Signatory roles

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated July 7, 2026
  • 1 minute to read

    • Signatory roles define how each participant interacts with a contract document during the signature workflow.

    Signatory role types

    Note:
    Signatory roles apply to Docusign electronic signature integrations. Signatory roles are available only for signature block-based contract templates. The Signatory role field is not displayed for participant-based templates.
    Table 1. Signatory role types
    Role Description
    Signer Signs the contract document. This is the default role for all signatories.
    Viewer Views the contract document during the electronic signature workflow. Does not sign the document.
    Receiver Receives a copy of the signed contract document after all signatories have completed their actions.
    Approver Approves the contract document in the electronic signature tool before signing begins.

    Role availability by signature type

    The following table describes field availability for each role across signature types.

    Table 2. Role availability by signature type
    Role Electronic signature Wet signature Offline signature
    Signer Available Available Available
    Viewer Available Inactive Inactive
    Receiver Available Inactive Inactive
    Approver Available Inactive Inactive
    Note:
    When you switch the signature type from electronic signature to wet signature or offline signature, signatories with Viewer, Receiver, or Approver roles become inactive. These signatories no longer appear in the Signatories tab. If you switch back to electronic signature, these signatories are reactivated and appear again in the Signatories tab.

    Signatory task statuses

    The following table describes signatory task statuses in a contract request.

    Table 3. Signatory statuses
    Status Description
    Not started The signature request has not been sent to the signatory.
    Pending The signature request has been sent and is awaiting action from the signatory.
    Completed The signatory has signed the contract document.
    Declined The signatory has declined the contract document.

    System property

    Table 4. System property for signatory roles
    Property Description Default value

    Enable signatory roles for DocuSign

    sn_cm_core.enable_docusign_signature_roles

    		Controls the visibility of the Role field in internal signatory rules, and the Signatory Role field in the Employee Center portal and Contract Workspace.

    To enable this property, see Enable signatory roles.

    		 false