You make two choices before you send anything for signature. You choose a signing method for each document. For counterpart documents, you then choose a type for each pack.
Signing method (for each document)
Counterpart | Entire document | |
How it works | Each signatory signs their own signature page. The signed pages come back and are collated into the final document. | Everyone signs the same single document through DocuSign. |
You send it in | A signer pack, by download for wet-ink or through DocuSign | A document pack, through DocuSign |
Tagging and collation | Yes. You tag signature pages and collate at the end. | No. It is one document signed by everyone. |
Counterpart is the usual approach for US-style signings. Entire document signing is common in many other markets. Follow the practice for your deal.
Pack type (for counterpart documents)
Whole documents pack | Signature pages pack | |
The signer receives | The full document, including the pages they sign | Only the pages they are tagged on |
Document state needed | Execution | Any state |
Tagging needed | No | Yes |
Use it when | The signer should see the final agreed document when they sign | You collect signature pages before the final document is agreed, as is common in the US |
A pack holds one kind of content only, and you cannot change a pack's type after you create it.
Which should I use?
Everyone signs the same document electronically. Set the document to Entire document and use a document pack.
Each signer signs their own pages, and the document is final. Set the document to Counterpart and use a Whole documents pack.
You are collecting signature pages before the document is final. Set the document to Counterpart and use a Signature pages pack.
A signer needs the whole of one document but only the pages of another. Create two packs for that signer, one of each type.
Note: Legatics does not decide whether a signing method is valid for your document. Follow your firm's execution requirements and the law that governs the document.