Skip to main content

Signer Workflow Types

covosign supports flexible signer workflows, including single-signer, parallel multi-signer, and sequential multi-signer workflows. Workflows define the execution order and coordination of signature collection from one or more recipients.

Single Signer Workflow​

The simplest workflow sending a document to one recipient for signature.

Process Flow​

Upload Document → Add Recipient → Place Fields → Create Request → Send → Sign → Complete

{
  "title": "Employment Agreement",
  "recipients": [
    {
      "email": "employee@company.com",
      "name": "John Smith",
      "role": "SIGNER",
      "order": 1
    }
  ]
}

Multi-Signer Workflows​

Handle multiple recipients either simultaneously (Parallel) or in a specific order (Sequential) with automatic notifications and deadlines.

Parallel Workflow​

All recipients are notified simultaneously and can sign in any order.

Parallel Flow Diagram​

Send Request → All signers notified simultaneously → Any order signing → All Complete

  • Signing Order: Uniform order values
  • Notification: Immediate broadcast
  • Completion: All signatures collected

Configuration​

Set the same order (e.g., 1) for all recipients.

"recipients": [
  {
    "email": "cfo@company.com",
    "name": "CFO",
    "order": 1
  },
  {
    "email": "legal@company.com",
    "name": "Legal",
    "order": 1
  },
  {
    "email": "ceo@company.com",
    "name": "CEO",
    "order": 1
  }
]

Sequential Workflow​

Recipients are notified and must sign in a strict specific order (e.g., Employee → Manager → HR).

Sequential Flow Diagram​

Send Request → Signer 1 signs → Notify Signer 2 → Signer 2 signs → Notify Signer 3 → Signer 3 signs → Complete

  • Signing Order: Escalating order values
  • Notification: Cascading upon completion
  • Completion: Terminal recipient signs

Configuration​

Increment order (1, 2, 3...) for each step.

"recipients": [
  {
    "email": "manager@company.com",
    "name": "Manager",
    "order": 1
  },
  {
    "email": "director@company.com",
    "name": "Director",
    "order": 2
  },
  {
    "email": "ceo@company.com",
    "name": "CEO",
    "order": 3
  }
]

End-to-End API Examples​

Complete API sequences for common signing workflows.

Example 1: Single Signer with Coordinate Fields​

Use this when you have a fixed-layout PDF and know the exact field positions.

Step 1 — Create request

curl -X POST "https://api.covosign.com/api/v1/enterprise/signature-requests" \
  -H "X-API-Key: csk_live_..." \
  -F "documentFile=@contract.pdf" \
  -F "title=Service Agreement 2026"

Step 2 — Add recipient

curl -X POST "https://api.covosign.com/api/v1/enterprise/signature-requests/{requestId}/recipients" \
  -H "X-API-Key: csk_live_..." \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "email": "john.doe@client.com",
    "name": "John Doe",
    "signingOrder": 1
  }'

Step 3 — Place fields with coordinates

curl -X POST "https://api.covosign.com/api/v1/enterprise/signature-requests/{requestId}/fields" \
  -H "X-API-Key: csk_live_..." \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "fields": [
      {
        "type": "SIGNATURE",
        "recipientId": "{recipientId}",
        "page": 1,
        "x": 100,
        "y": 650,
        "width": 200,
        "height": 50,
        "name": "Client Signature"
      },
      {
        "type": "DATE",
        "recipientId": "{recipientId}",
        "page": 1,
        "x": 320,
        "y": 650,
        "width": 120,
        "height": 30,
        "name": "Date Signed"
      }
    ]
  }'

Step 4 — Send

curl -X POST "https://api.covosign.com/api/v1/enterprise/signature-requests/{requestId}/send" \
  -H "X-API-Key: csk_live_..."

Example 4: Sequential Multi-Signer with Anchors​

A contract that requires approval from Manager, then Director, then CEO.

Add sequential recipients

# Manager
curl -X POST "https://api.covosign.com/api/v1/enterprise/signature-requests/{requestId}/recipients" \
  -H "X-API-Key: csk_live_..." \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "email": "manager@company.com",
    "name": "Manager Name",
    "signingOrder": 1
  }'

# Director
curl -X POST "https://api.covosign.com/api/v1/enterprise/signature-requests/{requestId}/recipients" \
  -H "X-API-Key: csk_live_..." \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "email": "director@company.com",
    "name": "Director Name",
    "signingOrder": 2
  }'

# CEO
curl -X POST "https://api.covosign.com/api/v1/enterprise/signature-requests/{requestId}/recipients" \
  -H "X-API-Key: csk_live_..." \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "email": "ceo@company.com",
    "name": "CEO Name",
    "signingOrder": 3
  }'

Place fields for each signer

curl -X POST "https://api.covosign.com/api/v1/enterprise/signature-requests/{requestId}/fields/anchored" \
  -H "X-API-Key: csk_live_..." \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "fields": [
      {
        "anchorKey": "{{covosign:manager-signature}}",
        "type": "SIGNATURE",
        "recipientId": "{managerId}",
        "width": 200,
        "height": 50
      },
      {
        "anchorKey": "{{covosign:director-signature}}",
        "type": "SIGNATURE",
        "recipientId": "{directorId}",
        "width": 200,
        "height": 50
      },
      {
        "anchorKey": "{{covosign:ceo-signature}}",
        "type": "SIGNATURE",
        "recipientId": "{ceoId}",
        "width": 200,
        "height": 50
      }
    ]
  }'