---
title: "Collect External Signature Block: Send Forms for DocuSign-Style External Sign-Off"
url: "https://help.ontraccr.com/en/article/collect-external-signature-block-send-forms-for-docusign-style-external-sign-off"
language: "en"
last_updated: "2025-05-26T22:04:57.692Z"
---

# Collect External Signature Block: Send Forms for DocuSign-Style External Sign-Off

## 📄 Collect External Signature Block: Send Forms for External Sign-Off with Sequenced Signers  
 

The **Collect External Signature Block** allows you to send Ontraccr forms for **external signatures**—to clients, vendors, or any outside party. This is essential for formal approvals like change orders, estimates, permits, or customer-facing documents. Please note, in order for this workflow step to be activated you must connect your DocuSign account with Ontraccr by navigating over to **Settings → Integrations → DocuSign**

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## 🖊️ What Is the Collect External Signature Block?

This workflow block:

-   Sends the form for signature via a **secure, shareable link**
-   Allows for **one or multiple signers**, in a defined **sequence**
-   Tracks who signed, when, and in what order
-   Locks form data and embeds signatures into the final PDF

> ✅ Think of it as Ontraccr's built-in version of DocuSign—with full audit trail

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## 🛠 How to Configure It

1.  In **Step 3: Workflow**, drag the **Collect External Signature Block** into your canvas
2.  Connect it to the right step (typically after an Approval block)
3.  Click the block to configure:

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## ⚙️ Signature Settings

### 1\. Email Subject

Customize the:

-   **Subject** of the email

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### 2\. **Signer Setup**

For each signer, specify:

-   **Name**
-   **Order in the sequence** (1st, 2nd, etc.)

> 🧠 Add multiple signers to require sequenced approval

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### 3\. **Signature Page Options**

-   Add **signature blocks** to the final page of the PDF
-   Choose whether to **show signer name, title, date**
-   Display any **signer-entered comments**

> ✅ Final signed PDF becomes read-only and archived in the system

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## ✅ What the Signer Sees

-   They receive a secure email link
-   Open a **read-only view** of the form (PDF-style preview)
-   Add a signature via typed, drawn, or auto-generated method
-   Optional: enter **comments** before submitting

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## 🔐 Audit Trail

-   Every signature is logged with:
    -   Timestamp
    -   Signer name + email
    -   IP (optional)
-   Timeline shows when each signer completed their step

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## 📤 Where It Shows Up

-   Final PDF has all signatures embedded
-   Status of the form updates to reflect signed/unsigned
-   Timeline includes full signature history
-   Email confirmations go to both sender and signer

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## 🧠 Use Case Examples

| Form | Signers | Result |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change Order | PM → Client | Client receives, signs, triggers cost update |
| Subcontract Agreement | Internal Admin → Vendor | Vendor signs and returns digitally |
| Quote/Estimate | Form Author → Customer | Customer signs and form is marked as “Approved by Client” |
| Safety Permit | Safety Officer → Project Owner | External signature enables next workflow block |

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## 📌 Tips & Best Practices

-   📧 Use dynamic fields for email to avoid hardcoding
-   🔐 Always use **sequential signers** when the order matters
-   🧾 Use signature comment fields for "approved with changes" notes
-   📄 Add **“Signed By”** and **“Date Signed”** to the form for internal visibility