Visitor sign in sheets are usually kept in a binder at a security checkpoint so that there is a record of who is in the building. From corporate offices to schools, it is becoming a common practice to require guests to sign in before they are allowed to proceed to their appointments. In some cases, signing in requires providing information such as whom you are meeting and the make, model, and license plate number on your car.

Some offices even require that this information be transferred to a visitor pass. Depending on the level of security, you will either have to present the pass upon entering and exiting the building or display it at all times. If you are already running late for your appointment, the time needed for a receptionist or security officer to copy the same information from the sign in sheet to the visitor pass can feel like an eternity.

Alternatives to Ordinary Sign-in Sheets

Rather than taking up more of your visitors' time, you might consider purchasing visitor sign-in sheets and passes that offer an integrated solution. The information that is written on the sign-in sheets is automatically copied onto the passes that are underneath. You need simply remove the pass and present it to the visitor rather than meticulously spelling her name and checking whom she is visiting.

If you prefer an electronic solution, specialized software packages are available that allow you to log in visitors directly into a spreadsheet or database. These packages can then print out a tag with the visitor's information. Though they are more costly than using paper sign-in sheets, if you receive a large number of visitors throughout the day, this may ultimately be a more efficient solution.