Contracts
Contracts are the main records you create, fill, sign, store, verify, and export in SnapSign.
To create a Contract, you start by selecting a Template. The Template defines the Contract text and the participant sections, such as Model, Creator, Property owner, Witness, Legal guardian, Regular, or Property information. You then fill in the Contract/Shoot name, shoot details, participant information, and any other fields required by the selected Template.
Different Templates can use different participant sections. SnapSign supports model-related sections, creator and generic signer sections, property-related sections, and supporting signer sections.
| Participant type | What it is used for |
|---|---|
| Model | A model who provides model details and signs a model release. |
| Model (Extended) | A model section with additional details, such as structured address, image, optional voluntary information, and guardian handling when needed. |
| Model 18 U.S. Code § 2257 | A model section for Templates that collect 2257-specific information such as ID and performer details. |
| Minor model | A model section for a minor model. |
| Creator | A creator, photographer, or similar shoot participant who signs the Contract. |
| Regular | A generic signer section for Templates that need a signer outside the more specific participant types. |
| Property owner | The owner or authorized representative who signs a Property Release. |
| Property information | Details about the property covered by a Property Release. This section does not require a signature. |
| Witness | A witness who signs when required by the Template. |
| Legal guardian | A guardian who signs for a minor model or when guardian information is required. |
| Event organizer | The organizer who signs and finalizes a Group Event after participants have signed. |
You can save a Contract as a Draft while you are still editing it. Draft Contracts can be reopened and changed.
When you start the signing process, SnapSign locks the main Contract terms, conditions, and details. After that, participants can still review and update their own personal details before signing, but the main Contract details can no longer be edited.
Each required participant must sign before the Contract is complete. Participants can sign directly in the app, or you can send a Signature Request by email. When you send a request, you can optionally add a personal message (up to 500 characters) for the signer. The message appears in the invitation email and on the signing welcome screen in the browser. After a Signature Request is sent, that participant signs through the email link, and the request email cannot be changed in the participant form.
The Signature Request link is valid for 48 hours while signing is still pending. After the participant signs, the link stays available for 30 minutes so they can view the signed Contract.
After all required signatures are completed, the Contract is marked as Signed and its PDF is generated. Signed Contracts are saved in your Contracts list and can be exported or shared as a PDF or as JPG images (one JPG file per PDF page). You can also download a Certificate for a signed Contract.
While editing a Draft, you can set a shoot start date and optionally add an end date for multi-day shoots. The allowed range is up to 5 calendar days, inclusive, from the first shooting day through the last.
Contracts can be searched, marked as favorites, cloned, and deleted. Search supports keyword, Contract type, and date range. If a Contract contains model information, you can save that model to the model library for future use.
You can verify a Contract PDF in the SnapSign app or on the website to check whether it has been changed since it was created.
Always review the Contract carefully before signing or sending a Signature Request.
Contracts FAQ
What is a Contract?
A Contract is a SnapSign record created from a Template. It includes the Contract text, shoot details, participant information, and required signatures.
How do I create a Contract?
Choose a Template, select a language when needed, then fill in the Contract/Shoot name, shoot details, and participant sections required by the Template.
What participant types can a Contract include?
The participant sections depend on the Template. Some sections are for people who sign, while others collect information needed for the Contract, such as Property information.
| Participant type | Data it contains | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Model name, contact details, address, date of birth, image when required, and signature. | Used when the Contract needs a model to provide details and sign a model release. |
| Model (Extended) | Model name, contact details, structured address, date of birth, image, optional voluntary information, guardian name when needed, and signature. | Used for Templates that need more complete model information or minor/guardian handling in one model section. |
| Model 18 U.S. Code § 2257 | Model name, contact details, date of birth, ID information, performer names or aliases, depiction/location details when required, initials, and signature. | Used for Templates that collect 2257-specific model information. |
| Minor model | Minor model name, date of birth, image when required, and signature information. | Used when the Contract includes a minor model section. |
| Creator | Creator name, address, email, and signature. | Used for the creator, photographer, or similar shoot participant who needs to sign. |
| Regular | Signer name, title, address, email, image when required, and signature. | Used as a generic signer section when a Template needs a signer that is not one of the more specific participant types. |
| Property owner | Property owner name, contact details, phone, ownership or representative details, company details when relevant, and signature. | Used when a Property Release needs the property owner or authorized representative to sign. |
| Property information | Property description, address, city, state, country, ZIP/postal code, and image when required. | Used to describe the property covered by a Property Release. This section collects information and does not require a signature. |
| Witness | Witness name, address, email, and signature. | Used when a Template requires a witness to sign. |
| Legal guardian | Legal guardian name, address, email, and signature. | Used when a guardian must sign for a minor model or when guardian information is required. |
| Event organizer | Event organizer name, address, email, and signature. | Used in Group Events when the organizer reviews and finalizes the event after participants have signed. |
What is a Draft Contract?
A Draft Contract is a Contract that has been saved but has not started the signing process. You can reopen and edit a Draft.
What happens when I start signing?
SnapSign locks the main terms, conditions, and Contract details. Participants can still review and update their own personal details before signing, but the main Contract details can no longer be changed.
What does Ready to sign mean?
Ready to sign means the Contract has started the signing process and is waiting for one or more required signatures.
What does Signed mean?
Signed means all required participants have signed the Contract.
Can participants sign remotely?
Yes. All Contract Templates support remote signatures. You can send a Signature Request by email, and the recipient can review their information and sign remotely.
When you send the request, you can optionally include a personal message (up to 500 characters). The signer sees it in the invitation email and on the welcome screen before signing in the browser.
After a Signature Request is sent, that participant signs through the email link. In-app signing is no longer available for that participant, and the request email is locked in the participant form.
Is the personal message on a Signature Request required?
No. The message is optional. If you leave it blank, the invitation works the same way it did before this feature was added.
What happens if I resend a Signature Request?
The new Signature Request replaces the previous one. The old email link expires and can no longer be used.
How long is a Signature Request link valid?
For unsigned requests, the email link is valid for 48 hours from when the request was sent. The invitation email states this limit. If the link expires before signing, the signer sees a message that the request has expired and should contact the Contract creator to send a new request.
After the Contract is signed through the link, the same link remains available for 30 minutes so the signer can view the signed document. After that, the link shows that the Contract is signed and is no longer available.
Can I sign directly in the app?
Yes. Participants can review the Contract and add their signature directly in the app.
Can I export a Contract?
Yes. Contracts can be exported or shared as a PDF or as JPG images. JPG export creates one image file per PDF page and shares all pages together. Signed Contracts use the completed PDF. Draft export is available with a subscription and follows the same access rules as PDF export.
Can I set a shoot date range?
Yes. While editing a Draft Contract, you can set a shoot start date and optionally add an end date for multi-day shoots. The app allows a range of up to 5 calendar days, inclusive, from the first shooting day through the last.
What is a Certificate?
A Certificate is an audit trail or certification file that can be downloaded for a signed Contract.
Can I search Contracts?
Yes. You can search Contracts by keyword and filter by Contract type and date range.
Can I clone a Contract?
Yes. Cloning copies the filled Contract details into a new Contract. Existing signatures are not copied to the new Contract.
Can I verify a Contract PDF?
Yes. You can verify a Contract PDF in the SnapSign app or on the website to check whether it has been changed since it was created.
Can I save model information from a Contract?
Yes. If a Contract contains model information, SnapSign can let you save that model to the model library.
Can I delete a Contract?
Yes. You can delete a Contract from your Contracts list. Review carefully before deleting, because deletion permanently removes the Contract and related data, including its PDF, without the ability to restore it.
Should I review before signing?
Yes. Always read the Contract carefully and review all details before signing or sending a Signature Request.