Docs / Getting Started

Getting Started

Welcome to SAR Portal! This guide walks you through everything you need to go from signup to processing your first real DSAR request.

Open SAR Portal App →

Your First 30 Minutes

1Sign Up
→
2Setup
→
3Configure
→
4Test
→
5Go Live
Step Time What You’ll Do
1 2 min Accept your invitation
2 3 min Set up your organization
3 5 min Configure your public portal
4 2 min Set up notifications
5 5 min Create a test case
6 3 min Go live

Step 1: Accept Invitation

When you register on sarportal.com, you’ll receive an email invitation.

What to Expect

  1. Check your inbox for an email from SAR Portal
  2. Click the activation link in the email
  3. Verify your email with the one-time code sent to you
  4. Log in to the app

Go to Login →

Link Expired?
Invitation links expire after 7 days. If yours has expired, contact support@sarportal.com for a new invitation.

After Logging In

You’ll see your Dashboard - the command center for all your DSAR activities:

The Dashboard shows your cases, usage, and key metrics at a glance
The Dashboard shows your cases, usage, and key metrics at a glance The Dashboard shows your cases, usage, and key metrics at a glance

Step 2: Organization Setup

Before accepting requests, configure your organization details.

Sidebar → Settings → Organization

Open Settings →

What to Configure

Organization Settings - Configure your company details
Organization Settings - Configure your company details Organization Settings - Configure your company details
Field What to Enter Why It Matters
Legal Name Your registered company name Appears on official communications
Address Business address Required for compliance documentation
Country Your country Determines VAT and legal requirements

Step 3: Public Portal

Your public portal is where data subjects submit requests. This is the link you’ll add to your privacy policy.

Sidebar → Settings → Integrations

Open Portal Settings →

Configure Your Portal

Settings - Branding & Portal
Your Portal URL Copy Link
https://app.sarportal.com/public/submit/your-org-id
Drag & drop your logo or click to upload
PNG or JPG, max 2MB

Add this to your privacy policy or contact page:

<a href="https://app.sarportal.com/public/submit/YOUR-ORG-ID">
  Submit a Data Request
</a>

Example text for your privacy policy:

“To exercise your data protection rights (access, deletion, correction), please visit our Data Request Portal.”

Step 4: Email Branding (Optional)

Customize how automated emails look when sent to data subjects.

Sidebar → Settings → Notifications

Open Email Settings →

What You Can Configure

The Notifications section lets you brand your automated emails:

Settings - Email Templates
Send Test Email
Automatic Notifications
All email notifications are sent automatically when events occur (new case, status change, etc.). You don't need to configure which notifications are sent - SAR Portal handles this automatically to ensure you never miss important alerts.

Step 5: Create Test Case

Practice with a test case before going live.

Sidebar → Cases → Create New Case

Create New Case →

Fill in the Form

Create a new case with subject details and request type
Create a new case with subject details and request type Create a new case with subject details and request type

Test the Workflow

After creating your test case:

  1. Open the case - Click on it in the Cases list
  2. Upload a document - Try uploading a sample PDF
  3. Run AI Analysis - Click “Analyze for PII” (Starter/Pro plans)
  4. Change status - Move it through the workflow
  5. Close the case - Select “Completed - Fulfilled”

View All Cases →

Case Statuses Explained

Open In Progress Verified Closed
Status Meaning Next Action
Open New request, not started Begin gathering data
In Progress Work has begun Continue processing
Verified Identity confirmed Safe to share personal data
Closed Complete No action needed

Step 6: Go Live

You’re ready to accept real requests!

Pre-Launch Checklist

⚙️ Settings 📋 Cases 👥 Users 💳 Billing

What Happens When Requests Arrive

From Your Public Portal

When someone submits through your portal:

  1. Case is automatically created
  2. You receive an email notification
  3. Subject’s email is already verified
  4. Case appears in your Cases list with status “Open”

View Cases →

Via Email, Letter, or Phone

For requests received outside the portal:

  1. Create a case manually in SAR Portal
  2. Enter the subject’s details
  3. Upload any documents received
  4. Process as normal
Important: The 30-Day Clock
The GDPR 30-day deadline starts when you receive the request, not when you log it. Create cases promptly!

Next Steps

Invite Your Team

👥 Manage Users →

  1. Go to Users in the sidebar
  2. Click Invite User
  3. Enter their email and select a role
  4. They’ll receive an invitation email

Explore Features

AI Redaction Audit Logs Deadlines User Roles

Get Help

Common Questions

Q: How do I know if my portal is working? A: Open your portal URL in a private browser and submit a test request using a different email.

Q: What if I get a request before I’m fully set up? A: Create a manual case immediately. The 30-day clock starts when you receive the request.

Q: Can I customize what request types my portal accepts? A: Yes, in Settings > Branding & Portal.

Q: How do I handle requests for people not in our systems? A: Create the case, document your search, close with “Completed - No Data Found.”

Q: What if I need more than 30 days? A: You can extend complex cases to 90 days. Document why the extension is needed.

View All FAQs →