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Included Form

Use a Included template to make your document workflow more streamlined.

What Included Form is and how it works

Included Form is a document that can be prepared, completed, signed, and stored through a signNow workflow when its issuing authority and transaction permit electronic processing. Upload the file to signNow, let the editor detect fillable areas, check each field, assign signer roles, and send invitations or a signing link. Recipients review the document, enter required information, and apply their signatures. signNow records timestamps, signer actions, and document history in an audit trail. ESIGN and applicable state law require intent, consent, attribution, and reliable record retention; separate agency submission rules still apply.

Key features for Included Form workflows

Included Form workflows combine field preparation, signer routing, mobile completion, authentication, and audit evidence without changing the document’s required information.

Field detection

Upload Included Form as a PDF, then review detected fields before assigning information and signature responsibilities to each participant.

Signer routing

Send the prepared Included Form to named recipients by email, keeping signer order and required fields visible in one workflow.

Mobile signing

Let signers complete the Included Form from a desktop browser or signNow mobile app without printing or scanning pages.

Audit trail

Capture timestamps, signer actions, and document history with the completed Included Form for later operational or evidentiary review.

Signer verification

Apply SMS-based authentication or other available verification controls when the Included Form contains sensitive business information.

Reusable template

Reuse a configured Included Form template so teams apply the same fields, routing, and completion requirements consistently.

How the Included Form workflow works

Prepare Included Form once, route it to the right participants, and preserve the completed record with its signing evidence.

  • Upload: Upload the Included Form PDF.
  • Prepare: Review detected fields and assign signer roles.
  • Send: Send invitations or create a signing link.
  • Complete: Signers complete fields; signNow stores the audit trail.
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How the Included Form audit trail works

The audit trail records who handled the Included Form, what happened, and when, creating evidence for review and recordkeeping.

01

Signer authentication:

 Records the signer’s selected authentication method.
02

Timestamp capture:

 Captures the exact date and time of each action.
03

Document hashing:

 Associates the completed document with a cryptographic hash.
04

Tamper-evident seal:

 Preserves the signed record against undetected changes.
05

Event history:

 Logs signing events, IP details, and document activity.
06

Audit export:

 Allows authorized users to retrieve or export evidence.

Security controls for Included Form

Data at rest:

 AES-256 at rest

Data in transit:

 TLS 1.2 and 1.3

Security certification:

 SOC 2 Type II certified

Information security:

 ISO 27001 certified

Electronic signatures:

 ESIGN and UETA compliant

Health information:

 HIPAA compliant with BAA

Platform requirements for Included Form

Included Form workflows run in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge on Windows and macOS. signNow also provides mobile apps for iOS and Android, with data protected in transit using TLS 1.2 or TLS 1.3.

  • Browsers Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge
  • Operating systems Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
  • Secure connection TLS 1.2 or TLS 1.3 connection

Organizations should also review managed-device policies, API access, SSO provisioning, and certificate or long-term-validation requirements before deploying Included Form workflows. Confirm that browsers, mobile apps, and network controls meet internal security requirements.

Document exclusions and state rules

Excluded documents

 Wills and codicils

Excluded documents

 Family law decrees

Excluded documents

 Court filings

Notary rules

 Real-estate deeds

Federal exclusions

 Primary-residence notices

Best practices for Included Form records

Preserve the completed Included Form with evidence of signing, apply the correct retention rule, and verify any separate filing or delivery obligation.

Map retention to the record purpose

Define the applicable retention rule before sending Included Form. For tax records, IRS rules can require three years from filing under IRC §6501(a), with six years when 25% or more of income is understated; longer state rules may apply.

Export the audit evidence

Export the completed Included Form with its audit trail and certificate of completion after signing. Keep the files together so reviewers can connect the final document with signer identity, timestamps, and recorded actions.

Protect the archived document

Store completed Included Form records in access-controlled archival storage with version protection. Limit editing and deletion rights, document the retention owner, and test retrieval so the record remains readable throughout the required period.

Confirm submission requirements separately

Separate Included Form completion from tax filing or agency submission unless the responsible authority expressly accepts the electronic process. The IRS, payer, or other recipient may impose requirements that signNow cannot determine from the document alone.

Pricing options for Included Form signing

signNow pricing is verified from annual billing information; competitor prices and capabilities are shown as Not verified where the supplied vendor data provides no confirmation.

FeaturessignNowDocuSignAdobe SignPandaDocDropbox Sign
Starting annual price$8/user/month, Business planNot verifiedNot verifiedNot verifiedNot verified
Free trial7 days, no credit cardNot verifiedNot verifiedNot verifiedNot verified
Bulk sendBusiness Premium, $15/user/monthNot verifiedNot verifiedNot verifiedNot verified
Audit trailIncluded with Business planNot verifiedNot verifiedNot verifiedNot verified
HIPAA complianceAvailable with BAA requirementNot verifiedNot verifiedNot verifiedNot verified

Included Form troubleshooting questions

Use these answers to resolve field, signer, authentication, enforceability, and document-scope questions before completing Included Form.

Upload the original Included Form PDF again and confirm that every required field has an assigned recipient. signNow’s field editor lets you review detected fields before sending. If the document remains misaligned, add fields manually and test the signer view.

The signNow Business plan includes templates and audit trails, while Business Premium adds bulk send. For repeated Included Form requests, use a template and verify recipient data before sending each individual document.

Use signNow authentication controls such as SMS verification when the Included Form contains sensitive information. For consumer-facing records, ESIGN requires electronic-record disclosures, access capability, and a process for withdrawing consent under 15 U.S.C. §7001(c).

A completed Included Form can carry an audit trail with timestamps, signer activity, and document history. ESIGN and applicable state law focus on intent, consent, attribution, and record retention; the audit trail helps preserve that evidence.

If a signer cannot open the Included Form, check the email address, resend the invitation, or provide a signNow signing link. The signer can often complete the document without creating a separate signNow account.

Do not use an electronic workflow for a document excluded from ESIGN, such as a will, codicil, testamentary trust, or certain court filing. Confirm the document’s legal requirements with the relevant authority before sending.

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