Updated Aug 8, 2023
What makes contracts and sub-agreements different from the other templates in Dubsado is that you can add signature areas and initial fields. These elements can be signed electronically after you've shared the form with a client.
If you add an initials or signature field, your clients won’t be able to submit the contract or sub-agreement until they have initialed and signed all fields. The exception is any signature fields that you have marked for you (as the business owner) to countersign.
Add an initials field
The initials field allows your clients to electronically add their initials. Initials can only be completed by the client — there isn’t an option for you (as the business owner) to also initial.
To add an initials field to your contract or sub-agreement:
Go to Templates >> Forms and open up a contract or sub-agreement.
Click or drag the Initials field into your form. If you click it, the element will automatically be added to the bottom of the form.
While in the form, double-click on the newly added initials field to open up the sidebar to edit the text.
With an initials field, you can use it so your clients initial next to specific text blocks within a contract!
To add initials and text next to each other in a form:
Click on the Container element.
Click the + icon on the left. A dropdown will appear.
Select the Initials field.
Click the + icon on the right. A dropdown will appear.
Select Text Box.
If you have a lot of text, you can drag a Spacer element above the Initials field to align it with your text box.
Add a signature field
The signature area element allows the document to be signed electronically. To add a signature field to your contract or sub-agreement:
Go to Templates >> Forms and open up a contract or sub-agreement.
Click or drag the Signature field into your form. If you click it, the element will automatically be added to the bottom of the form.
While in the form, double-click on the newly added signature field to open up the sidebar.
Select whether you want your client to sign, or you as the business owner to sign.
If you would like to have your client sign and you'd like to countersign, add two Signature fields to your contract. We recommend adding a Text Box element above each signature area to clearly show who is signing where.
FAQ
Am I required to add a signature area to my contracts and sub-agreements?
Am I required to add a signature area to my contracts and sub-agreements?
They’re not required, but we strongly recommend having at least one signature field for your client to sign.
Can I have two clients sign the same contract?
Can I have two clients sign the same contract?
Unfortunately, our contracts only support a single signer at this time. If you need an additional client to sign the same contract, we recommend making a copy as a sub-agreement, adding it to the same project from the Forms tab, and emailing it to the other party to sign.
Can I change the appearance of the signature or have my client write in their own handwriting?
Can I change the appearance of the signature or have my client write in their own handwriting?
Not at this time. Even though the signature is not in your client's handwriting, typed digital signatures are still considered legally enforceable just like traditional signatures in many countries.
What if my client didn't sign electronically?
What if my client didn't sign electronically?
If your client printed the contract and signed it by hand, scan the contract and save it as a PDF on your computer. You'll be able to upload it to the project as a signed PDF.