How to Change Signature on DocuSign Without an Account

Ah, the digital age! E-signatures have revolutionized how we handle documents, especially in real estate. As Transaction Coordinators, we live and breathe this stuff. But sometimes, signers (your clients!) might need to know how to change signature on DocuSign without account access.

Let’s face it, navigating digital platforms can be tricky, even for simple tasks like signing. When a client receives a DocuSign document, they typically don’t need a full DocuSign account to sign it. They just need to open the link provided via email. But what if they click the signature field and realize they don’t like the auto-generated signature, or perhaps they need to adopt a different style? Knowing how to guide them through changing their signature *during* the signing process, without them needing to sign up for anything, is clutch. Consider this process filed under ‘essential knowledge for smooth transactions’!

Understanding the DocuSign Signing Experience

When a non-account holder receives a DocuSign document, their experience is streamlined. They open the email, click ‘Review Document’, agree to the electronic records consent, and then they can start interacting with the fields marked for signing, initialing, dating, etc.

When they click a ‘Sign’ or ‘Initial’ field for the first time in a session, a dialog box usually appears. This box prompts them to ‘Adopt Your Signature’ or ‘Adopt Your Initials’. DocuSign typically suggests a pre-formatted signature based on their typed name, but it also offers alternatives:

• Draw: Using a mouse, stylus, or touchscreen to draw their signature.
• Type: Selecting a different font style for their typed name.
• Upload: Uploading an image file of their physical signature (less common for non-account holders initiating from the signing link).

The key here is the ‘Adopt’ step. This is where the signature is *set* for this particular document session.

Steps to Change Signature Before Adopting

If the signer clicks the signature field and the ‘Adopt Your Signature’ window pops up, but they don’t like the suggested option, they can easily change it *right there* in that window. They simply choose one of the other methods (Draw or Type) presented in the dialog box before clicking the ‘Adopt and Sign’ button.

Here’s how to explain it to a client:

1. Open the DocuSign email and click ‘Review Document’.
2. Agree to the electronic consent.
3. Navigate to the first signature field (click ‘Start’ or the ‘Sign’ field itself).
4. When the ‘Adopt Your Signature’ box appears, look at the options.
5. If you don’t like the default typed signature, click ‘Draw’ to draw your signature or ‘Type’ to choose a different font style.
6. Once you are happy with how it looks, click ‘Adopt and Sign’. This signature/initial style will then be applied whenever you click a signature or initial field in this document.

What If the Signature Was Already Adopted (But Not Finished)?

Suppose the signer clicked ‘Adopt and Sign’ quickly but then realized they wanted to change it *before finishing the entire document*. DocuSign allows signers (even without accounts) to clear their adopted signature *during* the active signing session, as long as they haven’t clicked ‘Finish’ yet.

Steps to change signature after initial adoption (before finishing):

1. While still in the document signing view (before clicking ‘Finish’).
2. Click on any signature or initial field that has been filled.
3. A small option may appear near the field, or sometimes re-clicking triggers a prompt or allows you to select the field and find an option to ‘Clear Signature’ or ‘Change Signature’. (Note: This option’s visibility can sometimes depend on the sending settings, but it’s often available before final completion.)
4. Clearing it should bring back the ‘Adopt Your Signature’ dialog box, allowing them to choose or create a new signature style.
5. Adopt the new signature. This will update all fields already filled with the previous signature style in this document session.

It’s crucial that the signer makes this change *before* clicking the final ‘Finish’ button to submit the document. Once ‘Finish’ is clicked, the document is sent, and changing the signature requires the sender to correct or resend.

TC Tips: Guiding Your Clients Through E-Signatures

As Transaction Coordinators, we are often the first line of support for clients navigating these digital documents. Here are a few tips:

• Proactive Communication: Before sending, briefly explain the e-signing process, mentioning they’ll be asked to adopt a signature and have options (type, draw).
• Be Available: Let clients know they can call you if they get stuck or have questions during signing. Sometimes just talking through the ‘Adopt Your Signature’ box helps.
• Screenshare is Your Friend: If a client is struggling, a quick screenshare session (with their permission, of course) can help you visually guide them through the steps of how to change signature on DocuSign without account woes.
• Know the Platform: Familiarize yourself with the signer’s view in DocuSign and other e-signature platforms you use regularly.
• Prepare Guides: Create simple, visual step-by-step guides (or links to official guides) for common platforms like DocuSign to share with clients.

Why Knowing This Matters for TCs

Your ability to quickly and accurately answer questions about things like how to change signature on DocuSign without account access directly impacts the transaction timeline and client experience. Delays caused by signing issues are frustrating for everyone. By being knowledgeable, you prevent hold-ups, reduce client anxiety, and demonstrate value, keeping the transaction moving smoothly towards closing. It’s all about keeping those paperwork trains running on time!

Analysis & Insights

Understanding the signer’s journey on platforms like DocuSign reveals a critical insight: the user interface is designed for simplicity, aiming to get signatures quickly. The ‘Adopt’ function is central to this. While it streamlines the process by applying one style throughout the document, it also requires the signer to make a decision upfront. Ensuring signers are aware of their options in that initial ‘Adopt’ box is key to avoiding the need to change it later. Data suggests that clear instructions provided *before* the signing process begins significantly reduce errors and incomplete documents, leading to faster turnaround times.

FAQs

Q: Do I need a DocuSign account to sign documents?
A: No, typically you do not need to create or log into a DocuSign account just to sign a document sent to you.

Q: Can I change my signature after I’ve finished signing the document?
A: Once you click ‘Finish’ and the document is sent, you cannot change your signature. The sender would need to initiate a correction or resend the document.

Q: What is the easiest way to change my signature style before finishing?
A: While still viewing the document and before clicking ‘Finish’, click on any signature field you’ve filled. If the option appears, select ‘Clear Signature’ or similar, which should allow you to re-adopt a new style.

Q: Will my changed signature update everywhere in the document?
A: Yes, if you successfully clear and re-adopt a new signature style during the same signing session (before finishing), it should update all signature and initial fields you interact with in that document.

Resources

• DocuSign Signing Guide for Recipients (PDF)
• Rebillion’s Real Estate Blog
• Learn About E-Signature Legality

Conclusion

Helping clients understand simple processes like how to change signature on DocuSign without account registration is just one piece of the puzzle in managing smooth real estate transactions. Your expertise in guiding them through the digital landscape ensures efficiency and builds trust. Stay informed and keep those files in order! For more insights on streamlining your transaction coordination workflow, keep an eye on Rebillion’s Real Estate Blog and explore the tools at Rebillion.ai.