Note: SMS verification cannot be used if documents are sent via SMS.
Availability: Business and Enterprise. 10 SMS per year (annual plans), 1 per month (monthly plans) are included. You can purchase an additional volume package with a minimum of 50 SMS for $0.40 per SMS.
SMS verification provides an additional security layer by sending a one-time code to the recipient’s mobile device. This feature ensures only authorized recipients can view or sign your document.
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How to set up SMS verification in workspace settings
Note: Only account owners and users with admin permission allowing access to workspace settings can set up identity verification methods in a workspace. By default, all verification methods are enabled.
Click on your profile image in the lower-left corner and go to Workspace defaults. Select which verification method you’d like to use, deselect the verification method you'd like to disable in documents, then select Save changes.
Setting up SMS verification in a document
Note: You can set up identity verification only in a document — not in a template or form. You can automate setting up identity verification via API.
There are two ways you can enable identity verification:
While creating a document from scratch, or from a template
In a document
Now let's dig deeper into each.
Setting up SMS verification in a newly created document
Note: You can set up identity verification via API right in a document creation request or once the document is created.
Start by selecting +Document from the Document list.
Select an existing template or +Blank to create a new document from scratch. If you have a PDF or .docx file, you can drag and drop it to the upload area.
Next, assign a recipient, then switch the toggle for “Recipient verification” beneath the recipient's email.
Once you’ve switched the toggle on, you can select the verification method, add a phone number for text (SMS) verification, and select verification time — your choices are before opening a document, or before signing a document.
Note: The verification time option is only available for recipients who have at least one field assigned to them (signers).
This method allows you to easily set up recipient verification for multiple recipients.
Once you've set up SMS verification, select Continue. Finish setting up your document, then send it!
Setting up SMS verification in a previously created document
Note: You can set up identity verification on a document in any status.
You can set up identity verification in a previously created document if you select Skip during the document generation step, or if you’d like to use an existing draft document.
Start by opening the document. Next, select the Manage button at the top of the page, or select the Manage recipients tab on the right.
Then, click the recipient's name to set up verification and switch on the “Identity verification” toggle.
Once you’ve switched on the toggle, you can select the verification method.
Note: You'll be unable to set up SMS verification when sending documents via text (SMS).
For text (SMS) verification, add a phone number, then select verification time — your choices are before opening a document, or before signing a document. Once you’ve done this, select Set up verification code.
Note: The verification time option is only available for recipients who have at least one field assigned to them (signers).
Finish setting up your document, then send it!
Recipient view
Once you’ve sent your document, recipients will be unable to open (if verification time is "Before opening a document") or finalize the document (if verification time is "Before signing a document") without passing the type of verification you’ve set up.
If the verification time is "Before opening a document," the recipient will be prompted to receive and submit a text (SMS) code before they can view the document.
Warning: The recipient will have only 1 minute to enter the correct text (SMS) code. Any code entered after 1 minute will be considered incorrect, and the recipient will need to select Resend code to receive a new one.
If the verification time is "Before signing a document," the recipient will be able to view and fill out fields in the document, but they’ll be unable to finalize it until they enter the correct text (SMS) code.
SMS code expiration notice
If the recipient enters an incorrect SMS code three times, they’ll need to contact the document sender to change their telephone number or ask them to set up a verification code one more time. After that, the recipient can access the verification page again and enter a new SMS code.
How to reset the recipient verification
Start by opening the document with a set-up verification.
Next, select the Manage button at the top of the page.
Click the recipient's name and switch off the “Identity verification” toggle, then on again. The verification will be reset, allowing your recipient to enter the code after refreshing the document page.