Verify signers with an email code or an access code
In Invite to sign, open a recipient and tick Verify with an email code (every plan) or Require an access code (Pro and Business). A forwarded signing link alone then won't open the document.
Updated 2 min read Available on Pro and Business
By default, the personal link in the invitation email is what lets a signer in. If that link could be forwarded or the inbox is shared, add a second check. Each recipient can have one of two.
| Option | How it works | Plans |
|---|---|---|
| Verify with an email code | Before opening the document, the signer selects Email me a code and types the 6-digit code we email them. The code works once and expires after 10 minutes. | Every plan |
| Require an access code | You choose a code (4 to 32 characters) and tell the signer by phone or text. It's never emailed. | Pro and Business |
Step 1: Open the recipient
In Invite to sign, expand the recipient's row under 1 · Recipients (Edit details).
Step 2: Choose a check
Tick Verify with an email code, or tick Require an access code and type the code. Turning one on turns the other off.
Step 3: Share an access code separately
If you set an access code, send it to the signer by phone or text message before they open the link.
Step 4: Send
Review and send shows Email code required or Access code required next to each recipient.
What the signer sees
With an email code, the signer sees Confirm it's you, selects Email me a code, and enters it under 6-digit code. They can choose Send a new code after a short wait. With an access code, they see Enter your access code and a reminder that the sender should have shared it separately.
Both are recorded in the audit trail: code sent, code confirmed and wrong codes entered. The Certificate of Completion lists each signer's authentication as Email link, Email link + one-time code or Email link + access code.
The signer never got the code.
Ask them to check spam and wait a minute, then use Send a new code. If the email address is wrong, use New link / fix email on the request in Sent.
I'm on Free and can't tick Require an access code.
Access codes are included in Pro and Business. Verify with an email code is available on Free.
Can CC recipients get a code?
No. People who only get a copy don't open a signing page, so the options are hidden for them.
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- Request signatures from other peopleOpen the document and switch to Invite to sign. Add each recipient's name, email and role, choose In order or All at once, place each person's fields, then choose Send, check the title, message, reminders and expiry, and select Send.
- What signers see, and how to sign or declineSigners open Review and sign in the email, agree to use electronic records, fill the fields in their color and select Finish (approvers select Approve). No account or app is needed. They can also choose Decline or I'd rather use paper, which closes the request.
- The signed PDF, Certificate of Completion and audit trailWhen everyone finishes, each person gets the signed PDF and a Certificate of Completion. Both are digitally sealed and, when the time-stamping service is reachable, independently time-stamped. The signed PDF carries the signing evidence inside it, so changing one byte makes PDF readers flag the file.
- Compare the Free, Pro and Business plansFree costs nothing and has no end date. Pro is $15 a month for one person, with unlimited downloads and signature requests. Business is $24 per seat a month and adds teams, branding, bulk send, the API and the largest spreadsheet-fill allowance.