Crelate's eSignature feature makes it easy to send documents for signature without leaving the application. Whether you are sending a one-time document or using a reusable eSignature template, you can quickly create and send an eSignature request directly from a Contact Record.
This article will highlight the following
Sending an eSignature Request
To send an eSignature request, navigate to the desired Contact Record and select Send E-Signature Request.
You can choose to send a one-time document or use a previously created eSignature template.
One-Time Send
When creating a one-time eSignature request, begin by uploading the document you would like to send for signature.
You can also add multiple documents to a single eSignature template, making it easier to include everything your signers need in one signing packet. You can add up to 20 documents, with a combined file size limit of 10 MB.
After uploading your initial documents, select the + icon in the document preview to add additional documents.
If you need to update a document in your template or switch to a different document, you can replace the existing document while keeping the fields already added. This lets you update your document without recreating your fields from scratch.
To replace a document, select the three-dot menu within the document preview panel, then select Replace.
Once the document(s) has been uploaded, the eSignature editor will provide three sections to customize your request: Signers, Fields, and Email.
Signers
The Signers section allows you to configure who will be responsible for signing the document. By default, the first signer will be the Contact associated with the Contact Record where the eSignature request was initiated.
To add additional signers, select the + icon and use the available options to assign the appropriate user or Contact.
If a signer is not associated with an existing user account or Contact Record in your database, you can also manually enter their email address.
After you add all signers, select the Fields tab to add and configure fields on your document.
Fields
Before adding a field, select which signer should fill it out in the document.
Contact - Assigns the field to the Contact to fill out after the document is sent
Additional Signers - Assigns the field to an additional signer, separate from the original Contact, to fill out after the document is sent
Sender Field - Assigns the field to the sender to fill out before sending the document to the first signer to sign
After selecting a signer to assign to the field, you will have several field type options available to choose from.
You can select from the Suggested Field options, which automatically create the appropriate field based on matching criteria in the pre-populated field title.
Suggested Fields:
Signatures
Signature
Initials
Text
Full Name
First Name
Last Name
Middle Initial
Email Address
Phone Number
Street Address
City
State
Zip Code
Job Title
Company
Additional Field Options:
You will also have additional field options in the top-right corner of the editor: Text, Checkbox, Signature, and Date (left to right).
Text Fields
Text fields let signers enter free-form information and can be labeled to clearly indicate what information to provide. They also support Autofill, which lets you automatically populate the field with data from an existing Contact, Opportunity, Company, or Placement record before you send the document for signature.
Note: Text fields automatically adjust to accommodate longer responses, helping maintain the appearance and readability of completed documents. When text exceeds the available space, the font size shrinks as needed; the text wraps and scrolls when additional space is required; and characters and words remain fully visible instead of being cut off. Check out our article here for more details on this improved functionality of the text fields: Crelate E-Signature Updates - July 2026 (Part 2)
Placeholder Values
You can add Placeholder Text to fields before sending an eSignature request. Use placeholder text to guide signers on what to enter, while still letting them review and complete the field as needed.
Pre-Filled Fields
You can also use the Auto-fill option for Text fields to pre-fill information before sending an eSignature request.
When creating a new Text field, simply enable Auto-fill and select the Text option. This lets you enter the information in advance, so the field is already populated when you send the request.
Hyperlink Fields
You can also add URL links as hyperlinks within fields configured on eSignature requests, making it easier for signers to access relevant websites or resources directly from the document.
For more information about these additional Text field configurations and other recent eSignature enhancements, see our Crelate eSignature Updates – August 2026 (Part 4).
Email
In the Email tab of the eSignature editor, you can customize the formatting and content of the email notification sent to signers when requesting their signature. In this section, you are required to enter an email Subject, and you can also add a personalized message to the body of the notification email, as well as include any additional recipients you would like to CC on the eSignature request.
Use a Template
If you have already created an eSignature template for the document you want to send, select Use a Template and choose the appropriate template from the list.
Once you select a template, the Signers, CC Recipients, Subject, and Message fields will automatically populate based on the configurations defined in the template. You can also associate the request with a specific Opportunity. After the template details populate in the editor window, you can make any necessary adjustments or updates before sending the request.
For additional assistance with creating an eSignature Template, please refer to our help guide here: Creating eSignature Templates.
eSignature Request Sent
Once your eSignature Request has been sent, an activity log will appear in the Activity Stream on the record, allowing you to track the status of the pending request. You can also view the request details and current status within the attached document under the Documents tab on the record. The Tracking Your eSignature Request section covers additional details on monitoring and managing your eSignature Requests.
Notifications
The Contact will receive an email notification containing a link to review and sign the document.
Once all required parties have signed, the Contact will receive a notification confirming the document has been fully signed.
If an eSignature Request is canceled, the Contact will receive a notification informing them of the cancellation, and the signing link will no longer be accessible.
You will receive notifications when:
A recipient views an eSignature request.
Each signer completes their signature.
An eSignature request is canceled.
All parties have completed signing the document
For more details on notifications for eSignature Requests, refer to our help guide: Crelate E-Signature Updates - July 2026 (Part 2).
Tracking Your eSignature Request
Once you send an eSignature Request, you can view updates and track its progress directly from the associated Contact Record.
An activity log will appear in the Contact’s Activity Stream, where you can access the attached eSignature document by double-clicking the logged activity. From the document, you can view the current status and details of the eSignature Request.
You can also navigate to the Documents tab to quickly view the current status of the eSignature Request.
From there, you can double-click the eSignature document to view additional details, monitor the signing progress, and access actions such as Resend, Resync, and Cancel the request.
Resend – Allows you to quickly resend the eSignature Request notification to the current signer.
Resync – Allows you to resync the document to ensure it is up to date and properly synchronized with Crelate Sign, reflecting any recent changes to the request status.
Cancel – Allows you to cancel a pending eSignature Request.
For more details on the option to Resend an eSignature Request notification, please refer to our help guide here: Crelate E-Signature Updates - July 2026 (Part 1)
Note: You can only use the Resend and Resync options when an eSignature Request has a status of Out for Signature. Once the request is complete and all parties have signed the document, the only available options are to Revoke or Cancel the eSignature artifact.
