Should signers sign one after another, or all at once? This guide explains sequential and parallel signing, when to use each, and how to configure both in Signvoy.
When a document needs more than one signature, you have a choice: send it to everyone at the same time, or send it to each signer in a specific order. The right approach depends on your document type and your workflow.
This guide explains both routing options, when each one makes sense, and how to set them up in Signvoy.
What is parallel signing?
Parallel signing (also called simultaneous signing) sends the document to all signers at the same time. Each person receives their notification email independently and can sign whenever they're ready. The document is considered complete once every assigned signer has signed.
Best for:
- Agreements where the order doesn't matter (e.g. two co-founders both signing a partnership agreement)
- Documents where you want the fastest possible turnaround
- Internal approvals with multiple stakeholders who all have equal standing
Example: A mutual NDA between two companies. Either party can sign first — there's no legal or practical reason to enforce an order. Both get notified simultaneously and the document completes as soon as both have signed.
What is sequential signing?
Sequential signing sends the document to signers one at a time, in a defined order. Signer 2 is not notified until Signer 1 has completed their signature. Signer 3 isn't notified until Signer 2 is done. And so on.
Best for:
- Documents that require review and approval before countersigning
- Employment agreements (candidate signs first, then HR countersigns)
- Client contracts (client signs first, then the account manager countersigns)
- Any workflow where a later signature is conditioned on an earlier one
Example: An offer letter. The candidate reviews and signs the offer first. Only after they commit does the HR manager (or CEO) countersign to make it official. If you sent both at once, the HR manager might countersign a document the candidate ultimately rejects — creating a confusing paper trail.
Hybrid: mixing sequential and parallel
Some workflows need both. Signvoy supports mixed routing — where some signers are in sequential stages and others sign in parallel within a stage.
Example: A three-party agreement where two clients must both sign (parallel within Stage 1), and then your company representative countersigns (Stage 2, sequential after Stage 1 completes).
Configuration: create Stage 1 with both clients assigned as parallel signers, then create Stage 2 with your company representative. Both clients receive notifications simultaneously; once both have signed, your rep is automatically notified.
How to configure signing order in Signvoy
In a template
- Open the template editor and click the Signing order tab
- You'll see each role listed. Drag roles into the order you want
- To make two roles sign in parallel, drag them to the same numbered stage
- Click Save
In a one-off document
- After placing fields and assigning signers, click Signing order before sending
- Drag signers into the sequence you want
- For parallel groups, use the "Same stage" toggle to group them
The impact on completion time
Sequential signing takes longer in elapsed calendar time because each stage adds a waiting period. If a document has three sequential signers and each takes 24 hours, the full cycle is at least 3 days.
Tips to keep sequential cycles fast:
- Set a signing deadline — Signvoy sends reminder emails 24 and 48 hours before it expires
- Enable automatic reminders — nudge signers who haven't opened the email after a set period
- Sequence strategically — put the signer most likely to delay at the end, not the middle
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the signing order after sending?
No — once a document is sent, the routing is locked. If you need to change the order, void the current envelope and resend. This is why we recommend building templates for recurring document types: the order is configured once and always correct.
What happens if a signer in the middle declines?
If any signer declines or rejects the document, the signing process stops. Subsequent signers are not notified. You'll receive a notification that the document was declined and can void and resend if needed.
Does the signing order appear on the audit trail?
Yes. The audit trail records each signer event (open, sign, decline) in chronological order with timestamps. This is important for regulatory compliance — you can prove that each party signed in the required order.
Can I set different deadlines for each stage?
Not per-stage, but you can set an overall signing deadline. If a sequential signing cycle hasn't completed by the deadline, all parties are notified and the document expires.
Configure your signing workflow in Signvoy's template editor — sequential, parallel, or both, in minutes.
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