Get started with the SignNow API
This quickstart guide walks you through the basics of the SignNow API dashboard and helps you send your first signature request.
Register a free developer account
Register a [free developer account](https://snseats.signnow.com/purchase/business_free_trial/loggedout?type=api) and verify your email address.
Get an active application
Once your email is verified, your API dashboard will open.
SignNow automatically creates your first application in the Development mode. You can create more applications by clicking **Add Application** on the **Apps & Keys** page.
Copy your API key
Click your application to open its details. Copy the API key from the **API Key** tab.
> Learn more about [authentication](/docs/authentication).
Calling the API
There are two ways this guide helps you send your first API requests:
- Click the **Send API Request** button in the **Try it console** below to send requests directly from this page.
- Copy the code examples in your preferred language to send requests using your own development environment or an HTTP client (like Postman or cURL). Click the arrows next to **Request Sample** to select a language and view the code.
We recommend following the instructions for each step to add the required parameters and send requests without leaving this page.
> **Note on limits**: If you have a free trial or active subscription, signature invites sent in Development mode won’t count toward your limit.
If you don’t have a free trial or active subscription, you can send up to 500 signature invites in Development mode.
Step 1. Upload a document
Upload a document to SignNow using the [Upload document from URL](/docs/document/operations/post-v2-documents-url) request.
- Paste your **API key** into the `Authorization` header after `Bearer`.
- The request body is pre-filled with a sample document URL for testing.
- Click **Send API Request**.
```json http
{
"method": "post",
"url": "https://api.signnow.com/v2/documents/url",
"headers": {
"Authorization": "Bearer {{your_api_key}}"
},
"body": {
"url": "https://www.signnow.com/whitepapers/signnow_api_test_invite.pdf"
}
}
```
> Learn about other [document uploading options](/docs/entities#step-1-upload-document).
The successful request returns the ID of the uploaded document. Copy this ID — you will need it for **Step 2**.
Step 2. Add fields to the document
Add two fields for the recipient - a **text field** and **signature field** using the [Edit document](/docs/request-payments/operations/put-document-document_id) request.
- Paste your **API key** in the `Authorization` header after `Bearer`.
- Paste the document `id` from **Step 1** response into the `document_id` field.
- Click **Send API Request**.
```json http
{
"method": "put",
"url": "https://api.signnow.com/document/{document_id}",
"headers": {
"Authorization": "Bearer {{your_api_key}}"
},
"body": {
"fields": [
{
"type": "text",
"role": "Recipient 1",
"page_number": 0,
"x": 193,
"y": 572,
"width": 132,
"height": 29,
"required": true,
"font": "Arial",
"size": 14
},
{
"type": "signature",
"role": "Recipient 1",
"page_number": 0,
"x": 193,
"y": 526,
"width": 132,
"height": 29,
"required": true,
"font": "Arial",
"size": 14
}
]
}
}
```
> Learn more about [fields](/docs/fields).
The response will return the document ID again, confirming the update.
Step 3. Send the signature invite
Send the document with fields to one signer (Recipient 1) using the [Invite to sign](/docs/document-field-invite/operations/post-field_invite) request.
- Paste your API key into the `Authorization` header after `Bearer`.
- Paste the document `id` from **Step 1** response into the `document_id` field.
- **Recipient email**: Enter a valid email address (different from the sender) in the `to`.`email` field in the request body.
- **Sender email**: Enter your developer account email address in the `from` field in the request body.
- Click **Send API Request**.
```json http
{
"method": "post",
"url": "https://api.signnow.com/document/{document_id}/invite",
"headers": {
"Authorization": "Bearer {{your_api_key}}"
},
"body": {
"to": [
{
"email": "{{recipient_email_address}}",
"role": "Recipient 1",
"reminder": 12,
"expiration_days": 30
}
],
"from": "{{your_email_address}}"
}
}
```
That's it! Your first signature invite is sent. Check the inbox of the recipient email address you entered to sign the document.
> Documents signed in Development mode will contain a watermark.
Explore advanced workflows
Now that you have sent your first invite, explore more complex scenarios:
[**Embedded signing**](/docs/guides-embedded-signing): Build a seamless signing experience directly within your website or application.
[**Embedded sending**](/docs/guides-embedded-sending): Enable users to send documents for signature directly from your application using their own custom settings.
[**Embedded editor**](/docs/guides-embedded-editor): Empower users to add fillable fields and prepare documents for sending.
[**Branding**](/docs/guides-branding): Customize the signing, sending, editing, and viewing experience, as well as email notifications, to match your company’s style.
[**Webhooks**](/docs/guides-webhooks): Receive real-time notifications for events related to documents, document groups, or users.
Go Live
You can test eSignature workflows in Development mode as long as you need.
When you are ready to launch your application in production, follow the [Go Live checklist](/docs/go-live-checklist).
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*Full page: https://docs.signnow.com/docs/get-started*