> You are reading the Docusign Developer Documentation. For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
>
> Documentation indexes by section:
> - APIs and SDKs: https://docusign.docs.buildwithfern.com/docs/llms.txt
> - Platform 101: https://docusign.docs.buildwithfern.com/platform/llms.txt
> - Extension Apps: https://docusign.docs.buildwithfern.com/extension-apps/llms.txt
> - Docusign CLI: https://docusign.docs.buildwithfern.com/docusign-cli/llms.txt
>
> Authentication (OAuth, JWT Grant, M2M): https://docusign.docs.buildwithfern.com/platform/auth
> Webhooks and Connect: https://docusign.docs.buildwithfern.com/platform/webhooks
>
> OpenAPI specifications: https://docusign.docs.buildwithfern.com/openapi.json
> MCP server: https://docusign.docs.buildwithfern.com/_mcp/server

# Developer account

> Learn about what a developer account is and what it enables you to do on the Docusign platform.

A Docusign *developer account* (sometimes referred to as a *demo account*) enables you to develop and test your app in the [developer environment](https://account-d.docusign.com/) (sometimes referred to as the *demo* *environment*), which is isolated from the production environment.  Creating a developer account is the first step in getting started developing integrations with Docusign. Then, you can [add and configure your app](/platform/build-integration) in the account and obtain an [integration key](/platform/configure-app#integration-key) for it.

While you can build and test your integration using your developer account, you cannot obtain official, legally binding signatures using envelopes sent from that account. To do so, after you finish developing your Docusign integration, you must promote your app's integration key to the production environment through our [Go-Live](/platform/go-live) process, which requires a Docusign [production enterprise account or API plan](/choose-the-right-developer-plan).

**Note:** An individual Docusign account does not offer developer functionality unless it's associated with an enterprise or API plan.

## When you need a Docusign developer account

1. **Developing and testing API integrations**
   If you're building a custom integration or application that uses the Docusign API, a developer account is essential because it provides a free sandbox environment that allows you to test and refine your integration without impacting live production data.
2. **Experimenting with new features and admin configurations**
   When exploring advanced features like switching admin accounts, a developer account lets you safely configure and test these functionalities without risking your live data.
3. **Conducting demos or training on API usage**
   For demos and training sessions that illustrate how the Docusign API works in a controlled setting, a developer account offers a secure environment to fully explore API capabilities without affecting production operations.

## When you do not need a Docusign developer account

1. **Sending legally binding documents from the demo environment**
   Even though you might simulate legal workflows in the demo environment, any documents sent are purely for testing and are not legally binding, so a developer account isn’t required.
2. **Signing legally binding documents as an end-user in production**
   If you're using Docusign as a signer or for routine document management within a live production environment, you can use your existing production account, eliminating the need for a separate developer account.
3. **Routine document management via the standard interface**
   When you're solely managing or signing documents using the standard production interface, a dedicated developer account is not necessary.

## Create an account

To create an account, select **Developer Account** at the top of this page or any other [Developer Center](/) page, then choose **Create Account**. You can also use the button below.

[Create account](https://www.docusign.com/developers/sandbox)

**Note:** If your company email policy prevents you from using your company email address for a developer account, you can sign up for an account with a personal email address.

## Close an account

Docusign Support can close a developer account that is no longer in use. This prevents anyone from logging into the Docusign web app with that account or using it to send API requests. Docusign cannot reopen a closed account, but you can create a new account if needed.

To request closure of an account, please open a support case with [Docusign Support](https://support.docusign.com/s/contactSupport). If you don't have a production account, select **Docusign API Integration Support** under **More Support Options**, and submit details using the form.

## Next steps

* Learn about promoting your app's integration key to production through our [Go-Live](/platform/go-live) process, which requires a Docusign [production enterprise account or API plan](/choose-the-right-developer-plan).
* [See an overview of the stages of building an app with Docusign](/platform/build-integration).