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eSignature API 101eSignature concepts

SMS and WhatsApp delivery

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eSignature REST API 2.1 only

You can send signing requests and agreement notifications directly to a recipient’s mobile device. This feature enables you to send envelopes via SMS or WhatsApp, either by these methods alone or along with email. A phone number is required for every signer, carbon copy recipient, or certified delivery recipient when creating an envelope. Each notification contains direct, clickable links to the document delivered to the recipient.

You can also use the API to update your existing recipients. If you have recipients who have been previously set for email delivery via their template roles, you can set them to use SMS or WhatsApp delivery instead when you send your envelope.

SMS and WhatsApp delivery are available to all customers globally, and notification messages can be sent to any phone numbers other than those from countries sanctioned under US laws.

When to use SMS or WhatsApp delivery

One of the fastest ways to connect with other people across the world is through their mobile devices. SMS and WhatsApp delivery helps you guide recipients through the signing process directly via their mobile devices, and is recommended to use in remote email eSignature scenarios where:

  • Increasing transaction speed is important
  • You need to reach consumers anywhere in the world
  • Your recipients may not have access to or want to use email

Enable SMS or WhatsApp for your account

To enable SMS or WhatsApp delivery in your developer account, open a support case with Docusign Support if you have a production account. If you don’t have one, visit the Docusign Support page, select Docusign API Integration Support under More Support Options, and submit details using the form.

For production accounts, SMS or WhatsApp delivery is available as a separate add-on to Standard or higher Docusign eSignature direct plans. Contact Docusign Sales to inquire about availability for your account.

For partners, SMS and WhatsApp delivery are freely available in the developer (demo) environment to customers that are part of the EAP program. For production environments, you can request a limited free trial before accruing charges. Please reach out to your account team for more information.

Use SMS or WhatsApp delivery

You can deliver envelope notifications via SMS or WhatsApp using the UI or the API:

Best practices

Optimize for mobile devices

When you use SMS or WhatsApp delivery, your envelope will probably be signed using a mobile device. Test your envelope and template formats with mobile devices and use envelope options to provide the best signing experience for your signers. For example, turn on responsive signing and investigate using smart sections.

SMS-only or WhatsApp-only delivery

You should use SMS-only or WhatsApp-only delivery (without email) when:

  • Your end users don’t have an email address.
  • A transaction should happen synchronously with the end user and email is not readily available.

For example, SMS-only delivery and WhatsApp-only delivery are ideal for situations where customers must fill out forms when bringing their own devices or for walking them through signing an agreement while on a phone call.

Next steps