📄 Setup DocuSeal — Self-Hosted Document Signing
Deploy an open-source DocuSign alternative for e-signatures, PDF form creation, and document workflows on your own server.
📦 Resources & Setup Scripts
Grab the automated bash script from GitHub to follow along with the video.
Quick Install:
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mhmdali94/Docker/main/tools/docuseal/docuseal-ubuntu.sh
chmod +x docuseal-ubuntu.sh
sudo bash docuseal-ubuntu.shTutorial Steps
1 Download & Run the Installer
The script installs Docker if needed, pulls the DocuSeal image, and starts the container. DocuSeal will be available on port 3000 with persistent storage for your documents and signatures.
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mhmdali94/Docker/main/tools/docuseal/docuseal-ubuntu.sh
chmod +x docuseal-ubuntu.sh
sudo bash docuseal-ubuntu.sh2 Access the Web UI
Open your browser and navigate to DocuSeal:
http://<your-server-ip>:30003 Create Admin & First Template
Complete the initial setup by creating your administrator account. Then upload a PDF document, place signature fields, text inputs, dates, and checkboxes anywhere on the document to create a reusable signing template.
http://<your-server-ip>:3000/users/sign_up4 Send for Signing
Create a new submission from your template, add signer email addresses and roles, then send signing invitations. Signers receive a unique link and can sign from any device — no account required. You receive a completed PDF once all parties have signed.
Ports Used
| Port | Purpose |
|---|---|
| 3000 | DocuSeal Web UI |
| 3001 | Internal API |
Overview
DocuSeal is an open-source document signing platform that lets you create fillable PDF forms, collect legally binding e-signatures, and manage signing workflows. It supports multi-party signing, email notifications, and audit trails — all hosted on your own infrastructure.
Why Use It
Self-hosting DocuSeal gives you full control over sensitive legal documents without relying on third-party SaaS like DocuSign or HelloSign. There are no per-document fees, no data leaving your servers, and you can integrate it directly with your internal tools via API.
When You Need It
Who Should Use It
Real Use Cases
Main Features
How to Use After Installation
Security Best Practices
Ports and Firewall Notes
DocuSeal listens on port 3000 by default. Open this port in your firewall only if direct access is needed; otherwise place it behind a reverse proxy on port 443. Block direct internet access to the container port for production deployments.
Backup and Maintenance
Common Mistakes
Troubleshooting
Alternatives
Alternatives include DocuSign and HelloSign (hosted, per-document pricing), OpenSign (another open-source option), and Adobe Acrobat Sign (enterprise). Choose DocuSeal when you need on-premises control with no usage fees.
When Not to Use It
Avoid DocuSeal if you need advanced workflow automation with many integration points or if your legal jurisdiction requires a qualified electronic signature provider certified under eIDAS.
PrismaTechWork Professional Help
PrismaTechWork provides end-to-end infrastructure services — from initial deployment and security hardening to ongoing monitoring, automated backups, and dedicated support. Whether you need a single-server setup or a multi-site network, our team ensures your infrastructure is built right, secured properly, and maintained reliably.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DocuSeal legally binding?
DocuSeal produces e-signatures that are legally binding in most jurisdictions under laws like ESIGN (USA) and eIDAS (EU) for simple and advanced electronic signatures. It generates an audit trail and signing certificate for each document. Always consult a legal professional for jurisdiction-specific requirements.
Can multiple people sign the same document?
Yes. DocuSeal supports multi-party signing with configurable signing order — you can require sequential signing where Person A must sign before Person B is notified, or parallel signing where all parties are invited simultaneously.
What database does DocuSeal use?
DocuSeal uses SQLite by default for simple deployments. For production with higher load, you can configure it to use PostgreSQL by setting the DATABASE_URL environment variable before first launch.
Can I use DocuSeal via API?
Yes. DocuSeal provides a REST API that lets you programmatically create submission requests, pre-fill template fields, retrieve completed documents, and receive webhook notifications when signing is complete. API tokens are generated from the admin panel.
How do I add my own PDF templates?
Upload any PDF through the DocuSeal admin interface, then use the visual editor to drag and drop signature, initials, date, text, and checkbox fields onto the document pages. Save the template and it becomes available for sending to signers.
Does DocuSeal send automatic reminder emails?
Yes, DocuSeal can send reminder emails to signers who have not completed their signature after a configurable period. This requires SMTP to be configured in the admin settings.
Can I white-label DocuSeal for clients?
Yes. DocuSeal supports custom branding — you can upload your logo, set a custom color scheme, and configure a custom domain so the signing experience appears under your own brand rather than DocuSeal.
How do I upgrade DocuSeal?
Pull the latest Docker image with docker pull docuseal/docuseal:latest, stop and remove the current container, then start a new container with the same volumes and environment variables. Always back up your database before upgrading.