The PDF stays readable
The recipient can inspect the document before entering their name, giving consent or applying a signature.
Step-by-step guide
How to send a contract or agreement for online signature.
This guide is for sending a contract or agreement to other people—not simply adding your own signature to a PDF. Upload the finished document and add up to four signers. We email each private link for you and return the completed copy after everyone signs.
The signing action is explicit
The signer confirms their full name, chooses a drawn or typed signature and accepts the electronic-signing statement.
The signed document comes back
The completed PDF is returned to the sender by email, while the signer can download their own copy immediately.
Before uploading
Prepare the final contract or agreement
Read the contract or agreement carefully and make all content changes before uploading it. Sending locks the uploaded PDF, recipient and field positions so that the signing request cannot silently change afterwards.
Use a clear filename and leave enough space for each signature and date. Pen Free Signatures accepts PDF files up to 20 MB and supports up to four signers per document.
- Check names, dates and agreement terms
- Remove comments or unfinished placeholders
- Leave visible signing space
- Export a clean final PDF
Sender workflow
Add the fields and send it to the signer
After uploading, drag the signature box and signed-date field to the correct page locations. The date is not entered by either party; it is filled using the server clock when the signing action completes.
Enter the intended signer’s full name and email address, add a subject, and edit the personal message if needed. After the final review, Pen Free Signatures emails the recipient a private link to the exact contract or agreement you prepared.
Recipient workflow
The recipient reviews and signs online
The recipient opens the private email link and reads the PDF before signing. They independently enter their full name, which is printed beneath the visible signature and recorded in the evidence.
Drawing is the default digital-signing method on phones, tablets and computers. The recipient can instead type a signature and select an available style. They accept the electronic-signing statement and complete the agreement without printing, scanning or emailing an attachment back manually.
After completion
Receive the signed document back
The completed PDF includes the signature, confirmed signer name, server-recorded date and an electronic signing certificate. For drawn signatures, the certificate also reproduces the signature appearance.
The sender receives the completed PDF as an email attachment, and the signer receives an immediate download option. Completed documents and signing data are deleted from the service after seven days, so each party should keep its own copy.
The process
A quick route from agreement to signed copy.
- 01
Upload the agreement
Upload the finished contract or agreement, position the signature and date, then enter the signer’s details.
- 02
Send the private link
Confirm the document and recipient. We email the private 30-day signing link for you.
- 03
Get the signed PDF back
The recipient signs online, the sender receives the completed PDF by email, and both parties keep a copy.
Common questions
Useful details before you begin.
Can someone sign a PDF from a phone?
Yes. The recipient signing screen is designed for mobile browsers and drawing is the default signature method.
How do I receive the signed agreement back?
When the recipient finishes signing, Pen Free Signatures emails the completed PDF to the sender. The signer can also download a copy immediately.
How long does the signing link work?
The recipient has 30 days to complete the request. If it remains unsigned, the request and associated data are automatically deleted.
Is every type of document suitable?
No. Do not use this simple workflow for documents requiring witnesses, notarisation, regulated identity checks or a specialist form of electronic signature.
Ready to send an agreement for signature?
Upload the contract and add up to four signers. We send it for you—quickly, easily and free—and return the signed PDF.
Create your free account