It is a requirement of research to return a copy of the consent form that a participant signed. When using REDCap for e-consent, it is up to the study team to determine if they want to use the tools in REDCap to return a PDF copy of the e-consent survey to the participant, or if they want to use methods outside of REDCap to handle returning a copy of the consent form to the participant. For teams electing to use the tools in REDCap, there are two options detailed below, which will generate a PDF of the participant's signed and submitted e-consent survey.

Who this guidance applies to

Study teams with REDCap projects including an Information Sheet & Authorization or Research Consent & Authorization, where the participant's written signature has been transformed into the participant entering their first and last name and completing the certification page.

How to Return a PDF Copy of the Signed E-Consent

Option 1: Participant downloads a PDF copy of the e-consent they submitted

Survey Settings

What the participant sees

  • Under Survey Customizations

  • Allow participants to download a PDF of their responses at the end of the survey = Yes



  • Under Survey Termination Options
  • Auto-Continue = unchecked

  • If the participant does not immediately move on to another survey, they will see Survey Completion text and the download button.



  • If the participant should move on to another survey after completing the e-consent survey, see the below section, Technical Considerations for Connecting Surveys.

Option 2: REDCap emails participant a PDF copy of the e-consent they submitted

Survey Settings

What the participant sees

  • Under Survey Termination Options
  • Send Confirmation Email = yes
  • Include PDF of completed survey as attachment = checked



What the participant sees next depends on if their email address has already been collected in the REDCap project:

  • #2a: Participant email already collected in project
    • The participant automatically receives an email with the PDF of the completed consent form attached upon completing the e-consent survey.
  • #2b: Participant email not already collected in project
    • Participant has the option of entering an email address at which to receive a copy of their consent form


  • If the participant should move on to another survey after completing e-consent, see the below section, Technical Considerations for Connecting Surveys.

Technical Considerations for Connecting Surveys

If the participant should move on to another survey immediately after completing e-consent, there must be a pause in the flow of surveys to allow the participant to see either the download button (Option #1 above) or to enter their email address if their email is not already collected in the project (Option #2 above). A pause in the flow of surveys can only be affected by connecting the e-consent survey to the next survey via the Survey Queue, and unchecking the Auto Start box (see screenshot below). It is not possible to pause surveys when using the Auto-Continue option in Survey Settings.