I need a secure way to send contracts for signature.

A secure contract-signing workflow usually needs more than just “e-signing” — you want identity, integrity, confidentiality, and auditability. A good setup looks like this:

Secure options

1. Use a reputable e-signature platform

   • Examples: DocuSign, Adobe Acrobat Sign, Dropbox Sign, PandaDoc
   • Look for:
     • encryption in transit and at rest
     • audit trail / tamper-evident logs
     • signer authentication
     • expiration controls
     • access controls and multi-factor authentication

2. Send contracts through a secure portal, not plain email attachments

   • Share a link that requires login or one-time verification
   • Set document permissions to view/sign only
   • Avoid sending editable Word docs

3. Use strong signer verification

   • Email verification alone is weak
   • Prefer:
     • MFA
     • SMS/OTP
     • government ID verification, if appropriate
     • knowledge-based verification for higher-risk agreements

4. Lock the document before sending

   • Finalize as PDF
   • Prevent unsigned edits
   • Hashing/tamper detection is ideal

5. Keep a complete audit trail

   • Timestamp
   • IP address/device info
   • signer identity checks
   • signing sequence
   • certificate of completion

If you need maximum security

Consider:

• digital signatures with certificates instead of basic e-signatures
• PKI-backed signing
• qualified electronic signatures if you’re in a jurisdiction that recognizes them
• encrypted storage and controlled retention policies

Best-practice workflow

1. Prepare final PDF
2. Upload to e-sign platform
3. Enable MFA or identity verification
4. Send via secure link/portal
5. Require signer authentication
6. Archive signed copy + audit trail securely

Avoid

• emailing unsigned contracts as attachments without protection
• sending via consumer messaging apps
• allowing edits after signature request is sent
• reusing the same access link for many recipients

If you want, I can recommend the best secure method based on your situation — for example:

• small business
• legal/HR contracts
• high-value transactions
• international signing
• regulated industry (health, finance, government)