How to Electronically Sign a Freelance Contract in PDF

Freelancers juggle multiple projects, deadlines, and clients — and when it comes to contracts, speed and professionalism matter.

Manually signing a contract (printing, signing, scanning, and emailing) is time-consuming, especially when your client is in a different city — or country.

Here’s why switching to electronic signatures is a game-changer for freelancers:

• Send and sign contracts in minutes, not days
• No more delays caused by printers or lost emails
• Perfect for last-minute projects or urgent approvals

• Whether your client is in London, Berlin or Tokyo, they can sign online
• Eliminate time zone issues and shipping costs
• Stay flexible, especially for remote or international projects

• An electronic signature via Yousign is legally binding under UK and EU law (eIDAS regulation)
• Includes audit trails, time stamps, and identity verification
• Keeps you protected in case of disputes

• Clients appreciate smooth, professional processes
• They don’t need to create an account to sign with Yousign
• Fewer steps = faster approvals = faster payments

Whether you're sending a contract for £500 or £50,000, a legally signed PDF protects you and your work.

When signing a freelance contract online, it’s important to understand what an electronic signature actually is — and whether it holds legal weight.

Let’s clear it up.

An electronic signature (e-signature) is a digital version of your handwritten signature. It can be:

• Typed (e.g. your full name)
• Drawn with a mouse, stylus, or finger
• A secure cryptographic process handled by an e-signature platform like Yousign

Yousign combines a visible signature with a secure verification process, ensuring each signer’s identity is confirmed and the document cannot be tampered with.

Yes. In the UK and EU, electronic signatures are fully recognised by law under the eIDAS regulation — as long as the signature process includes:

• Clear consent by the signer
• Integrity of the signed document
• Identification of each party
• Audit trail and timestamping

Yousign meets all of these requirements and more.

Freelancers can confidently sign contracts with clients — and enforce them legally if needed.

These terms are often used interchangeably, but here’s the key distinction:

Yousign uses advanced electronic signatures with cryptographic methods to ensure every contract is secure and traceable.

Signing a freelance contract in PDF format shouldn’t be complicated. With Yousign, the process is simple, fast, and 100 % secure — no need to print or scan anything.

Here’s how to do it step by step:

1. Upload your PDF contract
   → Log in to your Yousign account and upload the document you want to sign.
   You can drag and drop it directly into the interface.
2. Add the signature fields
   → Place the fields where you want each party to sign.
   Add other fields if needed: initials, date, checkbox, etc.
3. Enter the signer’s details
   → Input your client’s name and email.
   No need for them to create an account — they’ll receive a secure signing link.
4. Send the contract for signing
   → Click send. Your client receives an email with a unique, secure link.
5. Client reviews and signs
   → The signer confirms their identity via SMS or email verification, then signs.
6. Receive the signed document
   → Once signed, both parties receive the final PDF — time-stamped and legally valid.

• No installations, no technical skills required
• Works on desktop, tablet, and mobile
• Full audit trail for legal protection
• GDPR-compliant and hosted in the EU
• EIDAS-compliant for legal validity across Europe

As a freelancer, time is money — and so is trust. When it comes to managing contracts, you need a solution that’s fast, professional, and secure. That’s where Yousign stands out.

Here’s why freelancers across Europe trust Yousign to handle their PDF contract signatures:

• Fully eIDAS-compliant (EU law) and UK legally valid
• Each signature includes a timestamp, proof of consent, and a detailed audit trail
• Protects you in case of disputes or late payments

• 75% of documents signed with Yousign are completed in under 15 minutes
• No more chasing clients for weeks
• Instant notifications when your contract is signed

• Sign and send documents from any device
• No app or installation required
• Clients don’t need to create an account

• Documents are encrypted and stored on EU-based servers
• GDPR-compliant by design
• Built-in identity verification options (e.g. SMS codes)

• Centralise all your contracts in one secure dashboard
• Create reusable templates for recurring projects
• Add automatic reminders to reduce admin time

Whether you’re signing one contract a month or managing multiple clients weekly, Yousign helps you stay in control — without the paperwork.

As a freelancer, you don’t have time for printing, scanning, or chasing down signatures.

Whether you're onboarding a new client or sealing your next big project, electronic signatures offer a faster, more secure, and legally binding way to sign PDF contracts — wherever you are.

With Yousign, you can:

• Sign and send contracts in minutes
• Ensure legal compliance and security
• Create a professional experience for your clients

So if you're still handling freelance contracts the old-fashioned way, it's time to switch to a simpler, smarter solution — and it starts with Yousign.