How to add signature in Google Forms?

Boobesh Ramalingam
Boobesh Ramalingam
Co-founder of Guesswork.co.
"How do I add an electronic signature in a google form"- Google Docs Editors Community

This is a common question from Google Forms users collecting signed forms and 608 people on Google's forum have asked about it. For example, your athletes have to sign the code of ethics before the season starts and you cannot wait for paper to come back. Google Forms does not have a built-in signature field. A checkbox or a typed name is not suitable for high-stakes agreements and a signature image upload requires each respondent to login using their Google account. You can connect a signature platform such as DocuSign instead, but that takes a script or Zapier. With Formesign, you can add a signature field to your form and respondents sign when they fill out the form, with a signed PDF for your records. Even better, they can sign on any phone or computer with no Google account.

Let's start. Import your Google Form and follow the steps below.

What Makes a Signature Legally Binding?

Before we look at how to use these options with Google Forms, let's quickly review the basic requirements for legal validity and enforceability of an agreement. There are four key requirements.

Clear notice for informed consent

You must include a clear notice that details the nature, scope and purpose of the agreement. You can add these terms and conditions directly in your google form or add a hyperlink to the webpage with the details. Simply put, make it easier for the form respondents to review and understand the terms before they provide consent.

Affirmative action to indicate intent to sign / accept terms

Form respondents must explicitly agree to the terms for it to be legally valid. This can be achieved by requiring the users to click on a "I agree" button, tick a checkbox answer choice "I have read and agree to the terms" or sign the form before submitting their response. Since these actions are voluntary, it establishes a clear intention to be bound by the terms of agreement.

Securely store and maintain record of agreements

You must maintain a record of the form response, including the terms, date and time of consent and the identity of the user. This record is essential for enforcement and dispute resolution. When the user fills the form and submits it, the response is recorded in Google Forms along with the date and time of the form submission. You should sync the Google Forms responses to Google Sheets so that you have a backup. Additionally, you should set up confirmation emails with a copy of the form response including the terms to be sent to the form respondents for their reference.

Comply with local jurisdictions of the electronic signature laws

You must ensure that the method used to get consent complies with any applicable electronic signature laws and regulations in your jurisdiction. Different regions may have specific legal requirements for electronic contracts and signatures. For example, UETA, ESIGN act in the US, eIDAS in the EU, PIPEDA in Canada, ETA in Australia etc.

5 Ways to Add a Signature in Google Forms

Google Forms does not have a built-in signature field, but there are several ways to collect consent and signatures from your respondents.
1. Include checkboxes for consent
2. Use a short answer question for typed name or initials
3. Add a file upload question for signature images
4. Integrate signature platforms such as DocuSign or HelloSign
5. Collect signatures using a Google Workspace addon such as Formesign

Method 1: Checkboxes for consent

This is the simplest method to get consent in Google Forms. The checkbox option is often used for online agreements such as terms of service, obtaining consent in registration forms, getting user consent for email opt-in and newsletters in membership forms.
  • Add a checkbox question with a clear title and "I accept" or "I have read and agree to the terms" as the answer choice
  • Add the terms in the description or add a link to the webpage with the terms and clearly state that checking the answer choice indicates consent to the terms
  • Mark this question as required in Google Forms

Pros

  • Easy to set up and use
  • Widely used and legally binding if the checkboxes are set up properly
  • Cost effective as there are no additional costs

Cons

  • Anyone can tick the box without reading the terms
  • Not suitable for high-stakes agreements or situations where a recognisable signature is required

Method 2: Short answer questions for initials or full name

Google Forms allows you to add a short answer question in the form to let users provide a text response. You can use this option to add a textbox where users can enter their initials or full name to provide consent. This method is useful for simple agreements such as photo release, liability waiver and consent for participation in events, workshops, sports etc.
  • Add a short answer question with "Initials" or "Full name" as the title
  • Add a description that clearly defines the purpose of this field. For example, "By entering your name below, you confirm that you have read and agree to the terms stated in this form"
  • Mark this question as required in Google Forms

Pros

  • Easy to set up and use for basic compliance
  • Cost effective as there are no additional costs

Cons

  • Legal validity depends on the jurisdiction and this option is not suitable for high-stakes agreements

Method 3: File upload question for uploading signatures

Google Forms file upload question allows you to collect files from your users. You can use the file upload question to let respondents upload an image of their signature and submit their response. However, this option requires respondents to login using their Google account before they can view, upload files and submit the form, which makes it unsuitable for audiences who do not have a Google account.
  • Add a file upload question with the title "Upload signature"
  • Update the settings for the file upload question to allow only png or jpg files
  • Include a description that clearly indicates the purpose of the signature image
  • Mark this question as required in Google Forms

Pros

  • Native Google Forms feature that is easier to set up
  • No external costs that are associated with specialized signature platforms and Google Workspace addons

Cons

  • Google Forms file upload requires respondents to login and hence will not work for users who don't have a google account
  • File upload option to collect signatures may not meet the legal requirements for electronic signatures in certain jurisdictions

Method 4: Integrate signature platforms such as DocuSign, HelloSign

Unlike the previous methods, this approach uses Google Forms only to collect the initial details. When the user submits the form in Google Forms, an automated workflow generates a document and sends it to the respondent via a dedicated signature platform such as DocuSign or HelloSign for signing. This option is suitable for high-stakes agreements and contracts.
  • Create a form in Google Forms to collect the necessary details
  • Customize the confirmation message to inform the user that the agreement will be emailed to them for signatures
  • Link your Google Forms with Google Sheets to automatically sync responses whenever a user submits the form
  • Use Apps Script or integration tools such as Zapier to automatically generate a document using DocuSign or HelloSign and send it to the respondent for signatures.

Pros

  • Legally binding and compliant with electronic signature laws
  • Signature platforms support advanced approval workflow and automated routing
  • Suitable for complex and high-stakes agreements

Cons

  • Poor user experience as the users have to submit the form and then access the document via email to sign it
  • Requires expertise to integrate Google Forms and signature platforms such as DocuSign
  • Specialized signature platforms are expensive

Method 5: Collect signatures using Google Forms addon

You can use the Formesign addon for Google Forms to add a signature field to your form. Unlike DocuSign and HelloSign integration, where respondents sign a separate document received via email, Formesign collects the signature as part of the form submission itself. Respondents sign when they fill out the form, not after. Formesign automatically generates a signed PDF for your records, which can be saved directly to Google Drive.
Formesign offers two signature options:
  • Simple signature: Add a signature field anywhere in the form. Respondents draw their signature to sign. No Google account required.
  • Verified signature: Collect the respondent's name, email and signature with identity verification. Requires the respondent to log in, similar to how Google Forms' verified email option works.
Simple signature is suitable for liability waivers, consent forms, membership agreements and code of conduct forms across industries such as healthcare, fitness, recreation and event management. Verified signature is suitable for patient intake forms, authorization for medical records, employment agreements and any situation where confirming the respondent's identity is important.
There are two ways to get started with Formesign:
Option 1: Use the Formesign addon
  • Create your form in Google Forms to collect the necessary details
  • Ensure that you have included the relevant terms in the form
  • Install the Formesign Signature addon and configure your form to add signatures
  • Share the Formesign link with the respondents to collect signatures in the form
  • Responses and signatures are automatically recorded in Google Forms and a signed PDF is generated for your records
Option 2: Import via Google Forms URL
  • Go to Formesign website and click on Try it free
  • Copy the URL of your existing Google Form and paste it in the import option and click Add signature
  • Formesign creates a copy of your form and does not modify the original
  • Share the Formesign link with respondents to collect signatures
  • Responses and signatures are recorded in the Responses tab in Formesign and a signed PDF is generated for your records. They reach Google Forms only if you turn on Submit to Google Forms in that tab.

Pros

  • Easy to set up signatures in your forms
  • Legally binding and compliant with electronic signature laws
  • Signed PDF automatically generated and saved to Google Drive
  • Provides a streamlined signing experience within the context of form submissions

Cons

  • Requires a subscription compared to the free Google Forms option
For detailed instructions on how to set up, share and manage responses using Formesign, see the section below.

How to add signature in Google Forms?

  • Publish your form in Google Forms, if you have not done this yet. Formesign needs it published.
  • Click on Import your Google Form and select Import your Google Forms. The page to make a copy of your Google Form will be displayed.
  • Copy the URL of your Google Form, paste it in the box and click Add signature
The Make a copy of Google Form and add signature screen, with the link pasted in and the Add signature button marked
  • Setup wizard will be displayed after about 20 seconds. Select Simple signature and click Next
Choose signature type, with Simple signature and the Next button marked
  • Select where you want to add the signature field under Add signature after, then click Next.
Add signature after, with the question Squad chosen and the Next button marked
  • Your signing link is ready will be displayed. Click Preview signing experience to test the form.
Your signing link is ready, with the Preview signing experience button marked and Share form, Edit form, Edit signature and Add another signature under Manage
  • The preview will open in a new tab. Click Autofill to automatically complete the form. It fills in your own Google name and email. Then, add your signature and submit the response to test the signing experience.
The Code of ethics form in preview with the note Owner preview, Only you see this, and the Autofill link marked
  • Click View signed document to open the auto-generated signed PDF. Only you get this button, in your preview. A real signer only sees Your response has been recorded.
The page saying Your response has been recorded, with the View signed document button marked
  • To customize the letterhead, click the pencil icon, Edit logo and business name, on the signed document.
  • Enter your website to automatically import the logo, name & other details and click Import or enter the data manually.
The window asking for your website URL to import the logo and business details, with Or enter details manually, Skip for now and the website box and Import button marked
  • Review the document carefully to ensure all form data, signatures and formatting are correct, then click Share form
The signed PDF of the Code of ethics, with the bar saying your form is now ready and the Share form button marked

How to put the signer's name on the signed PDF?

Do this before your first real signer. Until you do, the signed PDF has no name and its record says Signed by Anonymous.
  • The Share page will be displayed. Click on "Edit" tab
The tabs Edit, Preview, Share, Signed PDF and Responses, with Edit marked
  • Scroll to the end of the form. Click on the configure key fields icon, the notebook in the last After page row
The After page 1 row at the end of the form, with the Configure key fields icon marked
  • The Respondent panel will be displayed. Select the name field under Get name from and the E-Signature field under Get signature from. Both start at None. If your form has no name question, add one first.
  • Click + Email and select the email field under Get email from
  • Click Save
The Respondent panel with Get name from set to Athlete name, Get email from set to Email and Get signature from set to E-Signature, all marked and the Save button marked

How to share it with your respondents?

  • Click on "Share" tab
  • Copy the form link and share it with your respondents or send it directly via email to start collecting signed responses.
The Link tab under Share with the signing link and the Copy button marked
Each respondent fills in the form and draws their signature, with no sign-in. They see Your response has been recorded and the signed PDF is in your Signed PDF tab, with their name on it.

Summary

If your athletes have to sign before the season starts, paper is slow and a checkbox or a typed name is not suitable for high-stakes agreements. With Formesign, you add a signature field to your form, respondents sign on any phone or computer when they fill out the form and a signed PDF is generated for your records. Import your Google Form and complete the steps above. If you have any questions, write to support.

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