Configure a default deadline for signing requests so links automatically expire and requests close after the specified period.

## Prerequisites

- A DocuSeal account
- At least one template created

## Steps

### Step 1: Open template preferences

Navigate to your template. Click the **Preferences** button (gear icon) in the top-right area of the template page.

![Open template preferences](https://docuseal.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6OTY1LCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--07965a5c6c314607e821e2ffc1f8d3cfe0828aa6/step_0.png)

### Step 2: Set the default expiration

In the Preferences modal under the **General** tab, find the **Default expiration** dropdown. Select a duration: **1 day** through **3 months**, or choose **Specified date** to pick an exact date and time. The setting auto-saves on selection.

![Set the default expiration](https://docuseal.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6OTY2LCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--3e2c0261cce1de0e09e69a1006b624b2807ef94e/step_1.png)

### Step 3: Verify expiration on new submissions

Send a new signing request from this template. On the submission detail page, the signer panel displays the expiration date next to a clock icon (e.g., "Expire on Apr 3, 2026"). After expiry, the status changes to **Expired** and the signing link shows a "form expired" message.

![Verify expiration on new submissions](https://docuseal.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6OTY3LCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--7ecedc249d20e442e3a33b2a193fa4c8210f3b1a/step_2.png)

### Step 4: Remove or change the expiration

Reopen **Preferences** for the template. Change the **Default expiration** dropdown to **None** to disable, or select a different duration. Future submissions use the updated setting.

## Tips

- Expiration applies only to new submissions created after the setting is changed. Existing submissions keep their original deadline.
- When using the API, pass the `expire_at` parameter on submission creation to override the template default.
- Expired submissions appear under the **Expired** status filter on the template submissions page.
- Choose **Specified date** to set a fixed calendar deadline instead of a rolling duration.

## Summary

Open template Preferences, select a duration or specific date under Default expiration, and all future signing requests from that template will auto-expire on schedule.