Templates and lifecycle

Reuse a template

A template combines one PDF, named signer roles, and placed fields. When creating an envelope from it, assign a real name and email address to each role, review the resulting envelope, and send it normally.

Editing a template does not rewrite envelopes already created from it. Treat the generated envelope as the record of what was actually sent.

Reminders and expiry

You can remind a pending signer manually. A reminder rotates that signer's invitation link, so only the newest invitation should be used.

The scheduler runs lifecycle work every minute. It sends reminders when due and expires envelopes that pass their deadline. Keep the scheduler attached in production; without it, these transitions do not happen on time.

Void an envelope

Void a sent envelope when nobody should sign it any longer. Record a useful reason: voiding is a deliberate terminal action and becomes part of the audit trail. A voided envelope cannot return to signing.

Purge and deletion

Purge only envelopes that are eligible under Witness's retention rules. Database state and private files are coordinated, and failed file deletion is marked for scheduler retry. If an envelope shows pending deletion, keep object storage and the scheduler healthy and let the retry path finish; do not manually remove only one side of the record.

Expiry, voiding, and purging serve different purposes. Expiry enforces a signing deadline, voiding cancels an active request, and purging removes eligible retained material. Choose the operation that matches the real event you need to record.