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An Approver is a type of recipient who reviews and approves documents without adding a signature. Approvers are useful in workflows where someone needs to review and authorize a document before it proceeds, but their approval does not require a signature. Common use cases include:
  • Manager approval before a contract is sent to an external party
  • Compliance review of documents before finalization
  • Internal sign-off processes where formal signatures are not required
  • Multi-stage approval workflows with different levels of authorization

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Approver vs. Signer

ApproverSigner
Reviews documentsYesYes
Fills in input placesYesYes
Adds signature or initialsNoYes
Creates legal obligationsTypically noYes
Recipient typeapproversigner
Use an approver when you need someone to review and authorize a document without creating a signature obligation. Use a signer when a legally binding signature is required.
Approvers are functionally equivalent to preparers. The only differences are in the UI wording and confirmation messages shown to the recipient during the ceremony.

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Approver’s Ceremony

The approver interacts with the envelope and its documents through the Approver’s Ceremony. At the start of the ceremony, the approver reviews the documents in the envelope. If the envelope contains input places assigned to the approver, such as text boxes or checkboxes, the approver fills them out as needed. After reviewing all documents and completing any required actions, the approver clicks Approve to finalize their review. Approve button Once approved, the approver sees a confirmation message. Approved confirmation
Approvers do not create a record on the Audit Log. Only signers have their actions recorded in the audit log that is included in the deliverable.

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Workflow Example

A typical workflow involving an approver:
1

Create envelope

Include an approver recipient to review and authorize the document.
2

Approver completes their ceremony

The approver reviews the documents and fills in any assigned input places.
3

Subsequent recipients see the data

Recipients after the approver see the document with the approver’s fields filled in.
4

Signers complete signing

Signers review and sign the approved document.

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Creating an Envelope with an Approver

When creating an envelope, specify type: "approver" for recipients who should review and approve without signing. 
// POST https://api.signatureapi.com/v1/envelopes
// X-API-Key: key_test_...
// Content-Type: application/json

{
    "title": "Service Agreement",
    "recipients": [
        {
            "key": "manager",
            "type": "approver",
            "name": "Sarah Chen",
            "email": "sarah@company.com"
        },
        {
            "key": "client",
            "type": "signer",
            "name": "Michael Torres",
            "email": "michael@client.com"
        }
    ],
    "routing": "sequential",
    //...
}
In this example, the manager (approver) reviews and approves the agreement first, then the client (signer) receives the document to sign.

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Assigning Places to an Approver

Approvers can fill in input places such as text inputs, checkboxes, and dropdowns. Places are assigned to an approver using the recipient_key property. Signature and initials places cannot be assigned to approvers. 
{
    "documents": [
        {
            "places": [
                {
                    "type": "text_input",
                    "recipient_key": "manager",
                    "key": "approval_notes",
                    //...
                },
                {
                    "type": "checkbox",
                    "recipient_key": "manager",
                    "key": "terms_reviewed",
                    //...
                }
            ],
            //...
        }
    ],
    //...
}
The information entered by the approver is displayed in subsequent ceremonies.

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Next Steps