How to Ask Someone to Sign an NDA (3 Email Templates + Tips)
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⚡ Quick Answer
When asking someone to sign an NDA, keep your email professional, brief, and transparent. Explain the purpose of the NDA, specify what confidential information will be shared, and provide a clear deadline. Using a free electronic signature tool makes it easy for them to sign instantly without printing or scanning.
Asking someone to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) can feel uncomfortable. Whether you are hiring a freelance developer, discussing a joint venture, or pitching a product concept to a potential partner, you want to protect your intellectual property without coming across as overly aggressive or untrusting.
The secret to a successful NDA request is simple: keep it professional, explain *why* it is a standard business process, and make the signing workflow as easy as possible.
In this guide, we break down how to draft the perfect **nda signing request email**, share 3 copy-and-paste email templates, and explain how to streamline the digital signature process using client-side tools.
What to Include in an NDA Request Email
A good **how to ask someone to sign an nda email** should contain five key components:
- Clear Context: Remind the recipient of the upcoming meeting, project kickoff, or discussion topic.
- Boilerplate Explanation: Reassure them that signing the NDA is a standard administrative step required by your board, insurance, or company policy, not a personal trust issue.
- Mutual Protection: Whenever possible, use a mutual NDA. This shows that you value and protect their proprietary information as much as your own.
- Simple Instructions: Point them to exactly where they need to sign (e.g., "Page 3, Section 12").
- Zero-Friction Link: Instead of making them print, sign, scan, and email the file back, provide a link to a free browser-based tool where they can sign in seconds.
3 Copy-and-Paste NDA Request Email Templates
Select the **nda email template** below that fits your business relationship:
Template 1: Formal & B2B Corporate Request
Use this template for corporate partners, enterprise clients, or formal vendor relations:
Subject: NDA for Signature: Discussion regarding [Project Name]
Hi [Name],
I am looking forward to our upcoming meeting on [Date] to discuss the [Project Name] partnership.
As our discussion will touch on proprietary technology and trade secrets, our company policy requires a standard Non-Disclosure Agreement to be executed before we share detailed project files. I have attached the mutual NDA to this email for your review.
Could you please sign the document and return it prior to our call? You can easily sign this PDF for free in your browser using MyDigitSign if you do not have a dedicated PDF editor installed.
Please let me know if you have any questions. Looking forward to our conversation.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Company]
Template 2: Freelancer & Contractor Request
Use this slightly more casual, friendly template when onboarding external contractors or developers:
Subject: Onboarding: Boilerplate NDA for [Project Name]
Hi [Name],
Great chatting with you today! We are excited to collaborate with you on [Project Name].
Before we can share the client brief and onboarding credentials, we just need to get our standard contractor NDA signed. This is a boilerplate agreement we use with all our external team members to protect our clients' data.
I have attached the PDF. You can sign it online for free using MyDigitSign—there's no need to print or scan anything. Just drag and drop your signature and email the signed PDF back to me.
Thanks for understanding, and let me know if you have any questions!
Thanks,
[Your Name]
Template 3: Startup / Casual Request
Use this friendly template for networking chats or casual product feedback sessions:
Subject: Looking forward to our chat on [Day] (Quick NDA attached)
Hey [Name],
Really looking forward to catching up on [Day] and sharing what we've been building!
To help us speak freely about our product roadmap and unreleased features, could you please sign the attached mutual NDA? It just ensures that our brainstorming session stays confidential for both of us.
You can sign it in a few seconds in your mobile or desktop browser for free here: mydigitsign.com. Once done, just drop it back in this thread.
See you on [Day]!
Best,
[Your Name]
How to Send an NDA for Signature Electronically
When you are ready to send the document, follow these steps to ensure a smooth transaction:
- Prepare the Document: Save your NDA as a clean PDF file. PDF is the standard business format because it locks formatting and text in place.
- Set Up the Email: Copy one of the templates above, fill out the placeholder details, and attach the NDA PDF.
- Provide a Signing Tool Link: Always include a link to MyDigitSign's Free PDF Signer. This reduces transaction friction, meaning your contact will sign much faster.
For more detailed signing instructions, point your contact to our complete guide on how to sign an NDA online for free.
What to Do if Someone Refuses to Sign
Occasionally, a freelancer or business partner might hesitate to sign your NDA. Here is how to handle their concerns:
- Explain the Scope: Reassure them that the NDA only covers "Confidential Information" shared during your project. It does not stop them from working with other clients or starting their own businesses, as long as they don't use your secrets.
- Make It Mutual: If they worry that they are giving up rights, offer to make the NDA mutual. This binds both parties to confidentiality, which is a fair and equal compromise.
- Review the Term Limit: Standard NDAs usually expire after 1 to 5 years. If they object to a perpetual agreement, change the term limit to 2 years.
If someone outright refuses to sign a standard mutual NDA without a valid legal reason, it is a significant red flag. Protecting your business's core trade secrets should always take priority over a single partnership.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it rude to ask someone to sign an NDA?
No, asking for an NDA is completely standard. Framed as a standard company requirement to protect corporate and customer data, professionals will expect and respect the request.
Can an NDA be signed electronically?
Yes. Under the US ESIGN Act and European eIDAS regulations, electronic signatures on NDAs are fully legally binding and enforceable in court.
What if the person refuses to sign the NDA?
Frame it as a mutual NDA to provide equal protection. If they still refuse without legal justification, it is best to decline sharing confidential intellectual property.
How can I send an NDA for signature electronically?
Prepare the NDA as a PDF file, write a polite request using one of our templates, and include a link to MyDigitSign. The recipient can sign the PDF online for free in seconds.
Does MyDigitSign store the signed NDA?
No. MyDigitSign processes all PDF rendering and cryptographic signatures locally inside the browser. Your NDA documents are never uploaded to our servers, keeping them completely confidential.
Should I use a mutual or one-way NDA?
A mutual NDA is generally recommended because it protects both parties. It creates a balanced legal relationship and reduces negotiations and signing delays.