Signing a Document Sent to You
How to sign a document when you receive a Papyrus signature request — internally or as an external recipient.
Signing a Document Sent to You
You got an email — what now?
The email will look something like:
Subject: [Sender name] requested your signature: [Document title]
Click here to review and sign: [Sign now]
This link expires on [date].
Click the link. Your browser opens a secure signing page.
On the signing page
- Review the document — read it carefully. You can scroll, zoom, search.
- Find your signature fields — they're highlighted. Click each in turn.
- Sign each field — three options:
- Type: type your name; Papyrus renders it in a signature-style font
- Draw: draw your signature with mouse, touchpad, or finger (on mobile)
- Upload: upload an image of your signature (white background, transparent works too)
- Confirm — click Submit signed document.
A confirmation page appears. You'll also get an email with the signed PDF.
Identity verification
Before you sign, the system verifies your identity:
- For external recipients: confirms your email by sending a code to it (one-time per session)
- For internal Papyrus users: your sign-in session is the verification (with optional step-up for high-value documents)
For high-value contracts, additional verification (passkey, hardware key, PKI certificate) may be required.
Declining to sign
If you can't or don't want to sign:
- Click Decline
- Choose a reason from the dropdown (or “Other” + free text)
- Confirm
The sender is notified with your reason. The signing request stops.
Mobile signing
The signing page works on mobile. If you have the Papyrus mobile app, the email link will open in the app instead of the browser. Drawing your signature on a touchscreen is typically easier than on a desktop.
Common questions
Can I sign on someone else's behalf?
No. The signature link is one-time and tied to your email. If you need to delegate, ask the sender to either re-send to a different email or use the in-app Delegate feature (if you're a Papyrus user).
Can I change my signature after submitting?
No. Once submitted, the signature is final. Audit-trail integrity depends on this. Contact the sender to revoke and re-issue if there's a genuine error.
What if the document is amended after I sign?
The sender shouldn't be able to amend a signed document — Papyrus blocks edits to signed documents. If they want a change, the document needs to be re-issued for signing.
What if my email link expires?
Contact the sender. They can resend with a new link. Default expiry is 14 days.
Is this legally binding?
In Kenya: yes, for most commercial contracts, per KICA. See eSignatures in Kenya: Legal Standing and Best Practice for the details.
After signing
You'll receive a copy of the finalised signed PDF via email once all signers have acted. Keep it. The audit certificate page proves authenticity if the PDF is ever modified.