If you work with couples, business partners, or co-founders, you've probably run into a situation where both parties need to sign the contract before you can move forward. But if you use Dubsado, you may have noticed the platform only supports one contract and one signer per project.
So what do you do when two people need to put their names on the dotted line?
The good news is there's a simple workaround built right into Dubsado's form tools. In this post, we're covering whether two people can legally sign one agreement this way, what contract language to include to make it hold up, and exactly how to set it up inside your Dubsado account step by step.
How Do You Get Two Clients to Sign a Contract in Dubsado?
Dubsado contracts only support a single signer per project, so the accepted workaround is to duplicate your contract template, convert the copy into a sub-agreement, and send it to the second client. Each client signs their own copy of the same agreement, which is a standard legal practice called signing in counterparts. To make this enforceable, the contract should include a counterparts clause stating that all signed copies together form one binding agreement, and the terms across both copies must remain identical.
Is It Legal for Two Clients to Sign One Contract?
The short answer is yes! In most cases anyway. Needing two people to sign one contract is very common and there are plenty of situations where you'd want one contract covering two people instead of two separate ones, including:
- Couples booking a shared service, such as a wedding photographer, a couples therapist, or a joint financial planning session
- Business partners or co-founders signing off on the same project, like a website build or a branding package for their shared company
- Family members splitting a service, such as two siblings hiring an estate planner together
In all of these cases, the two people aren't just individually interested in your services. They're entering into the agreement together, as one party, and that distinction matters.
If you sent two completely separate contracts instead, you could end up with two standalone agreements that don't actually reference each other, which can create a few problems:
- Unclear liability: If only one contract mentions payment terms or deliverables, it may be harder to determine who is actually responsible if something goes wrong or a payment is missed.
- Inconsistent terms: Two separately managed contracts are easier to accidentally edit out of sync with each other, especially if you update pricing or scope down the road.
- A weaker paper trail: If a dispute ever came up, having one unified agreement (even if delivered as two signed copies) generally makes it clearer that both parties agreed to the exact same terms, together, at the same time.
So while sending two totally unrelated contracts is technically possible, having both people sign copies of the same agreement is typically the cleaner, more defensible approach.
How Dubsado Handles Multi-Signer Contracts
Dubsado contracts only support a single signer per project. There's no built-in field where two separate clients each add their own legally binding signature to the exact same document.
If you try to add two signature fields to one contract, the second one is meant for you (the business owner) to countersign, not for a second client.
So instead, the accepted workaround is to duplicate your contract and convert the copy into a sub-agreement, which then gets sent to the second client.
In practice, this means each client is signing their own copy of the same agreement, rather than both signatures landing on one shared document.
Why Signing in Counterparts Is Legally Recognized
In the legal world, this practice is called signing in "counterparts," and it's standard in traditional contract execution. Think of two people in different cities each signing their own copy and mailing it back. As long as both copies contain identical terms, most jurisdictions generally treat them as one binding agreement between all parties.
There are a few things you'll want to do to strengthen enforceability, though:
Add a Counterparts Clause to Your Contract
A counterparts clause explicitly tells both clients (and a court, if it ever came to that) that the two signed copies are meant to form a single agreement. Here's a sample clause you can add to your template:
"This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Electronic signatures shall be deemed equivalent to original signatures for all purposes."
Clarify Liability Between the Two Clients
If you want both people equally responsible for payment or contract terms (rather than just one client on the hook), consider adding joint and several liability language. This means you could pursue either party individually for the full amount owed if needed. Here's an example:
"All parties signing this Agreement shall be jointly and severally liable for all obligations arising under this Agreement."
Whether you need this clause depends on the nature of the engagement. For many service providers, it adds a meaningful layer of protection when working with two decision-makers on the same project.
Keep the Terms Identical Across Both Copies
Since the second signer's copy is technically a separate document in Dubsado, any manual edits between the two versions could create confusion (or a potential legal gap) about what was actually agreed to. Be sure to keep the terms exactly the same across both copies.
One important note: This is general information, not legal advice. Contract enforceability can vary by state, country, and industry, so if this is a high-stakes agreement (large sums, long-term partnerships, etc.), it's worth having a local attorney review your contract language, even if you reuse the same template moving forward.
Step-by-Step: How to Have Two Clients Sign a Contract in Dubsado
Here's exactly how to set this up inside Dubsado so both clients receive and sign their own copy of the agreement:
Step 1: Duplicate Your Existing Contract Template
- Go to Templates → Forms.
- Find the contract you already use and click the duplicate icon.
- A copy of your contract will appear in your templates list.
Step 2: Convert the Copy into a Sub-Agreement
- Drag the duplicated contract into the Sub-Agreements column.
- This converts the form type from "contract" to "sub-agreement" – the content stays exactly the same, only the form type changes.
- Rename it something clear, like "[Service] Contract - Client 2," so you don't mix it up later.
Step 3: Add Both Forms to the Client's Project
- Go to Projects and open the shared project both clients are attached to.
- On the Forms tab, add your original contract as usual. This goes to your primary client.
- Still on the Forms tab, use the Add new form dropdown to select the sub-agreement you just created.
- Click Add in the preview popup.
Step 4: Send Each Document to the Correct Client
- With the sub-agreement added, click Send in the same popup.
- A draft email will appear with the sub-agreement link. Edit the email as needed.
- Send this one specifically to your second client's email address. Since Dubsado's automations default to your primary contact, double-check the recipient manually.
- Repeat the send step for the original contract to your primary client, if you haven't already.
Step 5: Track Both Signatures in One Place
- Once both clients complete their forms, you'll be able to see both signed documents in the project's Forms tab.
- Nothing else changes about how you manage the project going forward. You'll just have two signed records instead of one.
Quick Reference: Dubsado Two-Signer Contract Setup
| Step | What to Do | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Duplicate the template | Copy your existing contract in Templates > Forms | Creates an identical copy with matching terms |
| 2. Change form type | Convert the copy to a Sub-Agreement | Dubsado only allows one contract per project |
| 3. Add to project | Add both forms from the project's Forms tab | Keeps both documents in one place |
| 4. Send to each client | Manually set the recipient for the sub-agreement | Dubsado defaults to primary contact |
| 5. Track signatures | Check the Forms tab for both signed records | Both documents stay in the same project |
Contract Clauses to Add Before You Send
Before you use this workflow for the first time, make sure your contract template includes these clauses. You only need to add them once, and they'll carry over every time you duplicate the template for a second signer.
| Clause | What It Does | When You Need It |
|---|---|---|
| Counterparts clause | States that separately signed copies form one agreement | Every time you use the two-signer workaround |
| Joint and several liability | Makes both clients equally responsible for all obligations | When both clients share payment or performance responsibility |
| Electronic signature clause | Confirms that digital signatures carry the same weight as handwritten ones | Recommended for any electronically signed agreement |
Dubsado-Friendly Contract Templates for Online Business Owners
Dubsado wasn't built with multi-signer contracts in mind, but the sub-agreement workaround gives you a workable path to getting both clients signed without extra software or manual paperwork.
All you need to do is add a counterparts clause (and any other relevant clauses) to your contract template once, and you can reuse this process any time you're working with two decision-makers on the same project.
Browse the TBL Contract Template Shop and grab the one(s) built for your specific business, customize it in minutes, and get it into Dubsado using this step-by-step guide.
FAQs About Getting Two Clients to Sign a Contract in Dubsado
Can I add two signature fields to one Dubsado contract for two different clients?
No. Dubsado contracts only support one client signature per contract. If you add a second signature field, it's designated for the business owner to countersign, not for a second client. To get two clients to sign, duplicate your contract and convert the copy into a sub-agreement.
Is signing in counterparts legally enforceable?
Generally, yes. Signing in counterparts is a widely recognized legal practice. As long as both copies contain identical terms and your contract includes a counterparts clause, most jurisdictions treat the separately signed copies as one binding agreement. However, enforceability can depend on your specific jurisdiction and the nature of the agreement.
Do I need a counterparts clause if I use Dubsado's sub-agreement workaround?
It's strongly recommended. A counterparts clause makes it explicit that both signed copies are intended to form a single agreement. Without one, you may still have a valid arrangement, but the clause removes ambiguity and strengthens your position if a dispute ever arose.
What's the difference between a contract and a sub-agreement in Dubsado?
Both are legally binding forms with e-signature support. The main difference is structural: each Dubsado project can only have one contract, but you can add multiple sub-agreements. The content, signature fields, and legal weight are the same for both form types.
Should I add joint and several liability language when working with two clients?
It depends on the engagement. If both clients are equally responsible for payment and performance (like co-founders hiring you for a shared project), joint and several liability language can protect you by allowing you to pursue either party for the full amount owed. For situations where one person is clearly the primary decision-maker and the other is simply acknowledging the terms, it may not be necessary. When in doubt, consult with a local attorney.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR, AMBER GILORMO – ATTORNEY AND FOUNDER OF THE BOUTIQUE LAWYER
Amber Gilormo is the cool lawyer behind The Boutique Lawyer – a one-stop contract template shop for creative entrepreneurs, online business owners, coaches, and service providers.
From client agreements to digital product terms and everything in between, our lawyer-drafted templates take the guesswork out of staying legally protected online (no legal jargon required).
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