What does the DocsAutomator e-signature API do?

It creates the document and gets it signed in one request. You send the values and the signers to POST /createDocument. DocsAutomator fills your Google Docs or Word template, emails each signer and posts webhook events, the last one with the signed PDF.

How do I name the signer in an API request?

Set the signer to Given with each request in the automation. Then send a recipients list with the request, for example [{ "signer": 1, "name": "Priya Shah", "email": "priya@brightline.example" }]. A request fills the signers the automation has; it never adds one.

Which webhook events does the API send?

esign.email_sent when an invitation goes out, or esign.email_failed when it cannot be delivered. esign.signer_signed for each signature. esign.session_declined and esign.session_expired when a request ends without signing. A final message with status completed carries the signed PDF link, each signer's name, email and time, and the values they filled in.

Can I deliver the signing link myself?

Yes. Set the link delivery to Manual in the automation. DocsAutomator then sends no invitation email, and the esign.session_created event gives you one signing link per signer to show in your own app or email.

Do I have to build the PDF myself?

No. You send values, not a finished file. DocsAutomator fills your Google Docs or Word template, including line items and conditional sections, and turns it into the PDF that goes out for signing.

How do I save the signed PDF on my own record?

Send webhookParams with the request, for example your record ID. Every webhook message carries it back. The message that contains signedPdfUrl means the document is complete: fetch the sealed PDF from that link and save it on the record. Other events, such as esign.email_sent, have no signedPdfUrl.

Can the signed PDF be saved back to a record?

Yes, on an automation whose source is a record, such as Airtable. Choose the field for the signed PDF in the app, or ask an assistant to set it. The public API does not change that setting.

Can a client accept a quote through the API instead of signing?

Yes. Choose Acceptance instead of Signing in the automation and send the same request. The client clicks Accept in the email. The webhook carries the time of acceptance and the name they typed.

Does e-signing through the API cost extra?

No. E-signing and acceptance are available on every plan, with no extra subscription. See pricing for the details. Plans start at $19 a month billed yearly ($29 billed monthly) with 100 documents a month. Every plan includes unlimited team members.

Do my signers need an account?

No. Signers open the link in the email and sign in the browser, on a phone or a computer. They do not need a DocsAutomator account.

Are e-signatures sent through the API legally recognised?

DocsAutomator e-signatures are simple electronic signatures, recognised for documents that need no special form, such as most quotes, orders and service contracts. Every signed PDF is sealed and carries a certificate and an audit trail that record who signed, when, from which email address and device. Some documents need a notary, a witness or a qualified signature, and e-signatures do not cover them. This is not legal advice.

Can I move my templates from DocuSign, PandaDoc or another signing tool?

Yes. Your templates become Google Docs or Word files with placeholders, and signature fields become tags in the template. Whether you use DocuSign, PandaDoc or another tool: our founder moves your templates, signers and flows over with you personally, at no extra cost.

HomeIntegrationsE-Signature API

E-Signature API

Send documents for signature from your API

One request creates the document from your data and sends it to the signers you name. Webhook events report each step and bring back the signed PDF.

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for their most critical documents

Your code

POST /createDocument

Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY

{

"docId": "6a1f…c204",

"data": {

"company": "Brightline Labs",

"effective_date": "2026-10-05",

"term_years": 2

"recipients": [{ "signer": 1,

"name": "Priya Shah",

"email": "priya@brightline.example" }]

}

Your webhook

esign.email_sentPOST

to: "priya@brightline.example"

esign.signer_signedPOST

signer: "Priya Shah"

status: "completed"POST

signedPdfUrl: "https://…/nda-signed.pdf"
fieldValues: { text_1: "COO" }

PDFMutual NDA, Brightline LabsSealed, with its certificate page

Your request names the signer

Why developers sign through DocsAutomator

One request from your data to a sealed PDF

The document is created for you

Your values fill a Google Docs or Word template. No PDF to build.

Signers named in each request

Pass a recipients list with each request. Nothing to save first.

Webhook events for every step

Sent, signed, declined, expired and completed, with the signed PDF link.

How to send a document for signature through the API

Set up the automation once. Every request creates the document, sends it and reports back by webhook.

1
Add a signature tag to your template
Use a Google Docs or Word template for the NDA. Type {{esign.signature_1}} where the other party signs and {{esign.date_1}} where the date goes.
2
Let each request name the signer
Create an automation with API as the source and turn on Signing. Set the signer to Given with each request, or use a placeholder or a fixed address.
3
Send POST /createDocument
Send the automation ID, the placeholder values, a recipients list with each signer's name and email, and webhookParams with your own record ID.
4
Add your webhook URL
In the automation, add the URL that receives the events: invitation sent, each signature, declined, expired and the completed document.
5
The signer signs from the email
The signer opens the email on a phone or a computer and signs without an account. Several people can sign at the same time or one after another.
6
Receive the signed PDF
When the last person signs, your webhook gets the signed PDF link, each signer and their values, plus your record ID. Save the PDF on that record.

Read the API documentation Send documents for signature from an AI agent

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Some of the teams / institutions automating and signing their documents with DocsAutomator:

Case Study

Example: an NDA sent by request

The request, the webhook message and the signed document. All names are fictional.

1. Your request

POST /createDocument

{ "docId": "6a1f…c204", "data": { "company": "Brightline Labs", "effective_date": "2026-10-05", "term_years": 2, "governing_law": "New York" }, "recipients": [ { "signer": 1, "name": "Priya Shah", "email": "priya@brightline.example" } ], "webhookParams": { "dealId": "D-1042" } }

recipients names the signer for this one document. webhookParams comes back with every webhook message.

2. The webhook message

To your webhook URL

{ "status": "completed", "closeType": "signature", "documentName": "Mutual NDA", "signedPdfUrl": "https://…/nda-signed.pdf", "completedAt": "2026-10-05T14:12:09Z", "signers": [ { "name": "Priya Shah", "email": "priya@brightline.example", "signedAt": "2026-10-05T14:12:07Z" } ], "fieldValues": { "text_1": "COO" }, "webhookParams": { "dealId": "D-1042" } }

Sent when the last person signs. signedPdfUrl is only in this message. Shortened.

3. The signed NDA

Mutual NDASealed PDF

PartiesBrightline Labs

EffectiveOctober 5, 2026

Term2 years

SignerPriya Shah, COO

10/05/2026

The sealed PDF behind signedPdfUrl, with a certificate page. It can also go to Google Drive, Dropbox and the completion email.

Quotes accepted with one click

Send a quote by request and get a yes back by webhook.

esign.signer_signed, for an acceptance

{ "event": "esign.signer_signed", "closeType": "acceptance", "documentName": "Quote Q-1182, Harbour View Hotel", "signer": { "name": "Dana Whitfield", "email": "dana@harbourview.example", "acceptedAt": "2026-10-05T09:41:22Z", "typedName": "Dana Whitfield" } }

The webhook message when a client accepts. Shortened, fictional data.

Choose Acceptance instead of Signing and send the same request. Your client opens the quote from the email and clicks Accept.

Nothing to draw and no account to create
The webhook carries the time of acceptance and the typed name
The sealed PDF comes with a Certificate of Acceptance

How acceptance works

Webhook events

Each event goes to the automation's webhook URL with the webhookParams you sent, so you can match it to your record. Only the completed message carries signedPdfUrl.

Event	When	What it carries
esign.email_sent	esign.email_sentAn invitation email goes outThe recipient and the signer number	The recipient and the signer number
esign.email_failed	esign.email_failedAn invitation cannot be deliveredThe recipient and the error	The recipient and the error
esign.signer_signed	esign.signer_signedOne signer signs or acceptsThe signer's name, email and time	The signer's name, email and time
esign.session_declined	esign.session_declinedA signer declinesWho declined, and the reason when one is given	Who declined, and the reason when one is given
esign.session_expired	esign.session_expiredThe request expires unsignedThe signers who had not signed yet	The signers who had not signed yet
status: "completed"	status: "completed"The last signer signsThe signed PDF link, every signer and the values they filled in	The signed PDF link, every signer and the values they filled in

Moving from another signing tool?

Whether you use DocuSign, PandaDoc or another tool: our founder moves your templates, signers and flows over with you personally, at no extra cost.

Book a call with our founder

What to check in an e-signature API

Seven questions to ask before you pick one.

The document is created for you. Send values, not a finished PDF, so the template stays editable.
Signers in the request. Name each signer per request, without a saved contact list.
Webhook events for each step. Sent, signed, declined, expired and completed, with the signed PDF.
Your own delivery. Signing links you can show in your own app, when you do not want our email.
Signing and acceptance. A contract needs a signature. A quote often needs only a yes.
Price per person or per signature. Check whether each team member needs a paid seat, and whether signing costs extra on top of the plan.
Proof on every PDF. A certificate and an audit trail that record who signed, when and from where.

Questions about the e-signature API

Customer Voices

Don't take our word for it. Here's what our customers say about us:

Found DocsAutomator at the perfect time. Excited to see the ways that it saves me, and our company, time. Super simple to set up and use. Customer service was PROMPT, thorough, and helpful when I ran into some issues.

Cody Nailor

I had a complex process with Airtable and Fillout I was trying to work out and an Airtable consultant told me about DocsAutomator as a much better alternative to Airtable's Page Designer for external documents. She also said Rupert was very helpful.

Sabrina Allison

I absolutely would recommend DocsAutomator to a colleague, it makes your life easier for your team. The support is awsome too.

Stefano Gualtieri

We have been using Airtable for a few years now and it has become our one source of truth. DocsAutomator has made this work for us by providing us with the ability to create documents in seconds instead of minutes or even hours. Game changer.

Jorge Peña

SVP, Delivery Operations, ZAGA.

DocsAutomator integrates very nicely with Airtable, letting my team create highly customized itineraries that handle dozens of variables. We've used the software for several years now and have no reason to shop around for other solutions.

Heather Wilson

DocsAutomator is a great service & I've been using it for around 6-months now. Automating document creation is quick, simple & highly effective, for both myself & for my clients.