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The Signature field enables digital signature collection directly within cases. This field type captures legally binding electronic signatures with multiple authentication methods, creating a complete audit trail for compliance and verification. Use Signature fields when you need to collect formal agreements, approvals, or legally binding signatures as part of your case workflow — contracts, consent forms, acknowledgments, or any document requiring a verified signature.

When to Use

Use Signature fields for:
  • Contract signatures
  • Agreement and consent forms
  • Document approvals
  • Legal acknowledgments
  • Financial authorizations
  • Medical consent
  • Terms and conditions acceptance (when signature required)
  • Compliance acknowledgments
  • Verification of identity
  • Multi-party agreements
Consider alternatives:
  • Use Checkbox for simple agreement checkboxes (non-signature)
  • Use File for uploading pre-signed documents
  • Use document generation with signatures for template-based signing

Configuration Options

Authentication Methods

Signature fields support multiple authentication methods for different legal and security requirements: Legal signature levels:
  • Basic: Simple electronic signature (handwritten)
  • Standard: Verified email/phone with OTP
  • Advanced: Identity-verified signature (Itsme)
  • Qualified: Highest legal level, equivalent to handwritten (Itsme, Swisscom)

Examples

Simple Contract Signature

Basic signature for contract acceptance:

SMS-Verified Signature

Signature with SMS one-time code authentication:

Multi-Party Signing Sequence

Multiple signatures in specific order:

Qualified Electronic Signature (Itsme)

Legally binding qualified signature for Belgian residents:

Signer Roles

Control who signs each signature field: Multiple signers:
  • Use sequence to control signing order
  • Each signer must complete before next can sign
  • Useful for approval chains and multi-party agreements

Signature Workflow

Signature Request Process

  1. Request sent: Signer receives notification (email/SMS)
  2. Authentication: Signer verifies identity (method depends on configuration)
  3. Review: Signer reviews document (if attached)
  4. Sign: Signer provides signature (draw, type, or authenticated)
  5. Confirmation: Signature captured and stored
  6. Complete: All parties notified, document finalized

Signature Metadata Stored

Each signature captures:
  • Signer name and contact information
  • Timestamp (date and time signed)
  • IP address (for audit trail)
  • Authentication method used
  • Device information
  • Signature image (if handwritten)
  • Certificate information (if qualified)

Document Attachment

Signatures can be attached to documents:
  • Generated documents from templates
  • Pre-uploaded documents
  • Documents from other steps
  • Multiple signatures on same document

Validation

Signature fields enforce signing validation:

Required Validation

  • If required: true, signature must be completed
  • Case cannot progress until signed
  • Useful for mandatory agreements

Authentication Validation

  • OTP codes must match (email/SMS)
  • Identity must be verified (Itsme, Swisscom)
  • Prevents unauthorized signatures

Sequence Validation

  • Earlier sequence signatures must complete first
  • Order enforced automatically
  • Prevents out-of-order signing

Audit Trail

Complete audit trail for each signature:
  • Who signed (name, email, phone)
  • When signed (timestamp with timezone)
  • Where signed (IP address, location)
  • How authenticated (method used)
  • What was signed (document version)
Signature validity depends on authentication method:
  • Handwritten: Valid for low-risk agreements
  • Email/SMS OTP: Valid for verified identity
  • Itsme/Swisscom: Legally equivalent to handwritten signature in EU

GDPR Compliance

Signature data is:
  • Stored securely and encrypted
  • Retained according to legal requirements
  • Included in data export requests
  • Deleted when case deleted (with retention rules)

eIDAS Regulation

Qualified signatures (Itsme, Swisscom) comply with:
  • eIDAS Regulation (EU 910/2014)
  • Legally binding across EU member states
  • Equivalent to handwritten signatures
  • Admissible as legal evidence

Best Practices

Choose appropriate authentication:
  • Handwritten: Simple agreements, internal documents
  • Email OTP: Remote signing, email verification needed
  • SMS OTP: Higher security, phone verification
  • Itsme/Swisscom: Legal requirements, high-value agreements
Set realistic requirements:
  • Only mark required if signature truly mandatory
  • Consider fallback if authentication fails
  • Provide clear instructions for signers
Sequence multiple signatures logically:
  • Client signs first, then internal approval
  • Primary signer before secondary signers
  • Lower authority before higher authority
Attach the right documents:
  • Attach document being signed
  • Ensure document is finalized before signing
  • Use generated documents for consistency
Provide clear descriptions:
  • Explain what signer is agreeing to
  • Mention authentication method required
  • Indicate estimated time to complete
Test authentication methods:
  • Test OTP delivery (email/SMS)
  • Verify Itsme/Swisscom integration
  • Check user experience on mobile devices
Consider user experience:
  • Mobile-friendly signature methods
  • Clear error messages for failed authentication
  • Allow signature retry on failure
  • Send reminders for pending signatures
Maintain compliance:
  • Store audit trail for legal minimum period
  • Document authentication methods used
  • Regularly review signature processes
  • Ensure GDPR compliance for signature data

Checkbox

Use for simple agreement checkboxes

File

Use for uploading pre-signed documents

Document Generation

Learn about generating documents for signing

Data Schema Overview

Back to Data Schema overview