Counterpart
A counterpart is one of several identical copies of a contract, each signed by one or more of the parties, which together form a single agreement.
Updated October 13, 2026 · 1 min read
Why counterparts exist
When parties can't sign the same piece of paper, each signs their own copy. A counterparts clause in the contract says those separate signed copies count as one agreement. It's common in deals with people in different cities.
Counterparts and e-signatures
Electronic signing often removes the need for counterparts. Instead of separate copies, every signer signs the same document, one after another or all at once, and the result is a single PDF with every signature on it. In SignMaster, everyone in an envelope (one send to one or more signers) signs the same document, and each gets the one fully signed copy with its certificate of completion.
Many contracts keep a counterparts clause anyway, often alongside language accepting electronic signatures, for situations where a party still signs separately.
Questions? Answers.
What does executed in counterparts mean?
It means the parties signed separate, identical copies of the contract, which together count as one signed agreement because of a counterparts clause.