Execution date
The execution date is the date a contract is signed by the last party needed to make it binding. From that moment, the contract is said to be fully executed.
Updated November 5, 2026 · 1 min read
Execution date vs effective date
The execution date records when the parties signed. The effective date is when the obligations start. They're often the same day, but not always: a lease signed on March 20 can take effect on April 1. If a contract names no effective date, it usually takes effect when it's executed.
Why it matters
Notice periods, cooling-off rights, warranty clocks and deadlines to sue can all run from the signing date, so a vague or missing date causes real arguments. When the parties sign on different days, say which date counts, usually the last signature.
In SignMaster
Add a Date signed field next to each signature. It fills in the date that person signs, so nobody can type a different one. The last signature completes the envelope, and the certificate of completion shows the completion time along with each signer's.
Questions? Answers.
What does fully executed mean?
Every party who needs to sign has signed. A fully executed contract is the final, binding version, so that's the copy to keep.