eSignature
Collect legally binding signature in Google Forms
Fillable PDF
Generate customized PDF from Google Forms responses
Signature workflow
Collect multiple signatures in Google Forms
Intake form
Create intake forms that accepts eSignature from patients
HIPAA form
Mask PHI fields in email & links for HIPAA compliance
Prefill & email
Prefill Google Forms & send as email to customers
All products
Add legal & HIPAA compliance to Google Forms
Customize UI
Change layout, hide fields & redirect on submit
Embed in website
Embed Google Forms in your website
Assign points
Assign different points for each answer & calculate score
File upload
Upload files in Google Forms without login
Autofill form
Transform emails into Google Forms responses using AI
Email notification
Email Google Forms response to your users & co-workers
Enhance Google Forms into CRM
Meal Prep Software
Meal prep software for weekly changing menu
Online Canteen
Take canteen orders for weekly changing menu
Order form
Calculate order amount in Google Forms
WhatsApp form
Take online orders from your WhatsApp contacts
Payment form
Registrations, memberships, & bookings using Google Forms
Website builder
Create website with community features
Payment form addon
Accept payment in Google Forms
Sell directly to customers & build your own brand
What are the basic requirements for legal validity and enforceability of an agreement?
What are the available options to get consent in Google Forms?
How to add signature in Google Forms using Formesign addon?
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
Easy to setup and use for basic compliance
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
Native Google Forms feature that is easier to set up
No external costs that is associated with specialized signature platforms and Google Workspace addons
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
Legally binding and compliant with electronic signature laws
Signature platforms support advanced approval workflow and automated routing
Suitable for complex and high-stakes agreements
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
Easy to set up and configure signatures in your forms
Provides a streamlined signing experience within the context of form submissions
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.
Click Submit to finish.