Skip to main content
No items found.
logo dropboxsign
Why Dropbox Sign?
Expand or collapse accordion

What you can do

Sign documents online
Create electronic signatures
Choose or create templates
Fill and sign PDFs
Complete online contracts
Document management
Explore features
icon arrow right

Use cases

Sales and business development
Human resources
Startups
Financial technology
Real estate
On-demand services
Products
Expand or collapse accordion
icon dropbox
Sign
Make it easy to send and sign
icon dropbox
Sign API
Integrate eSign in your workflow
icon dropbox fax
Fax
Send faxes without a fax machine
icon dropbox integrations
Integrations
We meet you where you work
Resources
Expand or collapse accordion
Blog
Workflow expertise & product news
Customer stories
Real-world stories with real results
Help center
In-depth guidance for our products
Resource library
Reports, videos, and info sheets
Developers
Pricing
Expand or collapse accordion
Dropbox Sign pricing
Find the right plan for you
Dropbox Sign API pricing
Real-world stories with real results
Contact sales
Sign up
Contact Sales
Sign in
Expand or collapse accordion
Dropbox Sign
Dropbox Forms
Dropbox Fax
Free trial
Blog
/
eSignatures fundamentals

Technical Tutorial: Simplify Signing Workflows with “Signer Attachments” for Dropbox Sign API

by 
LaToya Williams
February 12, 2019
3
minute read
Simplify Signing Workflows with “Signer Attachments” for Dropbox Sign API
icon tooltip

New look, same great product! HelloSign is now Dropbox Sign.

icon close

With all of the steps it takes to create a productive workflow, simplifying the process is always appreciated. You can now leverage one of Dropbox Sign’s newest features – “Signer Attachments” – to help boost productivity even more. 

‍

With “Signer Attachments,” signers have the option to upload any required and/or optional documents upon completing a signature request. Up to 5 attachments can be requested by a sender and subsequently uploaded by the signer(s). Example attachments might be a photo ID, pay stubs, tax documents, or proof of payment.  

‍

The ability to request signer attachments can be included in both non-embedded and embedded signature requests without a template. You’ll need to include a file upload from your local server or use a public facing file_url.

‍

Let’s walk through how this works.

Setting Up Signer Attachments in the Dropbox Sign API

‍

You’ll first need to grab your API Key from your account settings on DropboxSign.com. In this example, we’ll be using request-promise, a Node.js request library. In the future, you can use one of the six HelloSign SDKs to make this request.

‍

In this example, we’ll have two signers: Alice and Bob. Signer one, Alice, will be required to upload two documents upon signing. And Signer two, Bob, will be presented with the option to upload one document upon signing. In the code snippet below, you’ll see the details for this example conceptually within the attachments array.

‍

CODE: https://gist.github.com/latoyazamill/53cfca408847f059718707f700ac5573.js

‍

Full NodeJS Code Snippet:

‍

Note: In this example, we ’ll use the public-facing file_url[] parameter to have Dropbox Sign download the file to send for signature.

‍

CODE: https://gist.github.com/latoyazamill/39f9626a8c99239ddcec83d66c4834de.js

‍

Initial Response:

‍

Note: Within the response object you’ll notice the attachments array includes a unique id associated with each attachment and for which signer the upload belongs to. This is great information to store within your database for attachment organization and association.

‍

CODE: https://gist.github.com/latoyazamill/28cdd4968744ee234767dd51dffed5d7.js

‍

Save and make note of the signature_request_id from your response. We’ll need it at the end of the example to obtain a copy of the signed documents and uploaded attachments.

‍

Signer Flow:

‍

Each signer will be able to review and sign the document accordingly once the document is received.

‍

HelloSign API add signature to document screenshot

‍

Upon completing the signer fields and placing the final signature on the document, the signer will then be asked to upload the requested documents.

‍

In this example, Alice is required to upload two attachments:

‍

HelloSign API upload attachments screenshot

‍

If one of the document uploads fails, she cannot move forward to the next step and will be given the reason why the upload failed. In this example, the document failed due to the file type not being supported. For a list of all supported file types, please review the following documentation: Supported File Types and Sizes.

HelloSign API file upload failed due to unsupported file type screenshot

‍

If Alice successfully uploads the documents she can move forward to the next steps and complete the signature request.

‍

HelloSign API successful document upload screenshot

‍

‍

In this example, Bob cannot begin the signing process until Alice has signed due to signer order. Once Bob reviews and signs the document after Alice is complete, he will be presented with the following screen with only the option to upload an attachment since one is not required from him.

HelloSign API optional attachment screenshot



Final Response:

‍

Note: Within the response object you will notice within the attachments array, the uploaded_at key has been updated with the appropriate Unix timestamp. This is great information to store within your database for attachment organization and association.

‍

CODE: https://gist.github.com/latoyazamill/18ff2b564ed7bf114febd784786dd810.js

‍

Now that we have successfully completed the signature request with signer attachments, let's obtain a final copy of the signature request. With the signature_request_id from the initial (or final response) use the Get Files endpoint to retrieve the document. You’ll have the option to download the document as a PDF or a ZIP file.

‍

Happy Signing!

Lorem ipsum

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Lorem ipsum
icon arrow right
icon close

Up next:

Person working on a laptop at a desk. Screen shows an electronic signature being added to a document.
eSignatures fundamentals
8
minute read

SES, AES, and QES: Types of electronic signatures explained

Person signing a document on a tablet in a living room.
eSignatures fundamentals
5
minute read

How to validate a digital signature—and why it matters

Template

Employment contract template

Products
Dropbox SignDropbox Sign APIDropbox FaxIntegrations
Why Dropbox Sign
Electronic signaturesSign documentsSign and Fill PDFsOnline contractsCreate electronic signaturesSignature editorSign word documents
Support
Help centerContact salesContact supportCookies & CCPA preferencesGetting started: Dropbox SignGetting started: Dropbox Sign API
Resources
BlogCustomer storiesResource centerLegality guideTrust center
Partners
Strategic PartnersPartners locator
Company
CareersTermsPrivacy
icon facebookicon youtube

Accepted payment methods

Mastercard logoVisa logoAmerican Express LogoDiscover logo
CPA Compliance BadgeHIPAA compliance badgeSky High Enterprise Ready badgeISO 9001 Certified badge

Dropbox Sign electronic signatures are legally binding in the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, and in many countries around the world.
For more information, please view our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy