Sometimes agreements are created or negotiated outside of Common Paper. When this happens, you have a few options for uploading files and collecting digital signatures. This allows you to get your signed agreements back into Common Paper, complete in-progress agreements, and store everything in one place.

In order to collect signature, upload the file by clicking on the Import a Word doc or PDF option available under the Create or import an agreement button the Agreements page. Alternatively, you can use email ingestion.

This will bring you to a page where you can upload the file. Note that only DOCX and PDF files are currently supported, and the file must be less than 10MB.

Once you've done that, click continue and it will bring you to a page with a PDF preview of the file and a few options for what to do with the file.

To collect signatures, choose Ready to be signed and click Next.

The next screen let's you specify whether this file completes an existing agreement or is a new agreement.

Completing an Existing Agreement

If the agreement you are uploading for signatures is associated with an agreement that started in Common Paper, you can choose that agreement here.

Once you've completed the signature process, the associated Common Paper in progress agreement will be marked as Completed, the history will be updated, and the signed PDF attached.

NOTE: You can also trigger the completion of an in-flight agreement with an uploaded PDF from the in-flight agreement itself. Under the Other Actions menu, there's a link for Import to Complete which will take you straight to the Import process form with several sections already pre-filled.

Just select Yes, and choose the correct agreement from the dropdown.

Creating a New Agreement

If it's a new agreement, you'll be asked to specify the agreement type, which affects filtering and exports. You can also use a Custom Agreement Type (see below).

Below the new/existing agreement options is a form that lets you select who needs to sign the agreement.

The number of signature fields you'll be asked to place in the document, as well as a few different options for sending the agreement hinge on the selection that you make here.

Make your selections and click Next.

You will then see a drag-and-drop interface for placing your signature fields in the signature block of your file. A typical Common Paper signature block contains the following fields:

Some of this information may be in your document already, so you can skip placing those fields. Depending on your selections in the previous section, drag and drop each field to the corresponding place in your file’s signature block.

Once you have placed your fields, you can send your signature request to your recipient. Most regular agreement features are supported, such as automated reminders and signature request expirations dates. For agreement types that support collecting fees, you can even include a post-signature billing workflow.

Once the agreement is signed by all parties, you'll be asked to fill in some metadata about the agreement to help with filtering and sorting.

If you are the last to sign, you'll be taken to this form directly. If your recipient (or another internal signer) is the last to sign, you'll see this agreement listed on the Agreement List page like this:

Clicking on the link will take you to the form to fill in the details.

A few notes about the fields on the form:

Signature requests can be canceled from the agreement details page, in Other actions. If your agreement originated in Common Paper, it will be returned to its previous status and settings, and it can then be voided if you choose. If your agreement is new and did not originate within Common Paper, your upload will be deleted.

Unlike normal Common Paper agreements, you can edit the metadata you supplied when uploading the signed PDF. On the agreement details page, under Other Actions click on the Edit agreement details link and you'll be able to adjust the fields.

The application doesn't limit you to only the agreement types that are built in to Common Paper. You can also create your own custom agreement types, which can then be used to sort and filter agreements, and are present when exporting data as well.

There are two ways to create a custom agreement type:

Admins can edit and delete Custom Agreement Types from the Settings page.