Counter-Signature
A counter-signature is a second signature added to a document to validate or confirm the first signature, commonly used by an authorizing party to approve what a primary signatory has already signed.
What it means
Counter-signatures are common in corporate governance, government contracts, and financial documents. For example, an employee signs an expense report and a manager counter-signs to approve it. In contract law, counter-signing by both parties is how a binding agreement is formed — each party's signature acknowledges the other's.
Why it matters for e-signatures
SignOwl's sequential and parallel signing workflows are built to support counter-signature scenarios. You can specify signing order so that a counter-signing party only receives the document after the primary signatory has completed their section.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
Is a counter-signature required for all contracts?
No, but it is standard practice for formal agreements. When both parties counter-sign, it creates clear evidence that both parties assented to the exact same document.
How does SignOwl handle counter-signature workflows?
You can assign signing order in SignOwl so documents route to each party in sequence. Once the first party signs, SignOwl automatically sends the document to the next signer.
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