Require an Agreement Before Viewing

Require an Agreement Before Viewing

PaperLink lets you add a custom agreement to any sharing link. Viewers must read and sign the agreement before they can see the document.

Every signature is recorded with the signer's name, email, IP address, and timestamp. Both you and the signer can download a PDF proof of the signed agreement.

Enable the Agreement

1. Open a document and click Create Link (or edit an existing link).
2. Expand the Viewer Permissions section.
3. Toggle Require NDA/Agreement on.
4. In the Agreement Title field, type a title for your agreement (optional - defaults to "Non-Disclosure Agreement"). Maximum 150 characters.
5. In the Agreement Text field, write or paste your agreement terms. This field supports basic formatting: bold, italic, underline, and lists. Maximum 5,000 characters.
6. Click Create Link to save.

What the Viewer Sees

When a viewer opens the link, they see an Agreement Required screen with your agreement title and full text.

If the viewer is not logged in (simple mode):

1. They read the agreement text.
2. They enter their name in the Your Name field.
3. They enter their email in the Your Email field.
4. They check I have read and agree to the terms above.
5. They click Sign & Continue.
6. The document loads.

If the viewer is logged in to PaperLink (verified mode):

Their name and email are filled automatically from their account. They only need to check the agreement box and click Sign & Continue. Verified signatures include a note: "You are signed in. Your verified identity will be recorded."

After Signing

The viewer sees the document with a green NDA Signed banner at the top. The banner shows the signature date and a Download Agreement button that generates a PDF proof of their signature.

If the same viewer returns to the link later, PaperLink recognizes their email and skips the agreement screen. The signed banner still appears, confirming their existing signature.

Check Who Signed

Open the document and go to the link's analytics. Each viewer session shows whether the agreement was signed, along with:

• Signer name and email
• Whether the identity was verified (logged in) or self-reported
• IP address at the time of signing
• Signature timestamp (UTC)

Combining with Other Controls

The agreement gate works alongside all other sharing controls on the same link:

• Password - viewer enters password first, then signs the agreement
• Email verification - email captured first, then agreement signed
• Download permission - agreement must be signed before any download
• Expiration date - agreement gate is active until the link expires
• Custom URL - the agreement gate appears behind your branded link

Related

• Create a Sharing Link - set up a link with access controls
• Require a Signed Agreement Before Document Access - why agreement gates matter for confidential documents
• Password-Protect Your Shared Document Links - add a password to any shared link