Document History is an append-only, tamper-evident log: events are time-stamped and added in order (viewed, authenticated, signed, completed, declined, etc.) with role, email, and IP. Neither senders nor admins can edit or remove entries; any new action creates a new record, preserving sequence. This makes forgery or back-dating detectable, and the exported PDF with History provides a clear chain of events. In many jurisdictions (e.g., ESIGN/UETA, eIDAS), such audit trails support admissibility by showing attribution, intent, and integrity—though standards vary, so consult counsel.
For stronger attribution, pair History with authentication (SMS/passcode) and avoid shared links when identity proof matters.
How to Access Document History
1. To view the document history, select the document in your account and click More.
2. To quickly view the history in your account, click History, and the log will appear in the pop-up window. To get a document with the attached history, click the Download Document Group with History and you’ll find the same log on the last page of the downloaded document.
📝 In SignNow, the History timestamps shown in the UI use your local time zone, while the downloaded “PDF with History” shows timestamps in UTC. When comparing events or sharing evidence, convert times or state the time zone to avoid confusion.
Document Actions
Action Key | Display Text |
document_signer_reminder_sent | Reminder sent to |
added_text | Added a Text |
added_check | Added a Checkbox |
added_initials | Added Initials |
added_signature_field | Added a Signature Field |
added_check_field | Added a Checkbox Field |
added_initial_field | Added an Initials Field |
added_text_field | Added a Text Field |
added_signature | Signed the Document |
added_signature_with_reason | Signed the Document, Signature ID: {id}, Reason: {reason} |
signing_link_clicked | Signing Link Clicked |
signing_link_user | Signing Link User Reported |
signer_authentication_failure | Signer Authentication Failed |
signer_authentication_success | Signer Authenticated |
approver_authentication_success | Approver Authenticated |
approver_authentication_failure | Approver Authentication Failed |
document_email_copy | Document email copy |
document_custom_event | Custom Event: |
signed | Signed the Document |
notarized | Notarized the Document |
added_attachment | Added an Attachment |
document_signing_session_completed | Document Saved |
document_added_radiobutton | Added a Radio Button |
document_viewed | Viewed the Document |
document_downloaded | Document Downloaded |
document_invite_decline | Invite was Declined |
document_renamed | Document was renamed from {oldName} to {newName} |
created_document | Document Created |
document_copied_from_template | Copied from Template |
called_document_get | Viewed the Document |
document_cancelled_payment_request | Payment Request Canceled |
document_added_payment | Payment Request Fulfilled |
document_electronic_consent_given | Electronic Consent to Sign Granted |
document_electronic_consent_declined | Electronic Consent to Sign Declined |
document_electronic_consent_withdrawn | Electronic Consent to Sign Withdrawn |
document_converted_from_pdffiller | Document converted from PDFfiller |
document_converted_from_airslate | Document converted from AirSlate |
document_changed_ownership | Ownership Transferred |
document_invite_full_declined | Declined the Document |
document_invite_resend | Resent invite for the Document |
document_added_line | Added a Line to Document |
embedded_invite_completed_auth_email | Embedded Invite Completed (auth: Email) |
field_invite_draft_saved | Unfinished Document |
added_radiobutton | Added a Radio Button |
document_invite_sent | Invite Sent to |
document_invite_canceled | Invite Canceled for |
document_approved | Approved the Document |
document_declined | Declined the Document Reason: {declineReason} |
document_user_logged_in | User logged in |
sms | Using SMS |
phone_call | Using Phone Call |
password | Using Password |
sn_login | Using SignNow Login |
free_form_sign_owner_attachment_sent | Sender {email} received a signed document copy |
free_form_sign_signer_attachment_sent | Signer {email} received a signed document copy |
document_sign_owner_attachment_sent | Sender {email} received a signed document copy |
document_sign_signer_attachment_sent | Signer {email} received a signed document copy |
i_approved_this_doc | Approve this document |
i_authored_this_doc | Authored this document |
i_reviewed_this_doc | Reviewed this document |
document_processing_payment | Payment Request in Process |
qes_certificate_received | QES Certificate received |
advanced_sign_flow_eseal_received | NOM-151 Certificate received |
eid_easy_verification_successful | Authentication eID Easy was successful |
document_added_test_payment | Test Payment Request Completed |
Document Group (DG) Actions
Action Key | Display Text |
document_group_sign_owner_attachment_sent | Sender {signerContactData} received a signed document copy |
document_group_sign_signer_attachment_sent | Signer {signerContactData} received a signed document copy |
document_group_freeform_sign_owner_attachment_sent | Sender {signerContactData} received a signed document copy |
document_group_freeform_sign_signer_attachment_sent | Signer {signerContactData} received a signed document copy |
document_group_freeform_invite_signed_by_user | Document Group Freeform Invite Signed by User |
document_group_freeform_invite_cancelled | Document Group Freeform Invite Canceled for |
document_group_freeform_invite_resend | Resent Freeform Invite for the Document Group |
document_group_freeform_invite_sent | Freeform Invite for Document Group sent to: |
document_group_freeform_invite_completed | Freeform Invite for Document Group signed |
document_group_created | Document Group created |
document_group_approved | Approved the Document Group |
document_group_correction_start | Started Making Corrections |
document_group_correction_finish | Finished Making Corrections |
document_group_invite_sent | Document Group sent |
document_group_invite_cancelled | Document Group cancelled |
document_group_invite_full_declined | Declined the Document Group Reason: |
document_group_invite_approver_full_declined | Declined the Document Group Reason: |
document_group_fieldinvite_declined | Declined the Document Group Reason: |
document_group_invite_completed | Document Group signed |
document_group_downloaded | Document Group downloaded |
document_group_invite_resend | Resent invite for the Document Group |
document_group_signed | Document Group Signed by User |
document_group_viewed | Document Group Viewed |
document_group_user_logged_in | User logged in |
document_group_authentication_success | Signer Authenticated |
document_group_approver_authentication_success | Approver Authenticated |
document_group_authentication_failure | Signer Authentication Failed |
document_group_approver_authentication_failure | Approver Authentication Failed |
phone_call | Using Phone Call |
sms | Using SMS |
password | Using Password |