Signing Ceremony
A signing ceremony is the structured event, whether in-person or remote, during which all required parties review and execute a legal document, ensuring proper consent, identification, and witnessing requirements are met.
What it means
In traditional settings, a signing ceremony involves gathering all parties and witnesses at the same location. In electronic signing, the 'ceremony' refers to the structured workflow that guides signers through reviewing the document, accepting the consent disclosure, and applying their signatures. Some regulated transactions require a 'live' ceremony conducted via video call.
Why it matters for e-signatures
SignOwl's signing workflow is designed to constitute a proper electronic signing ceremony: consent disclosure, document review, signature capture, and a timestamped completion event — each logged in the audit trail.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
Does a signing ceremony need to happen in real time for all parties?
Not in most cases. Asynchronous sequential signing (each party signs in turn) is legally valid for most contracts. Simultaneous signing is required only for specific transaction types.
What is a 'table signing' in the context of e-signatures?
A table signing is a ceremony where all parties are physically present but may use a shared device or individual devices to apply their electronic signatures, common in real estate closings.
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