We've had three projects delayed because approvals arrived late. Recommend a repeatable approvals process (timelines, …
Open your document in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
Select Tools from the top menu.
Click Request E-signatures.
In the E-Sign tool menu, select Request E-signatures again if prompted.
Under Add Recipients, enter the email addresses of all signers in the order you want them to sign.
CautionRecipients will be notified and able to sign only in the order listed.
Ensure the Set signing order toggle is enabled (ON).
NoteIf this toggle is off, all recipients can sign in any order (parallel signing).
Click and drag recipients to rearrange their order if needed.
Click Next to continue setting up fields and sending the document.
Assign signature fields to each recipient as required.
Click Send to start the signing process in the specified order.
Best practiceIf you need multiple people to sign at the same step (e.g., a group), use 'recipient groups'—this allows any one member of the group to sign at their turn. (Adobe Sign user guide)
Acrobat Pro desktop app
Adding authentication, like an email or SMS code, makes your e-signature requests more secure. This is especially important for high-value agreements because it helps confirm that the correct person is signing the document, adding an extra layer of trust and legal proof.
When you send documents for e-signature, you can choose the signing order. For specific orders, like hierarchical approvals, select 'SEQUENTIAL' routing. This makes sure each person signs only after the previous person has completed their part.
| Signing Order Type | How it Works | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Sequential | Signers complete their part one after another, in a set order. | For approvals where one person must sign before the next, like a manager then a director. |
| Parallel | All signers can sign at the same time, without waiting for others. | When the order does not matter, and you need signatures quickly from multiple people. |
It is very important to confirm that every attached document has a signature field before you send it. This is the most common reason why people say 'it didn't work' when sending for signatures. If a document needs a signature but has no field, the recipient cannot sign it, and the process will fail.