# DocuSeal

> Send documents for electronic signature and keep a verifiable audit trail.

- Web page: https://documentation.federated.computer/apps/docuseal/
- Category: Files, photos, and documents
- Use instead of: DocuSign, Adobe Acrobat Sign, Dropbox Sign, PandaDoc
- Typical address: `docuseal.example.com`
- Project website: https://www.docuseal.com/
- Official docs: https://www.docuseal.com/docs

## Overview

DocuSeal lets you turn a PDF or Word document into a fillable, signable form, send it to one or more people, and collect a completed, signed copy with a full audit trail. It's used for contracts, NDAs, onboarding forms, consent forms, and approvals.

Main capabilities:

- A drag-and-drop **template builder** with signature, initials, date, text, number, checkbox, radio, select, image, file, stamp, and phone fields.
- **Multiple signers** in a set order or all at once, each with their own fields.
- **Email and link delivery**, with automatic reminders.
- **Audit log** recording each view, field entry, and signature, plus a signed PDF with a verification certificate.
- **Templates** you can reuse, organized into folders.
- **Bulk send** from a CSV or spreadsheet.
- **API, webhooks, and embedding** to add signing to your website or connect to [n8n](https://documentation.federated.computer/apps/n8n/).

### What it replaces

DocuSeal replaces e-signature services such as DocuSign, Adobe Acrobat Sign, Dropbox Sign (HelloSign), and PandaDoc's signing features, without per-envelope or per-sender fees.

## Signing in

Open your DocuSeal address and sign in with the account created for you. People you send documents to don't need an account.

## Create a template

1. Choose **Create** (or **Upload**) and upload a PDF, Word document, or image. You can add several documents to one template.
2. In the builder, pick a field type from the right-hand panel and draw it on the page.
3. Assign each field to a party, for example **First party** (your customer) and **Second party** (you). Rename parties to make them clearer, such as "Client" and "Company".

   ![The DocuSeal template builder with signature and date fields placed for two parties, Client and Company](https://documentation.federated.computer/screenshots/docuseal/template-builder.png)

   *Signature and date fields for two parties, renamed **Client** and **Company**. The field types are on the right.*

4. Open a field's settings to make it required, set a default value, or add a description.
5. Save. The template is ready to send.

> **Faster setup for existing forms**
>
> If your PDF already contains form fields, DocuSeal detects them on upload. You can also type field tags into a Word document before uploading (see the [DocuSeal guides](https://www.docuseal.com/guides)) so fields are placed automatically.

## Send for signature

1. Open the template and choose **Send** (or **Add recipients**).
2. Enter each party's name and email address. Turn on **Preserve order** if signers must go one after another.

   ![The DocuSeal Add New Recipients dialog with an email address for each party](https://documentation.federated.computer/screenshots/docuseal/send.png)

   *The **Add New Recipients** dialog.*

3. Edit the email message if needed, then send. Alternatively, copy the signing link and send it yourself.
4. Track progress on the template's page: each submission shows who has opened, completed, or is still pending.

To sign yourself as one of the parties, choose **Sign it yourself** or open your own signing link.

## Download completed documents

When everyone has signed, all parties receive an email with the completed PDF. In DocuSeal, open the submission to download the signed document and the **audit log**. Keep both: the audit log is your evidence of who signed and when.

## Administer DocuSeal

Open **Settings** to manage:

- **Account**: company name, time zone, and language.
- **Personalization**: your logo, email templates, and the message shown after signing.
- **Users**: invite colleagues who can create and send templates.
- **Email**: the outgoing mail settings. On Federated Core these are normally set up for you.
- **API** and **Webhooks**: tokens and callback URLs for integrations.

## Superpanel settings

- **Access**: choose which groups are given the DocuSeal address and account.

> **Legal requirements vary**
>
> Electronic signatures are legally recognized in most countries, but some document types (certain property, family, or notarized documents) still need wet-ink signatures or a qualified signature. Check with your legal adviser for important agreements.

## Further reading

- [DocuSeal guides](https://www.docuseal.com/guides)
- [DocuSeal API and embedding](https://www.docuseal.com/docs/api)
- [DocuSeal on GitHub](https://github.com/docusealco/docuseal)