email address.

    • Note: You can only add one signer on the Dropbox mobile app.
       
  8. Tap Next.
  9. Add the fields you’d like to your PDF using the menu bar at the bottom of your screen.

    • Note: All fields that you add will be required for your signer to fill out.
       
  10. Edit the Subject and Message to be sent to your signer, if you’d like.
  11. Tap Send.

A copy of your PDF will be added to the same location as your original PDF, with the latest signature request status appended to the file name, such as “Sample_PDF (pending)”.

How to send a signature request using a template 

You can also send a signature request using a template. Learn how to create templates.

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Important: The Templates tab will be discontinued starting January 6, 2025.  A pop-up window will notify you about the change, and will redirect you to Dropbox Sign.

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Note: You must have a paid Dropbox Sign plan or Dropbox Essentials, Business, or Business Plus in order to manage templates.

To send a signature request using a template:

  1. Log in to dropbox.com.
  2. Click Signatures in the left sidebar.
  3. Click the Templates tab. 
  4. Click “” (ellipsis) next to the template you wish to use.
  5. Click Use. A new document will be created.
  6. Enter the names and email addresses for the signers you’d like to include.
  7. Click Next. 
  8. Edit the document title, if you’d like. 
  9. Choose a location to save the document. 
  10. Click Next. 
  11. Review all signers’ names and emails.
  12. Add an email message, if you’d like.
  13. Click Send for signature. 

The signature request will be added to the Documents tab.

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