Browser-local e-signature

Sign a contract in your browser

You should be able to sign a contract the same way you read one: in the browser, on the device that already has the PDF. FreeSign is a free e-signature that never uploads the file, never forces an account, and still produces a standard PAdES signature you can verify in Adobe Reader, openssl, or pyHanko.

Contracts without the SaaS detour

Classic e-sign flows export the contract to a vendor, wait for an envelope email, click through a branded viewer, then download a “completed” PDF that only that vendor’s portal fully understands. FreeSign keeps the contract where it already is — on your machine — and only exchanges cryptographic material with the Worker.

What you get on the signed PDF

• A PAdES-B-T CMS / PKCS#7 signature
• Per-user X.509 certificate (Subject CN = legal name; email in subjectAltName)
• RFC 3161 timestamp (DigiCert) plus OpenTimestamps attestation
• Embedded evidence JSON so the PDF is a self-contained evidence package

Admissibility is jurisdiction- and fact-specific; FreeSign is designed around ESIGN/UETA and eIDAS Article 26-style evidence (AES, not QES). See the signature classification FAQ.

Step-by-step in the browser

1. Open free-sign.com in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge.
2. Drop the contract PDF — preview and SHA-256 stay local.
3. Confirm email via OTP and type your legal name.
4. Download the signed PDF and send it over whatever channel matches your threat model.

Counterparties can countersign the same file the same way; signatures stack as incremental revisions.

When to use FreeSign vs a full CLM suite

Use FreeSign when privacy, speed, and “no vendor copy of the PDF” matter more than routing workflows, templates, and payment collection. Use a CLM / DocuSign-class product when you need complex recipient graphs and in-app negotiation. Many teams use both: FreeSign for sensitive one-off contracts, a suite for high-volume envelopes. More detail on free e-signature and trust.

FAQ

Can I really sign a contract entirely in the browser?

Yes. WebCrypto hashes and signs in the browser; the Worker issues the certificate and timestamps; your browser writes the seal into the local PDF.

Do I need to install software?

No. A modern browser with WebCrypto is enough. Verification later can use Adobe Reader, openssl, pyHanko, or free-sign.com/verify.

Does FreeSign store my contract?

No. The PDF is never uploaded. Envelope metadata retained for receipts does not include the document bytes.

Is browser signing free?

Yes for the standard free product — no account and no card required to sign.