You can set up fields to activate Conditional Fields that show additional information to the signer or request additional information from the signer. You can even activate multiple Conditional Fields that show information and ask for signer input. Now that you’ve seen how Conditional Fields work, we’ll show you how to set them up in your electronic signature envelope.

The process for enabling Conditional Fields is similar to the normal process for creating an envelope and adding fields. Create an envelope, add documents, recipients, and message information as you would normally. Add the signature tabs, initial tabs and other secure fields to your document. To enable a field as a Conditional Field, open the properties dialogue box and enter the label information. Select the field that activates this Conditional Field. In this case, we want to add a phone number field that the signer selects the enhanced support purchases checkbox. In the parent tab lists, select enhanced support checkbox and the parent value of check. This sets up the phone number field as a Conditional Field.

If you are using a drop down list to activate the Conditional Field, you go through the same process as opening the properties dialogue and selecting the parent tab and parent value. The value list shows the items in the dropdown list. One field can activate multiple Conditional Fields. This initial tab is activated by the same dropdown list as the warning field above.

With conditional fields you can create dynamic documents that allow customers to make choices that modify content and signing locations, helping to optimize the signing experience!

Want to learn how to add phone authentication to your electronic signature envelopes? DocuSign’s new Phone Authentication feature allows you to add additional level of control to document access. Phone authentication qualifies as two factor authentication backed by biometric evidence and no additional hardware or software is required.

Adding phone authentication to an envelope is similar to adding another signer authentication option to an envelope. When adding a recipient, select phone authentication from the envelope security list. The authentication steps dialogue box appears. The numbers listed here are associated with the address book entry for the recipient – select the phone number that the recipient can choose from, for use during the authentication phone call.

You can also select new number and type the phone number for the recipient. For more information about adding phone numbers please see the adding signer authentication quick start guide.

You can also allow the recipient to add their own phone number by selecting “recipient may enter a new phone number”.

If your account is configured to record and store voiceprints you can record and store voiceprints to save a recording of a recipient’s spoken name. Click “Save” to save the voice authentication settings. Complete and send your envelope normally.

When the recipient tries to access the envelope, they’re presented with a security request page and must select a phone number or type in a new number to use for authentication.

The recipient selects or enters a number and clicks “Call” to continue. After clicking call, the recipient is presented with an authentication code and the system places a call to the number. After answering the phone, the recipient is prompted to phone key pad to enter in the authentication code and speak their name, which may be saved for the sender if the option was selected when the envelope was created. After the authentication code is authenticated, the system informs the recipient to follow on screen instructions and the recipient is taken through the normal signing process.

How to Enable and Use Collaboration Tools on DocuSign’s Electronic Signature Platform

You can enable and use collaboration tools to make changes and additions to the document through DocuSign, while managing all signers’ approval initials for the changes. This feature also allows you to maintain a secure audit trial of the changes.

DocuSign provides two methods of online collaboration to make changes to a document: document markup and field markup. The document markup feature lets recipients use a markup tool to white out document text, edit text and add new text over it, or just to add new text in a blank section of a document. The field markup feature lets a sender enable certain fields so the content can be edited by recipients. All changes to a document must be initialed by the person making the changes and approved by all other recipients. Recipients who signed the document before the changes were made are given an opportunity to review and approve the changes before any document is finalized.

The collaboration tools allow documents to be edited through DocuSign, while managing approval initials from all signers for the changes and maintaining a secure audit trail of the changes. Document markup is enabled for the whole document while field markup is only enabled for secure fields. Enable document markup after adding documents and recipients as you normally would.

In the message window, select “allow signers to edit documents”. This allows all recipients to access the markup tool.

To enable field markup, open the properties dialogue box for the appropriate secure field and select the “allow all to edit”. By default, “require initial” is selected when the field is enabled for markup. This requires the signers that have already completed signing to review any changes to the field and initial the changes to complete the envelope.  For any signers who have already completed signing, you can clear the “require initial” checkbox, as they do not have to review and initial any changes.

Making Changes Using DocuSign’s Collaboration Tools

Finish sending your document and when the recipient gets the document they can make changes using the active tools.

For field markup changes, when a change is made through a field made for editing, a small tab appears adjacent to the field and an initial tab appears in the margin of the page.

For document markup changes, the recipient clicks markup document to activate the markup tool. The recipient confirms they want to make a change and the markup tool appears on the left side of the document. To add a change, drag the mark box onto the document and drop it where you want to cover or add text. Use your cursor to resize the mark up box as needed.

Add the change and initial the margin. When the document is completed, the signing request is sent via email to the next recipient. An email is also sent to the recipients that previously completed the document. All of these recipients have a chance to review the document and make their own changes. These changes and counter changes can go back and forth until all recipients agree to the changes or someone declines to sign the document. All the changes are recorded in the document history.

Take a look at the video below, which will take you through a step-by-step of using these electronic signature collaboration tools. What features would you like to see highlighted in Feature Friday?

Last week, CBS produced a news segment as part of the 50th anniversary of the copy machine (Happy Anniversary, Copier!) and discussed the security risks of using a copy machine. The hard drives of digital copiers built since 2002 contains a hard drive that stores an image of every document that has been scanned, copied, printed or faxed by the machine, including any sensitive data contained on the documents.

What if you didn’t need to fax, copy, scan documents? What if you could get documents to the right people in a fast, complete and trusted way? With DocuSign, the leading electronic signature platform, you CAN get your documents to those who need them without faxing, copying and scanning! Senders upload the documents to DocuSign’s secure platform in the cloud, where authenticated signers are invited to come view and sign the designated documents. Once the documents are signed, they can then be downloaded – there are never any email attachments!

Sending for eSignature With DocuSign

Signing a Document Using Electronic Signature From DocuSign

Committed to Availability of Our Electronic Signature Platform

We understand the importance of reliability for business critical services as a Software-as-a-Service platform provider. We have a commitment of 99.8% uptime and DocuSign provides electronic signature 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, exclusive of system upgrades and maintenance.

Ready to ditch the copier and try DocuSign? Register for a eSign demo or sign up for a free electronic signature trial today!

In broker transactions, such as those by real estate professionals, financial advisors and insurance agents, the initiator of the paperwork may not have the complete contact information for all signers, but the brokers and agents may have this information.

Normally, you need to have the contact information for all the recipients to send an envelope. By using Agent Managed Transactions, you can still complete the transaction without having all of the information.

When creating a new agent managed envelope, a broker or agent that has the contact information must be added as one of the recipients as a manager for the envelope.

There are two types of recipients that can act as a manager – an editor or an agent.

Editors

Editors must have a DocuSign account, and have the same management and access rights on the envelope as a Sender. In addition to adding contact information, an editor can make changes to the envelope.

Agents

Agents can only add contact information for other recipients. The process for creating an agent managed transaction is similar to the standard procedure for sending documents.

To Send An Agent Managed Envelope

First, create a document as you would normally, then add recipients that will act as an editor or an agent.

Once an editor or an agent is added, you are not required to enter contact information for any recipients with the same or later signing order number as the editor or agent.

However, you must enter a role for the recipients. The role can be as generic or as specific as needed and is used as a placeholder for the recipients’ contact information. Complete and send your envelope as you would normally.

Editors and Agents Managing the Envelope

When the editor or agent opens the review link, they see a message asking them to review and add information to the recipient presented at the top of the page. They can review the documents in the envelope by scrolling down through the document. Editors can edit the envelope, however, agents cannot make any changes to the envelope. Then type the email, name and optionally, add a note to the remaining recipients and send the envelope.

That’s it! I’ve included a video below that illustrates the process. If you’re in the Bay Area, connect with DocuSign at Inman Real Estate Connect next week – stop by to say hi, talk paperless processes and electronic signatures. We’re in booth #114 and we’re the ones giving away an iPad.

Recently, the National Association of Realtors Center for REALTOR® Technology wrote a blog post about using DocuSign to store and manage your documents after you get the electronic signatures you need. We wanted to share a how-to or training video that discusses managing your envelopes in the DocuSign Console!

Managing Your Envelopes in the DocuSign Console

You can check the status of an envelope that you have sent or that are in your inbox in the DocuSign console. From the DocuSign console, click the inbox or sent items folder in the navigation pane on the left side of the DocuSign console.

A list of the envelopes in the folder will be shown in the center of the console to the right of the navigation pane. The status of the envelope is shown on the first column of the list. There are four categories of envelope status: In Process, Complete, Declined, and Voided.

The list of envelopes can be sorted by clicking on the heading of a column. The default view shows all envelopes from the past 30 days. You can change the search filter for envelopes to expand or narrow the search results.

To review the history of an envelope, select an envelope by clicking on it, or by selecting the checkbox by it. Then click the history icon in the toolbar. A new browser window opens with the envelope history. From this window, you can view the certificate associated with the envelope and print the history and certificate. Just close the window when you’re done with the history.

You can correct the information in a sent envelope that has In Process status. This can be helpful if an envelope is sent to the wrong email address or there is another problem in the original envelope. After selecting the envelope you want to correct, click on the Correct icon on the toolbar. This opens the correct envelope window. You can correct the routing order, email, address or access code and / or ID Check in this window and resend the envelope. Just enter the new information, select resend, and click the save button.

If you need to make a more extensive correction, you can click on the advance button to open the envelope. Correct this envelope by following the same steps as you used to create a new envelope. When you’ve finished the corrections, send the envelope normally.

You can also clone an envelope. Cloning opens the envelope so it can be sent as a new transaction. After selecting the envelope you want to clone, click the open icon on the toolbar to view the envelope. Click the clone envelope button to open the envelope. You can change this envelope by using the same steps you used to create a new envelope. When you’ve finished with the changes, send the envelope normally.

Thanks for using DocuSign – take a look at our other videos, electronic signature tips and tricks, and eSignature tutorials!

Yesterday, we discussed how to send documents for electronic signature from zipForm 6 using templates. Today, we’ll see a video that covers how to send documents for esignature from zipForm 6 without templates!

Sending Documents for Electronic Signatures from zipForm 6 Without Templates

To send documents for eSignature from zipForm 6, make sure you have a DocuSign account and that you’ve added your DocuSign credentials to your eSignature tab in your zipForm 6 account.

Select a document in zipForm 6 and fill out the form as you normally would. Once you’ve filled out the document, you’re ready to send the document for eSignature.

From the file tab, click the menu button and select E-Signature from the list.
The E-Signature window opens. Make sure the document you want to send is checked and that DocuSign is the selection in the drop down menu. Click the “Send to DocuSign” button.

A progress bar appears and when it reaches 100%, the DocuSign console opens in a new browser window and the document you chose from zipForm 6 is loaded in an electronic envelope.

To add recipients to the document, enter email addresses and names for the people you are sending the document to. Addresses will autofill, based on those in your address book. You can click on as many recipients as you need – just click the “New Recipient” button to add more recipients. If one recipient has to sign before another, just type the order in the order field to set when the recipient receives and eSigns the document. When you’re done, click “Next.”

In the message window, enter a subject and email text for the message. Type in the subject for the email to your recipients. A subject is required, but email text is not. You can also set reminders and other options and controls, but for now, let’s continue to the next step by clicking “Next.”

You’re ready to add signature and other stick-e-tabs to the document. DocuSign tabs are used to assign signature, initial, and other data entry tasks to recipients. Before you assign a tab to a recipient, make sure the recipient is highlighted in orange.

To add tabs, grab them to the right side of the screen and drag them to the locations on your document. Signature tabs and date signed tabs are required by default and cannot be changed. Remember, you can always add yourself as a signer.

You’re now ready to do your final review – click the “Send” button. The review and send window allows you to verify your recipients and the documents in your envelope. Click the “Send” button to send your envelope. The envelope sent screen confirms your envelope has been sent!

Thanks for using DocuSign – take a look at our other videos, electronic signature tips and tricks, and eSignature tutorials!

I’ve gotten some questions lately about sending documents for electronic signature through zipForm 6. To help you with this process, take a look at the how-to video below, “How to send from zipForm 6 using templates.” I’m starting with templates, as that feature is included with DocuSign Standard.

To Send Documents for Electronic Signature from zipForm 6 Using Templates

To send documents for eSignature from zipForm 6, make sure you have a DocuSign account and that you’ve added your DocuSign credentials to your eSignature tab in your zipForm 6 account.

Select a document in zipForm 6 and fill out the form as you normally would. Once you’ve filled out the document, you’re ready to send the document for eSignature.

In the file tab, click on the menu button and select eSignature from the list. The eSignature window opens and you should make sure the document you want to send is checked, and that DocuSign is the selection in the drop down menu. Click the “Send to DocuSign” button.

A progress bar appears and when it reaches 100%, the DocuSign console opens in a new browser window and the document you chose from zipForm 6 is loaded in an electronic envelope.

From the envelope, we can easily apply a template, then add recipient information and a message.

To apply a template:

1. Click the “Documents” button. The documents window appears.
2. Click “Apply a Template” to this document and select a template. The apply template window appears.
3. Select the template you want to apply to the document.
4. Click “OK.”

You’re returned to the documents window. Click “Next” to continue.

In the recipients window, enter email addresses and names for the people you are sending the document to. Addresses will autofill, based on those in your address book. You can click on as many recipients as you need – just click the “New Recipients” button to add more recipients. If one recipient has to sign before another, just type the order in the order field to set when the recipient receives and eSigns the document. When you’re done, click “Next.”

In the message window, enter a subject and email text for the message. Type in the subject for the email to your recipients. A subject is required, but email text is not. You can also set reminders and other options and controls, but for now, let’s continue to the next step by clicking “Next.”

The template you selected earlier automatically places tabs and data fields. In some cases, you may need to modify or add more tabs or fields. Before you assign a tab to a recipient, make sure the recipient is highlighted orange. Scroll through the document to review the tab and field placements. Click the “Send” button.

The review and send window allows you to verify your recipients and the documents in your envelope. Click the “Send” button to send your envelope. The envelope sent screen confirms your envelope has been sent!

Thanks for using DocuSign – we have other videos, electronic signature tips and tricks, and eSignature tutorials – take a look!

Adding your DocuSign electronic signature credentials to your eSignature tab in zipForm 6

To send documents for electronic signatures from zipForm 6 with DocuSign, you must have a DocuSign eSignature account and add your DocuSign log in service credentials to the eSignature tab in zipForm 6.

In the main zipForm 6 screen:

• Click the “forms” tab
• Click the “tools” tab
• Click the “options” button to open the options dialog box
• Click the “E-Signature” tab
• Enter the email and password you use to log into your DocuSign account and click “Ok”

You can now send documents for electronic signature through zipForm 6 – get your documents signed, sent and returned, all without the pain, hassle and expense of faxing, driving to your clients, or overnighting documents!

Of course, DocuSign’s partnered with other real estate tools – take a look at DocuSign’s real estate partner page for a complete list of our collaborative efforts with other real estate tech tools! Have we not yet partnered with the tools you’re using? Take a look at the DocuSign Developer Center – we provide free access to our eSignature SDK and API.

For more information about signing documents sent through the DocuSign electronic signature service, take a look at these other eSignature how to tutorials.

Ken Moyle, chief legal officer of DocuSign, responds:

Under the above scenario, there is only one party electing to affix his signature electronically, and his consent is implicit in his act. The other party does not have to consent, because he is not electronically signing. Contract law still applies, and with the help of UETA, the writing requirement is still met as to the e-signing party’s participation in the formation of the contract.

If I send you an offer electronically, under contract law I have made you a bona fide offer and under ESIGN/UETA I cannot duck out of that solely because it was in electronic form. So if you accept it by printing out my offer and signing it with pen and paper, we’ve got a contract. Similarly, if you counter on paper and I accept your counter electronically by using my DocuSign signature, we have a contract.

DocuSign provides functionality that enables signers to sign on paper instead of eSign. Our Fax Back Support allows signers to print documents, wet sign and fax back or upload the signed documents into the DocuSign envelope. This process also enables you to include documents you need to have notarized in your DocuSign envelope.

DocuSign enables you to have the security of the market-leading electronic signature and online signing process with the flexibility to fit your needs – for more information, take a look at DocuSign’s electronic signature features and functionality.