Question 1

How do I create an account?

Accepted Answer

Click 'Get Started Free' on the homepage. Enter your email, first name, last name, and create a password. Passwords must be at least 10 characters and include uppercase, lowercase, a number, and a special character. Once registered, you're signed in immediately and can start uploading documents right away. Your account starts on the Free plan with 3 documents per month.

Question 2

How do I upload my first document?

Accepted Answer

From your dashboard, click the 'Upload Document' button in the top-right corner, or navigate to Documents > Upload. You can drag and drop a PDF file onto the upload area, or click to browse your files. Enter a title for the document and click Upload. The file is encrypted and stored securely in AWS S3. Once uploaded, you'll be taken to the document editor where you can add signers and signature fields.

Question 3

How do I send a document for signing?

Accepted Answer

After uploading a document: 1) Click 'Add Signer' and enter each signer's name and email address. 2) Set the signing order — sequential (Signer 1 must finish before Signer 2 gets their link) or parallel (everyone gets their link at the same time). 3) Select a signer from the list, choose a field type from the toolbar (Signature, Initials, Date, Text, etc.), and click on the document to place the field. 4) Repeat for each signer. 5) Click 'Send for Signing.' Each signer receives a secure email with a unique signing link.

Question 4

Do signers need a Zdottedline account?

Accepted Answer

No. Signers receive a secure, unique link via email that takes them directly to the signing page. They can view the document, fill in their fields, draw or type their signature, and submit — all without creating an account or downloading any software. The signing link is single-use and expires based on the document's expiration settings.

Question 5

What can I see on my dashboard?

Accepted Answer

Your dashboard shows: document statistics (total, pending, completed, draft), a list of your recent documents with their current status, quick action buttons to upload new documents or manage templates, and your plan usage. The dashboard is your command center for tracking all signing activity across your organization.

Question 6

What browsers and devices are supported?

Accepted Answer

Zdottedline works on all modern browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge (latest two versions). The platform is fully responsive and works on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. Signers can sign documents from any device with a web browser — no app installation required.

Question 7

How do I use document templates?

Accepted Answer

Templates let you create reusable document workflows. Go to Templates from the sidebar. You can use one of our pre-built templates (NDA, Employment Agreement, Sales Contract, etc.) or create your own. Templates save the field positions and signer roles, so you can generate new documents with one click. Fill in the template variables, and the PDF is generated automatically with all fields pre-positioned.

Question 8

What file formats are supported?

Accepted Answer

Zdottedline supports PDF, PNG, and JPEG files up to 20 MB. We verify the actual file content using magic byte inspection (not just the file extension) to prevent malicious uploads. PDF is the recommended format for multi-page documents. Images (PNG/JPEG) are useful for single-page forms or photos that need a signature overlay.

Question 9

What signature field types are available?

Accepted Answer

Zdottedline offers 12 field types: Signature (drawn or typed), Initials, Date, Text (free-form input), Checkbox, Dropdown (predefined options), Name (auto-filled from signer info), Email (auto-filled), Number, Radio buttons (choose one from a group), Company, and Title/Job Title. Each field can be marked as required or optional, and you can set placeholder text and validation rules.

Question 10

How does sequential vs. parallel signing work?

Accepted Answer

Sequential signing sends the document to signers one at a time in the order you specify. Signer 1 must complete their fields before Signer 2 receives their email. This is ideal for approval chains where order matters (e.g., employee signs first, then manager countersigns). Parallel signing sends all signers their links simultaneously — everyone can sign independently. Use parallel when order doesn't matter and you want faster completion.

Question 11

What happens when all signers have signed?

Accepted Answer

When the last signer completes their fields, the document status changes to 'Completed.' The complete signature chain is hashed and anchored to the Polygon blockchain, creating permanent tamper-proof evidence. All parties (document creator and all signers) receive a notification email. The signed document is available for download from the document detail page. Completed documents cannot be modified or voided.

Question 12

Can a signer decline to sign?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The signing page includes a 'Decline to Sign' button. Signers can optionally provide a reason for declining. When someone declines, the document creator is notified immediately via email. The document status is updated and the decline reason (if provided) is recorded in the audit trail. Other signers who haven't signed yet are also notified.

Question 13

How do I void a document?

Accepted Answer

Only administrators can void documents. Go to the Admin panel > Documents tab, find the document, and click 'Void.' You must provide a reason, which is permanently recorded in the audit trail. Voiding a document cancels all pending signatures and notifies all parties. Voided documents remain in the system for audit purposes but cannot be signed. Draft documents can be deleted instead.

Question 14

Do documents expire?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Documents have a configurable expiration period (default: 30 days from when they're sent for signing). If all signers haven't completed by the expiration date, the document status changes to 'Expired.' The document creator receives a notification and can choose to resend with a new expiration date. You can configure the default expiration period in your organization settings.

Question 15

Can I send the same document to multiple people?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with the Bulk Send feature (Professional plan and above). Upload a document template, then provide a CSV or manually enter multiple recipient sets. Each recipient gets their own independent copy of the document with unique signing links. This is ideal for HR onboarding, vendor agreements, or any scenario where the same form goes to many people.

Question 16

How do I download a signed document?

Accepted Answer

Go to Documents, find the completed document, and click on it to open the detail view. Click the 'Download' button to get the signed PDF. The downloaded document includes all signature images, filled fields, and a certificate of completion page with the full audit trail. Signed URLs expire after 5 minutes for security — if the download fails, refresh the page and try again.

Question 17

How are documents encrypted?

Accepted Answer

Documents are protected with multiple layers of encryption. At rest: AES-256 server-side encryption in AWS S3 with AWS-managed keys. In transit: TLS 1.2+ encryption for all data transfers. Access control: documents are only accessible through time-limited presigned URLs that expire after 5 minutes. Database fields containing sensitive data (like signing tokens) are encrypted with AES-256-GCM with unique initialization vectors.

Question 18

What is blockchain verification and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

Every signature event creates a SHA-256 hash that's cryptographically chained to the previous event, forming an immutable hash chain. When a document is completed, these hashes are anchored to the Polygon blockchain via a smart contract (ZdottedlineAnchor). This creates permanent, tamper-proof evidence that can be independently verified by anyone without trusting our servers. The blockchain transaction hash is included in the audit trail and certificate of completion. Even if Zdottedline ceases to exist, the blockchain proof remains forever.

Question 19

Are electronic signatures legally binding?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Zdottedline signatures comply with: the ESIGN Act (United States federal law), UETA (adopted by 49 US states), and eIDAS Advanced Electronic Signatures (European Union). For every signature, we capture the signer's IP address, timestamp with timezone, user agent, and create a complete audit trail. This evidence package meets the legal requirements for electronic signature validity in most jurisdictions worldwide. For specific legal questions about your use case, consult your attorney.

Question 20

What does the audit trail include?

Accepted Answer

Every action is logged with: who performed it (user ID, email), what they did (action type), when (timestamp with timezone), where (IP address, user agent), and the result (success/failure). Audit logs form a hash chain — each entry references the previous entry's hash, making it impossible to modify or delete entries without breaking the chain. Logs are retained for 7 years: 90 days in the database, then archived to encrypted S3 storage, then moved to Glacier for long-term cold storage.

Question 21

Do you support HIPAA compliance?

Accepted Answer

Enterprise plans include a HIPAA Business Associate Agreement (BAA). Our security controls meet HIPAA requirements: AES-256 encryption at rest, TLS in transit, role-based access control, comprehensive audit logging with 7-year retention, and automatic session timeouts. Documents containing PHI (Protected Health Information) are handled with the same security controls as all other documents. Contact sales@zdottedline.com for BAA execution.

Question 22

How do I enable two-factor authentication (2FA)?

Accepted Answer

Go to Settings > Security & 2FA. Click 'Enable 2FA.' You'll see a QR code — scan it with your authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy, 1Password, or any TOTP-compatible app). Enter the 6-digit verification code to confirm setup. You'll receive 10 backup codes — save these securely. If you lose access to your authenticator app, you can use a backup code to log in. We strongly recommend enabling 2FA for all accounts, especially admin accounts.

Question 23

Where is my data stored?

Accepted Answer

All data is stored in AWS US East (Virginia) region. Documents are in S3 with AES-256 encryption and cross-region replication to US West (Oregon) for disaster recovery. The database runs on AWS RDS PostgreSQL with automated daily backups and point-in-time recovery. S3 versioning is enabled so no document can be permanently lost. We do not store data outside the United States. For EU data residency requirements, contact us about our Enterprise plan options.

Question 24

Has the platform been security tested?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We perform regular security audits covering the OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities. Our security measures include: input validation on all endpoints, SQL injection prevention via parameterized queries, XSS protection via Content Security Policy headers, CSRF token validation, rate limiting on all endpoints (stricter on authentication), file upload validation via magic byte inspection, and secure session management with HttpOnly cookies. We also use AWS WAF for additional protection against common web exploits.

Question 25

What plans are available?

Accepted Answer

Zdottedline offers four plans: Free (3 docs/month, 2 signers, 100 MB — perfect for trying the platform), Starter ($19/user/month or $12/user/month annually — 50 docs, 10 signers, 5 GB, custom branding), Professional ($49/user/month or $35/user/month annually — 500 docs, 50 signers, 50 GB, blockchain verification, templates, API access), and Enterprise (custom pricing — unlimited everything, SSO, white-label, dedicated support, HIPAA BAA). All paid plans include a 14-day free trial.

Question 26

How do I upgrade or downgrade my plan?

Accepted Answer

Go to Settings > Billing & Plan. Select your new plan and billing interval (monthly or yearly). Upgrades take effect immediately — you're prorated for the remainder of your current billing cycle. Downgrades take effect at the start of your next billing cycle, so you keep your current plan features until then. If downgrading would exceed the new plan's limits (e.g., too many team members), you'll need to adjust before the downgrade takes effect.

Question 27

Can I cancel my subscription?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can cancel anytime. Go to Settings > Billing & Plan and click 'Manage Subscription.' Your plan remains active until the end of your current billing period — you won't lose access immediately. After cancellation, your account reverts to the Free plan. Your documents remain accessible, but you'll be limited to Free plan features. We retain your data for 30 days after the subscription ends, then it's scheduled for deletion per our privacy policy.

Question 28

How do I invite team members?

Accepted Answer

Go to Settings > Team. Click 'Invite Member.' Enter their name, email, and role (Member, Admin, or Owner). They'll receive an email with temporary login credentials. Members can view and manage their own documents. Admins can manage all documents and users. Owners have full control including billing and organization settings. Team member limits depend on your plan: Free (1), Starter (25), Professional (100), Enterprise (unlimited).

Question 29

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) through our secure Stripe payment processor. Stripe is PCI-DSS Level 1 certified — we never see or store your card number. Enterprise customers can request invoice-based billing with NET 30 terms. All prices are in USD.

Question 30

How do I update my profile or password?

Accepted Answer

Click your name in the top-right corner and select 'Settings' or go to Settings from the sidebar. From there you can update your first name, last name, company, and job title. To change your password, go to Settings > Security & 2FA and use the 'Change Password' section. You'll need to enter your current password and a new one that meets the complexity requirements.

Question 31

My account is locked — what do I do?

Accepted Answer

Accounts are locked after 5 failed login attempts as a security measure. The lockout lasts 15 minutes, after which you can try again. If you've forgotten your password, click 'Forgot Password' on the login page to receive a reset link via email. If your account was suspended by an administrator, contact your organization's admin to have it reactivated. If you're still locked out, email support@zdottedline.com.

Question 32

How do I connect Google Drive?

Accepted Answer

Go to Settings > Integrations and click 'Connect Google Drive.' You'll be redirected to Google to authorize access. We only request the 'drive.file' scope — meaning we can only access files that Zdottedline creates, not your entire Drive. Once connected, completed signed documents are automatically saved to your Google Drive. You can disconnect at any time from the same Integrations page.

Question 33

How do I set up Slack notifications?

Accepted Answer

Go to Settings > Integrations. Under Slack, paste your Incoming Webhook URL. To get one: go to your Slack workspace > Apps > search 'Incoming Webhooks' > Add to Slack > choose a channel > copy the webhook URL. Click 'Enable Slack' to activate. You'll receive notifications when documents are viewed, signed, declined, or completed. Use the 'Send Test' button to verify the connection.

Question 34

How do I connect Zapier?

Accepted Answer

Zapier connects via our REST API using your API access token as authentication. Available triggers: document.completed, signer.signed, signer.declined. Available actions: create_document, send_for_signing. In Zapier, search for 'Zdottedline' (or use a Webhook trigger with our API endpoints). Enter your API token when prompted. This lets you connect Zdottedline to 6,000+ apps including CRMs, email marketing tools, and project management platforms.

Question 35

How do I access the API?

Accepted Answer

API access is available on Professional and Enterprise plans. Go to Settings > Billing to verify your plan, then visit our API documentation at /api-docs for the full reference. Authentication uses Bearer tokens — generate an API key from your account settings. The API supports all core operations: create documents, add signers, place fields, send for signing, check status, and download completed documents. Rate limits apply based on your plan.

Question 36

Are integrations secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All integrations use OAuth 2.0 or encrypted webhook URLs — we never store third-party passwords. Google Drive uses the minimal 'drive.file' scope (only files we create). Slack uses encrypted webhook URLs. API tokens can be revoked at any time. All integration activity is logged in your audit trail. Tokens are encrypted at rest in our database. You can disconnect any integration instantly from Settings > Integrations.

Question 37

My document upload is failing — what should I check?

Accepted Answer

Common causes: 1) File too large — the maximum is 20 MB. 2) Wrong format — only PDF, PNG, and JPEG are supported. 3) Corrupted file — try re-exporting the PDF from its source application. 4) Plan limit reached — Free plan allows 3 documents/month. Check your usage in Settings > Billing. 5) Storage limit — check if you've hit your plan's storage cap. If none of these apply, try a different browser or clear your cache and try again.

Question 38

My signer says they didn't receive the signing email

Accepted Answer

First, verify the email address is correct in the document detail page. Common fixes: 1) Ask the signer to check their Spam/Junk folder — look for an email from noreply@zdottedline.com. 2) Ask them to add noreply@zdottedline.com to their contacts. 3) Check if their email provider blocks automated emails (common with corporate firewalls). 4) You can resend the signing invitation from the document detail page. 5) If the issue persists, the signer's email server may be rejecting our messages — try an alternate email address.

Question 39

My signature isn't saving when I try to sign

Accepted Answer

Try these steps: 1) Ensure you're using a supported browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge — latest versions). 2) Check your internet connection. 3) If drawing a signature, make sure you're clicking/tapping and holding while drawing — a single click won't register. 4) Try the 'Type' signature option instead of 'Draw.' 5) Clear your browser cache and reload the page. 6) If on mobile, try rotating to landscape mode for a larger signing area. The signing link is still valid — you can close and reopen it.

Question 40

I'm locked out of my account after enabling 2FA

Accepted Answer

If you have your backup codes (provided when you set up 2FA), enter one on the login screen where it asks for your 2FA code. Each backup code can only be used once. If you've lost both your authenticator app access and backup codes, contact your organization's admin — they can disable 2FA on your account from the Admin panel > Users tab. If you're the only admin, email support@zdottedline.com with your account email for identity verification and manual 2FA reset.

Question 41

My document shows as 'Expired' — can I fix it?

Accepted Answer

Expired documents can't be signed, but you can create a new signing request. Go to the expired document's detail page and look for a 'Resend' or 'Create New Version' option. This creates a fresh copy with a new expiration date. To prevent future expirations, adjust the default expiration period in your organization settings (Settings > Organization). Consider setting a longer window for documents that require multiple approvals.

Question 42

Pages are loading slowly — what can I do?

Accepted Answer

Try these steps: 1) Check your internet connection speed. 2) Clear your browser cache and cookies for zdottedline.com. 3) Disable browser extensions (ad blockers can sometimes interfere). 4) Try a different browser. 5) If viewing a large document (many pages or high-resolution), initial load may take a few seconds — this is normal as the document streams from encrypted storage. If the issue persists across multiple sessions, contact support with your browser name/version and approximate load times.

Question 43

My payment was declined — what should I do?

Accepted Answer

Common reasons: 1) Insufficient funds — check with your bank. 2) Card expired — update your payment method in Settings > Billing. 3) International transaction blocked — some banks block online transactions by default; contact your bank to authorize it. 4) Incorrect billing address — ensure it matches what's on file with your card issuer. 5) Stripe may flag unusual activity — try again in a few minutes. If the issue persists, try a different card or contact support@zdottedline.com.

Question 44

I can't find a document I uploaded earlier

Accepted Answer

Check these locations: 1) Use the search bar on the Documents page — search by title or filename. 2) Check the status filter — make sure 'All' is selected, not just 'Draft' or 'Completed.' 3) If you're on a team plan, the document may be under another team member's account. 4) Voided documents are still visible but marked as voided. 5) If the document was on a trial that expired, your data is retained for 30 days. If you still can't find it, check the audit trail in the Admin panel for upload events.

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