How To Change a Signature in DocuSign

DocuSign is arguably the world’s leading cloud service provider for electronic signatures and agreements. But while it can streamline workflows, transactions, and document exchanges, DocuSign isn’t perfect.

One of the main issues users may encounter involves correcting mistakes in a signature. The process itself is pretty straightforward. However, there are many instances when it may not work due to various factors.

This article will go over the signature adoption and modification processes in envelopes, the account profile, and the reasons why DocuSign won’t let you change your signature.

Change the Account Signature in DocuSign

One of the fastest ways to change the signature in DocuSign is by taking an account-wide approach. Here’s how you can manage your profile to change, remove, or add signatures:

1. Log into your DocuSign account.
   
2. Click on the user icon.
   
3. Select “Manage Profile.”
   
4. Click “Signatures.”
   
5. Select “Change,” “Delete,” or “Add New” to modify your account signatures.
   

Remember that you can adjust the style and draw of a signature before uploading it to your account.

Adopt a New Signature in DocuSign

You can always adopt a new signature if you want to change the signature when signing a document. Although it’s a lengthy process, it’s pretty straightforward for most users.

Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Use DocuSign to go to the desired document.
   
2. Tick the “Electronic Records and Signature Disclosure” box.
3. Hit “Continue” to open the document.
   
4. Press “Start” to move to the first signature field.
   
5. Click on the “Required – Sign Here” field to open the “Adopt your Signature” box.
   
6. Make your changes.
7. Click the “Adopt and Sign” button.
   
8. Hit “Finish.”
   

You have four options when changing and adopting a signature.

First, you can change the style to adjust the appearance of the initials and signature as a whole. Secondly, you can opt to draw a new signature to use in your document.

The “Use Signature Pad” is another solid option.

You can capture a signature in real time from a signature pad. But not everyone has a signature pad or drawing skills.

If that’s you, there’s an alternative. The “Upload” option lets you upload a signature image file. Just remember to confirm your full name and initials in their respective fields before adopting a new signature and signing the file.

How to Modify Envelopes in DocuSign

The document signature might not be the only element that needs a correction or two. The good news is that you can correct envelopes in DocuSign. However, you can’t do it if the envelope has already been completed.

If you find an envelope with mistakes with a “waiting for others” status, here’s what you need to do to make corrections.

1. Log into your DocuSign Account.
   
2. Navigate to the “Envelopes” tab.
   
3. Click an envelope marked as “waiting for others” and press “Correct.”
   
4. Edit the envelope to correct the mistakes and Click the “Send” button to confirm the corrections.
   

When editing an envelope, you can correct multiple fields, such as:

• The uploaded documents
• The recipient information
• The envelope name
• The email message for the recipients
• The signing field

You can also add more recipients to the envelope by clicking the “Add Recipient” button.

Reasons You Can’t Change the Signature in DocuSign

Just because you can change the signature in DocuSign doesn’t mean you can always do it. Some scenarios prevent users from changing the signature.

Locked Recipient Names

Senders have the option to lock recipient names in DocuSign. When they do that, you can’t change the signature at will. It’s best to check with the account administrator to find out if this is the issue.

Sometimes it’s not possible to get past locked recipient names to change your signature, especially when there are multiple recipients. In that case, it’s best to void an envelope, change the signature, and create a new envelope.

Using the Mobile App

If you use DocuSign for Android and iOS, you will find that the mobile apps have limited functionality. Despite DocuSign’s compatibility with iPads, iPhones, Android phones, and Windows devices, you can’t change the signature on the fly.

Only the desktop version of DocuSign allows users to add a new signature. Switch to the desktop version and see if the problem persists. If not, use the standard process to edit or adopt a new signature. The modifications will sync across your devices, and you will be able to use the new signature from your DocuSign mobile app.

You’re the Only Signer

Sometimes you may want to add a saved signature in DocuSign. Unfortunately, this won’t work by default if you’re the only signer.

To work around this, you must send yourself a new envelope first and make yourself the sole recipient. This applies to your default signature. However, you’ll have the choice to select a different saved DocuSign signature.

Inactive Account

Users without active DocuSign accounts can’t change the selected signature. Make sure your account is active before changing the signature. If your account is active, you might be experiencing a different issue.

Other signature change problems may include the following:

• The file contains Universal Signatures like those in Sign Part 11 Module Enabled docs.
• Your document was already signed and returned.
• You used in-person signing.

The Full Name Already Has a Signature

DocuSign only allows one signature for each full name. To change the adopted signature for a full name with a preexisting signature, you must delete the old signature and create a new one from scratch.

If that’s the case, the process is fairly simple. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Log into your DocuSign account.
   
2. Click the user icon.
   
3. Select “Manage Profile.”
   
4. Click “Signatures.”
   
5. Go to “Delete” and remove a signature from your account.
   
6. Hit the “Add New” button to create a new signature for a certain full name.
   

Why Users Need to Change a Signature in DocuSign

Many scenarios can call for a signature change, whether on the fly or account-wide. Some of the most common include the following:

• Misspelled names need to be changed.
• The user changed their name since the last time they signed.
• The signature needs resizing to fit the document.
• Recipients share an email address but have different signatures.

Of course, users may also want to change their DocuSign signatures due to personal preference and stylistic reasons.

Additional FAQs

Can I edit a DocuSign document after sending it?

DocuSign envelopes marked with the “Completed” tag are no longer modifiable. The only way to correct mistakes before the recipient signs the envelope is to void the old envelope and create a new one.

Can I retract a signature on DocuSign?

After signing a document through DocuSign, the envelope goes to the next recipient on the list for them to sign. Therefore, you can’t personally retract the signature.

However, the original sender may help you revise your signature to either modify or remove it completely from the envelope. The recipient with envelope modification privileges can also help you retract a signature.

How can I cancel a completed and signed DocuSign document?

You can’t correct or cancel (void) a “Completed” document or envelope in DocuSign. The only documents you can edit, to change a signature, for example, are those marked as “Created,” “Sent,” or “Delivered.” Even then, you must have the privileges to do so.

How to enable recipient edits in DocuSign

As a sender, you can make a DocuSign document or envelope editable by recipients. Before sending the envelope, head to the “Advanced Options” menu. From there, go to “Edit” and tick the box next to “Allow” to enable recipients to edit the envelope.

This helps other users modify their signatures or make corrections to files, email messages, contact information, etc.

Make Your Signature Unique and Instantly Recognizable

As you can see, DocuSign offers enough flexibility when it comes to signatures. You can draw, capture, and change styles pretty much at will. The app allows you to easily remove, modify, and add new signatures to your account and edit the signing field in envelopes.

The only issue is ensuring you meet the signature change criteria as set by DocuSign policies and account administrators. As long as you meet the conditions, changing a signature should take more than a few minutes.

What do you think about DocuSign’s signature management system? Let us know in the comments section below.