Are you trying to get someone to sign and return a document to you?
However, you’re a bit worried that “please sign and return” isn’t the most polite choice, right?
Luckily, we’re here to help answer that for you.
This article will show you how to say “please sign and return” in an email to be as respectful as possible.
Is It Polite to Say “Please Sign and Return”?
It is polite to say “please sign and return.” It’s professional and lets someone know that you’d like their attention on a document as soon as possible.
From there, they should also sign the document. This will let you know they agree to its contents and see nothing wrong with it.
You can also review this sample email to learn more about how it works:
Dear Miss Clark,
I have sent the document for your perusal as soon as you get the chance.
Please sign and return to show me that you understand the next steps.
Yours,
Duncan Bennett
Pros
- It’s a polite request that asks for someone’s signature.
- It’s direct and reminds someone to read and review something quickly.
Cons
- It’s a bit forceful and demanding.
- It’s repetitive.
Clearly, “please sign and return” is a great phrase to use in formal writing. But that doesn’t mean it’s the only acceptable one. Now, it’s time to explore some alternatives.
Keep reading to learn how to politely ask someone to sign a document. We’ve gathered some of the best synonyms to help you in this scenario.
What to Say Instead of “Please Sign and Return”
- Please sign the enclosed document at your earliest convenience
- Sign the document and send it back to me
- Your prompt attention to signing and returning this is appreciated
- Kindly sign the document and return it
- I request your signature on the attached document
- Please find the document attached for your signature
- Please return this once signed as quickly as possible
- I’d appreciate this returned at your earliest convenience
- Could you sign this and send it back when possible
1. Please Sign the Enclosed Document at Your Earliest Convenience
Another way to say “please sign and return” is “please sign the enclosed document at your earliest convenience.”
Sure, it’s wordier than the original phrase. But sometimes, this is helpful. After all, it leaves no room for doubt when sending an email. It’s clear and to the point.
You can use this to ask your boss to sign a document. It shows you’ve got something that requires their attention, and you’d appreciate it if they could sign it quickly and get it back to you.
Feel free to review this sample email to learn a bit more about it:
Dear Ms. Abbott,
Please sign the enclosed document at your earliest convenience.
I need your go-ahead before I can continue working on this project.
All the best,
Sarah Bakewell
2. Sign the Document and Send It Back to Me
Next, you can write “sign the document and send it back to me.” This is a polite way to ask for a signature in most professional cases.
Feel free to use it when writing to a client. It shows you require a signature from them, so you’d appreciate it if they could get on that as quickly as possible.
Generally, this is an encouraging phrase that hurries the recipient along. Once they know you need something sent back to you, they should be more likely to respond.
So, you can check out the following email example to learn a bit more about it:
Dear Miss Whitehead,
Please sign the document and send it back to me when possible.
I’d like to know whether you agree with the content we’ve laid out.
Yours,
Jade Le Billon
3. Your Prompt Attention to Signing and Returning This Is Appreciated
You can also write “your prompt attention to signing and returning this is appreciated.”
Generally, this is a professional phrase that works when asking for a signature. It’s demanding and sincere, so it lets recipients know that you don’t have much time to wait for them.
You can use this when writing to an employee. It shows you need a signature to let you know they’ve read through something you’ve sent them.
Most of the time, this will be all the encouragement someone needs. They should read through your document quickly and get back to you as soon as they see this in an email.
If you’re still unsure, check out the following example:
Dear Harold,
Your prompt attention to signing and returning this is appreciated.
I look forward to seeing what you say about the situation we’re in.
Kind regards,
Jackie Hang
4. Kindly Sign the Document and Return It
Another great synonym to include in your writing is “kindly sign the document and return it.”
Of course, this is a respectful option. It shows you’re happy to hear from someone as soon as they’ve read through something and signed it to show they agree.
For the most part, this is a direct and to-the-point choice. Recipients will be happy to send a document back to you quickly when they know a signature is required or it’s time-sensitive.
So, you can check out the following example to learn a bit more about it:
Dear Mr. Long,
Kindly sign the document and return it at your earliest convenience.
I’m keen to move forward with this, but I need you to agree on a few things first.
Best,
Maxwell Ridgely
5. I Request Your Signature on the Attached Document
You can also write “I request your signature on the attached document” instead of “please sign and return.”
This phrase works really well as a professional and respectful option.
After all, it shows that you’d like someone’s signature on something. It’s polite and direct, showing that you need it as quickly as possible.
Use it when writing to a business partner. It lets them know you’re happy to work alongside them, but you need their cooperation before moving forward.
Also, this email sample should help you to understand more about it:
Dear Mr. Parkinson,
I request your signature on the attached document, please.
Also, if you’d like to know anything else about the project, please let me know.
Yours,
Jonathan Moore
6. Please Find the Document Attached for Your Signature
Feel free to write “please find the document attached for your signature.” This is a formal and polite way to draw someone’s attention to a document that requires them to sign it.
Try using it when contacting your boss. It shows you need their signature, but it doesn’t do it in a way that can be construed as overly bossy or obnoxious.
For the most part, it’s an encouraging phrase. You can use it when you need a signature, but there isn’t a direct timeframe for when it’s required.
Here’s a great example to help you if you’re still unsure:
Dear Mr. Smythe,
Please find the document attached for your signature.
I’d appreciate it if you could get this back to me as soon as possible.
Thank you so much,
Ben Rogers
7. Please Return This Once Signed as Quickly as Possible
Next, we think it’s smart to try “please return this once signed as quickly as possible.”
Including “as quickly as possible” puts time pressure on this phrase. So, it works particularly well when you don’t have long before a file needs to be returned to you.
Try using it when confirming business plans with a business partner. It shows that the plans are time-sensitive, so you need to hear back from them quickly to check whether they’re on board.
Here is a great example to help you understand more about it:
Dear Miss Walker,
Please return this once signed as quickly as possible.
It’s important that we’re on the same page, and your signature will help with that.
Best wishes,
Tommy Lochrane
8. I’d Appreciate This Returned at Your Earliest Convenience
We also recommend saying “I’d appreciate this returned at your earliest convenience.”
This is a professional phrase that works well when contacting employees.
Technically, the phrase is quite bossy. It shows that you need someone to sign and return something as quickly as possible, so you want them to do it as soon as they have free time.
However, it’s also an encouraging and polite choice. Even though you’re asking an employee to do something, it goes about it in a positive way.
Here’s a great sample email to help you understand it:
Dear Greta,
I’d appreciate this returned at your earliest convenience.
I’ll need it by the end of the day at the very latest.
All the best,
Chloe Swanson
9. Could You Sign This and Send It Back When Possible
Finally, it’s worth writing “could you sign this and send it back when possible.” This is a formal synonym for “please sign and return” that shows you’re keen to receive a signature.
Also, including “when possible” helps to keep things polite and non-demanding. It shows you’re happy to wait for someone to be free before they sign a document.
So, you can use it when writing to a client. It shows you’d appreciate their input, but you also understand if they need to take some time before signing anything.
Also, here’s a great sample email to help you:
Dear Ms. Heath,
Could you sign this and send it back when possible?
We need to get all clients on board with this project before we advance.
All the best,
Gabby Bangert