Contracts and sub-agreements in Dubsado support signature and initials fields so your clients can sign and initial your agreements electronically. This guide covers how to add, configure, and arrange these fields in the form builder.
Add an initials field
The initials field lets your client add their initials electronically. Initials can only be completed by the client — there is no option to assign an initials field to you as the workspace owner.
Initials and signature fields are only available on contracts and sub-agreements. You won't see these elements in the form builder for other form types like questionnaires or lead capture forms.
To add an initials field to your contract or sub-agreement:
Navigate to Forms ➔ Form Templates and open a contract or sub-agreement template.
In the element panel, click or drag the Initials field element into the form. Clicking it adds the element to the bottom of the form.
Click the initials element on the form to open its settings in the sidebar.
The sidebar shows the following settings for an initials field:
Required — Always on and cannot be changed. Clients must complete every initials field before they can submit the form.
Initials field text — Customize the label displayed above the field.
Placeholder text — Customize the placeholder shown inside the field. Defaults to "Initials."
Arrange initials next to text with a container
If you want your client to initial next to a specific clause, you can place an initials field alongside a text block using the Container element. Here is how to set that up:
Add a Container element to the form.
Click the + icon on one side of the container and select Initials field.
Click the + icon on the other side and select Text Box.
If the text block is long and the initials field doesn't align vertically, drag a Spacer element above the initials field inside the container to push it down into alignment.
Add a signature field
The signature field collects your client's electronic signature. You can also designate a signature field for yourself if you want to countersign the contract after your client submits it.
To add a signature field to your contract or sub-agreement:
Navigate to Forms ➔ Form Templates and open a contract or sub-agreement template.
In the element panel, click or drag the Signature field element into the form. Clicking it adds the element to the bottom of the form.
Click the signature element on the form to open its settings in the sidebar.
The sidebar shows the following settings for a signature field:
Required — Always on and cannot be changed.
This signature field is for: — Choose between The client (default) and You (the owner). When set to The client, your client must sign before they can submit the form. When set to You (the owner), the field is reserved for you to countersign after the client submits.
Signature field text — Customize the label displayed above the signature area.
Set up countersigning
To require both your client's signature and your own on the same contract, add two signature fields and configure each one for a different signer.
Add a Text Box element above each signature field to clearly label who signs where. This helps your client understand which field is theirs and which is yours.
Add two Signature field elements to the contract.
Click the first signature field and set This signature field is for: to The client.
Click the second signature field and set This signature field is for: to You (the owner).
Add a Text Box above each signature field and label them (for example, "Client signature" and "Your signature").
Your client completes their signature field when they submit the form. You countersign from the project afterward. See Countersign a contract or sub-agreement for the countersigning workflow.
FAQ
Am I required to add a signature field to my contracts and sub-agreements?
No, but it's strongly recommended. Having at least one signature field ensures your client formally agrees to the terms before they can submit the form.
Can I have two clients sign the same contract?
Contracts support only a single client signer. If you need another party to sign, create a sub-agreement, add it to the same project from the Forms tab, and send it to the other party separately. See Contracts vs. sub-agreements for more on when to use each.
Can I change the appearance of the signature or have my client write in their own handwriting?
Signatures in Dubsado are typed digital signatures. The appearance cannot be changed to handwritten. Typed digital signatures are still legally enforceable in many countries, just like traditional signatures.
What if my client signed a printed copy instead of signing electronically?
Scan the signed contract as a PDF and upload it to the project as a signed PDF. See Upload a PDF of a signed contract for instructions.