Guide
How to Sign a Freelance Contract Online
Freelancers send contracts before every project. Electronic signatures eliminate the back-and-forth.
Steps
- 1
Write your contract as markdown
- 2
Send to client with both party details
- 3
Client signs on their phone or computer
- 4
Both parties get the signed PDF instantly
- 5
Free for 5 documents/month
Try it with curl
curl -X POST https://signb.ee/api/send \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"content": "# Your Document\n\nContent here...",
"senderName": "Your Name",
"senderEmail": "you@email.com",
"recipientName": "Recipient",
"recipientEmail": "recipient@email.com"
}'Legal validity
Electronic signatures are legally binding under the ESIGN Act (US), eIDAS Regulation (EU), and Electronic Communications Act (UK). Every Signbee document includes a SHA-256 tamper-proof certificate.
More details
Every freelance project should start with a signed contract. Without one, you have no legal protection if a client disputes scope, refuses to pay, or claims ownership of your work.
The problem is friction. If signing requires printing, scanning, or downloading an app, the contract gets delayed — or skipped entirely. Electronic signatures remove all friction: write the contract, send it, get it signed within minutes.
Essential clauses for freelance contracts: - Scope of work (be extremely specific) - Deliverables and deadlines - Payment amount and schedule (50% upfront is standard) - Revision policy (e.g., 2 rounds included, additional at $X/hour) - Kill fee (what happens if the client cancels mid-project) - Intellectual property ownership (work-for-hire vs. licensed) - Confidentiality obligations - Termination clause with notice period
For freelancers who send contracts regularly: create a markdown template with your standard terms and programmatically fill in client-specific details (name, scope, pricing) before sending for signature. The free tier (5 docs/month) covers most freelancers.
Frequently asked questions
Can freelancers sign contracts for free?
Yes. Signbee offers 5 free documents per month — enough for most freelancers. No credit card or account required. Write your contract, send it, and get it signed in minutes.
What should a freelance contract include?
At minimum: scope of work, payment terms, revision policy, IP ownership, and a kill fee. The more specific your scope definition, the fewer disputes you'll have.
Related resources
Try Signbee — free, no credit card.