How to add signature in Google Forms?

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.

Google Forms does not have the built-in functionality to collect signatures from form respondents, but there are alternatives to get consent and signatures.

• Include checkboxes or buttons for consent

• Use short answer questions for initials or full name

• Add file upload question for uploading signatures

• Integrate signature platforms such as Docusign, Hellosign

• Collect signatures using Google Workspace addon for Google Forms

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 etc.

• 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 for the Checkboxes question 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 setup and use

• Widely used and legally binding if the checkboxes is setup properly

• 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

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. The textbox option 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 textbox entry. For example, entering the initials or name indicates consent to the terms

• Mark this question as required in Google Forms

Pros

• Easy to setup 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

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. This option requires respondents to login using their Google account to upload files and hence may not be a suitable option.

• 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 the purpose of the signature image

Pros

• Native Google Forms feature that is easier to set up

• No external costs that is associated with specialized signature platforms and Google Workspace addons

Cons

• Google Forms file upload requires users 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

When a user fills the form and submits it, the response is recorded in Google Forms. You can set up a workflow to automatically generate a document based on the Google Forms response and email it to the form respondents for signatures. You can choose to use the specialized signature platforms such as Docusign, Hellosign. 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 Google Sheets to Docusign to automatically generate a document and send it 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

Google Forms does not have the option to collect signatures from the form respondents, but you can use the Formesign addon for Google Forms to add the signature option in your forms. The addon allows you to provide a streamlined signing experience within the context of form submissions. This option is suitable for getting consent for treatment and authorization for medical records in patient intake forms, sign membership agreements, code of conduct forms, collect consent and liability waivers in various industries such as healthcare, fitness, recreation, and event management etc.

• 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 addon and configure your form to enable signatures

• Collect signatures when the user submits the form

Pros

• Easy to set up and configure signatures in your forms

• Legally binding and compliant with electronic signature laws

• Provides a streamlined signing experience within the context of form submissions

Cons

• Addons require a subscription payment compared to the free Google Forms option

• Install the Formesign addon (click here)

• Open your form in Google Forms

• Click on the addon icon

• Click Formesign

• Click Configure form

• Enable signatures and click Next

• Click Preview to test the form

For detailed instructions, refer to the screenshots below.