This page lists answers to frequently asked questions about USC DocuSign eSignature. Additional information is available at the DocuSign Resource Center at https://www.docusign.com/resources.
General Information
- Who can use USC DocuSign eSignature?
- How much does it cost to use USC DocuSign eSignature?
- What document types are supported?
- Which web browsers does USC DocuSign eSignature support?
- How secure are documents that are stored in USC DocuSign eSignature?
- Where are my documents stored?
- What is an electronic signature?
- What are the benefits of electronic signatures?
- Can I use DocuSign on a mobile device?
Your DocuSign Account
- Where do I find my USC DocuSign eSignature account number?
- Do I need a USC DocuSign eSignature account to sign a document?
- Can I change the default notifications that I am getting from USC DocuSign eSignature?
- How do I manage my USC DocuSign eSignature identity (change my picture, signature, or personal information)?
Sending a Document With USC DocuSign eSignature
- Can I send a document to someone outside of USC?
- How do I prevent documents from being returned incomplete?
- Can I send the same document to many individuals at once?
- Is there a maximum file size or a maximum number of recipients for an envelope?
- How do I send a new document?
- How do I allow USC DocuSign eSignature to send documents stored in a cloud storage provider?
- How do I add required signers to a document?
- How do I know who has signed my document?
Signing a Document with USC DocuSign eSignature
Managing Documents Using USC DocuSign eSignature
- How do I view a document or its status?
- How do I download or print a document?
- What reports are available?
Other Questions
- Why can’t I upload my PDF file?
- How do I create a template?
- Can a template owner be changed?
- What is a field?
- How do I make a document ADA compliant?
- Are electronic signatures legally binding?
General Information
Who can use USC DocuSign eSignature?
Any faculty or staff member with a valid USC email account may use the service for USC business-related purposes.
How much does it cost to use USC DocuSign eSignature?
USC DocuSign eSignature is provided as a free service to USC faculty, staff, and students.
What document types are supported?
You can upload a variety of file types to USC DocuSign eSignature, including Microsoft Word and Excel files, PDFs, Google Drive files, and others. For a complete list of supported file types, see https://docs.docusign.com/DocuSignHelp/Content/supported-file-formats.htm.
Which web browsers does USC DocuSign eSignature support?
Please visit https://support.docusign.com/guides/ndse-user-guide-system-requirements for up-to-date supported browser information.
How secure are documents that are stored in USC DocuSign eSignature?
USC DocuSign eSignature offers industry-leading document security. Learn more at https://www.docusign.com/how-it-works/security.
Where are my documents stored?
Your documents will be stored in your USC DocuSign eSignature account as long as your account is active.
Note: You may wish to download and save completed documents to your department’s preferred document repository. Documents deleted from your USC DocuSign eSignature account cannot be recovered.
What is an electronic signature?
An electronic signature, or eSignature, is defined by the Federal ESIGN Act as an “electronic sound, symbol, or process, attached to or logically associated with a contract or other record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record.” All fifty states have laws that define electronic signatures in substantially the same way.
What are the benefits of electronic signatures?
Electronic signatures provide cost, time, and security benefits:
- Cost:
- Paper-free processing
- Free delivery over the Internet
- Time:
- Mobile, anywhere, anytime access
- Required fields eliminate the chance of incomplete documents
- Security:
- Encryption and audit trails ensure documents are tamper-evident
- Unalterable capture of signing data
- Secure electronic storage
Can I use DocuSign on a mobile device?
You can use an iPad, iPhone, or Android or Windows 8 device to sign documents if you have the DocuSign app installed. Other functionality, such as sending or managing documents, is not available for mobile devices at this time. Download links for the DocuSign mobile app are available at https://support.docusign.com/en/downloads.
Your DocuSign Account
Where do I find my USC DocuSign eSignature account number?
Log into your USC DocuSign eSignature account and click or tap the account icon in the upper right corner of the top menu. Your account number is listed in the dropdown menu beneath your email address.
Do I need a USC DocuSign eSignature account to sign a document?
You do not need an account to sign a document. You only need an account to send a document.
Can I change the default notifications that I am getting from USC DocuSign eSignature?
To change the default notifications you receive, log into your account, press the account icon in the upper right corner of the top menu, choose My Preferences, then press Notifications from the SIGNING AND SENDING section of the left-hand menu. Use the checkboxes to indicate the notifications you wish to receive, then press SAVE.
How do I manage my USC DocuSign eSignature identity (change my picture, signature, or personal information)?
For information on how to create or edit your electronic signature and edit your personal information, please visit DocuSign’s Manage Your Identity page at https://support.docusign.com/en/guides/ndse-user-guide-manage-your-identity.
Sending a Document with USC DocuSign eSignature
Can I send a document to someone outside of USC?
Yes, but keep in mind that USC DocuSign eSignature is to be used for USC business purposes only.
How do I prevent documents from being returned incomplete?
To prevent a document from being returned incomplete, ensure that all fields are marked as required. Signers will not be able to submit the document until all required fields are completed.
Can I send the same document to many individuals at once?
If you need to send a single document to many individuals, use the Add Bulk Recipient button on the Send screen. Full details on bulk sending is available at https://support.docusign.com/guides/ndse-user-guide-send-a-document-using-bulk-send.
Is there a maximum file size or a maximum number of recipients for an envelope?
The maximum total file size for an envelope is 25 MB. There is no maximum number of recipients for an envelope.
How do I send a new document?
To learn how to upload and send a document, see https://www.docusign.com/support/new/question/how-do-i-send-a-docusign-document-new-docusign-experience.
How do I allow USC DocuSign eSignature to send documents stored in a cloud storage provider?
For information about uploading documents from Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, or Box, see https://support.docusign.com/guides/ndse-user-guide-give-docusign-access-to-your-cloud-storage.
How do I add required signers to a document?
For information about adding document recipients, see https://support.docusign.com/en/guides/ndse-user-guide-add-recipients.
How do I know who has signed my document?
Use the MANAGE tab in USC DocuSign eSignature to check the status of signatures and envelopes. Click on the envelope which contains the document you need to check. You will see a list of recipients and their status (Needs to Sign, Signed, Viewed, etc.).
For more information on how to use the MANAGE tab dashboard to check statuses or run reports, please watch the video Using Dashboards at https://support.docusign.com/videos/Classic-DocuSign-Experience-Using-Dashboards.
Signing a Document with USC DocuSign eSignature
How do I sign a document?
When someone sends you a document for your electronic signature, you first receive an email from USC DocuSign eSignature sent on behalf of the sender. For information about how to sign the document, see https://support.docusign.com/en/articles/How-do-I-sign-a-DocuSign-document-Basic-Signing.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION SECURITY ADVICE: To avoid accidentally clicking a link in a possible phish message, it is a good information security practice to verify the email’s authenticity with the sender before attempting to access the document.
Note: The first time you sign a document using USC DocuSign eSignature, the process is slightly different from your subsequent signatures. If you are signing for the first time, you will be prompted to confirm your name and create a signature and initial. Follow the onscreen prompts to complete this process.
How can I track a document after I sign it?
You can view the routing status and order of a document by logging into your USC DocuSign eSignature account.
- Click the MANAGE tab at the top of the home screen.
- Select Inbox.
- Click or tap on the envelope containing the document that you want to know about.
Managing Documents Using USC DocuSign eSignature
How do I view a document or its status?
Use the MANAGE tab in USC DocuSign eSignature to view your envelopes and documents. You can see a list of envelopes in your Inbox (documents sent to you for your signature) and Sent folder (documents you sent to other people for signature), as well as quick links to see envelopes that require your attention, documents that require a recipient’s attention, and more. For more information about checking the status of a document, see https://support.docusign.com/guides/ndse-user-guide-document-status.
How do I download or print a document?
From the MANAGE tab in your USC DocuSign eSignature homepage, select the envelope that includes the document(s) you want to download or print.
To download a document, click or tap the Download icon. From the dropdown menu, you can choose to download:
- Separate PDFs: This will result in a ZIP file including each selected document in the envelope.
- Combined PDF: All documents will be included in one PDF file.
To print your document, click the Print icon.
Note: When you download or print a PDF from USC DocuSign eSignature, it presents the current state of your document. Only completed documents will show the signing information.
What reports are available?
USC DocuSign eSignature provides a variety of overview and standard reports, accessible from the REPORTS tab on your account home page. You may also create custom reports to fit your business needs. For more information, see https://support.docusign.com/en/guides/ndse-user-guide-using-reports.
Other Questions
Why can’t I upload my PDF file?
Some “fillable form” and “active XFA form” PDF files will not upload properly for use with USC DocuSign eSignature. You should first remove any interactive elements from the PDF before attempting to upload it. An easy way to remove these elements is to “print” the document to a PDF file using the Print menu in Adobe Acrobat or a similar program. You can then upload the standard PDF file to USC DocuSign eSignature.
PDF files larger than 5 MB may not upload properly. Use Adobe Acrobat or a similar program to save your file as a Reduced Size PDF or an Optimized PDF to reduce the file size before uploading it to USC DocuSign eSignature.
How do I create a template?
To create templates in USC DocuSign eSignature, log into your DocuSign account, select the TEMPLATES tab, then click or tap NEW. Templates allow you to create a standard document where recipient roles, signing information, and commonly used fields can be set. Templates are helpful if you frequently send the same or similar documents to multiple people. For more information about templates, see https://support.docusign.com/en/guides/ndse-user-guide-working-with-templates or watch the Using Templates video available at https://support.docusign.com/en/videos/Using-Templates.
Note: Templates are not available to basic USC DocuSign eSignature accounts. To activate this feature, email your school or department’s DocuSign Administrator or the ITS DocuSign support team at dshelp-l@usc.edu.
Can a template owner be changed?
You can change the owner of a template by submitting a request to your school or department’s DocuSign Administrator or the ITS DocuSign support team at dshelp-l@usc.edu. Make certain to include the template name, original template owner, and new template owner in your request.
What is a field?
USC DocuSign eSignature fields are locations on a document where the recipient needs to take an action to provide information for the recipient. Some examples include: Signature, Date Signed, Radio Button, and Check Box. For more information, see https://support.docusign.com/en/guides/ndse-user-guide-field-types.
How do I make a document ADA compliant?
For information about accessibility standards, see https://support.docusign.com/en/guides/docusign-digital-accessibility.
Are electronic signatures legally binding?
Yes, electronic signatures are legally binding in the United States. Both the U.S. Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN, 2000) and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA, 1999) establish that electronic records and signatures carry the same weight and legal effect as traditional paper documents and handwritten signatures. For more information about how USC DocuSign eSignature meets both ESIGN and UETA compliance, see https://www.docusign.com/learn/us-electronic-signature-laws-and-history.
For general information about eSignature legality, please see https://www.docusign.com/how-it-works/legality/global.