Guide · Updated September 2026
How to Get a Contract Signed Remotely
Clients, freelancers and partners are often in different cities or countries. Electronic signatures let you finish a contract without printing, posting or meeting.
Step by step
- Prepare the contract. Write it yourself or start from a template, then export the final version as a PDF.
- Confirm who signs. Check the legal names and email addresses of everyone who needs to sign, and whether they sign on behalf of a company.
- Send for e-signature. Use an e-signature service to send the PDF with signature and date fields for each signer.
- Follow up. Track who has opened and signed, and send reminders if needed.
- Share the final copy. Once everyone has signed, send the completed document to all parties and store it with its audit trail.
The low-tech alternative
You can also sign the PDF yourself, email it, and ask the other party to sign and return it. This works for simple agreements but leaves you tracking versions manually and without a formal record of the signing process.
Cross-border contracts
Electronic signature laws differ by country. Most allow e-signatures for ordinary commercial contracts, but some documents need a qualified signature or a notary. Check the rules that apply to your contract.
eSignSimple offers contract templates and sending for signature with an audit trail (early access).
Frequently asked questions
Is a remotely signed contract enforceable?
In many countries, yes, for most commercial contracts. Keeping an audit trail helps prove who signed and when.
What if the other party doesn't have e-signature software?
They don't need any. Signers usually sign through a link in their browser.
Can we sign in a specific order?
Most e-signature services let you set a signing order.
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