Docusign - How to Set Up Shared Access

Overview

Docusign's Shared Access feature helps users work together by letting them assign envelope tasks to others without sharing login details. Here’s how it works:

What Shared Access Enables

  • Manage: View, download, move, and organize envelopes for another user.
  • Edit: Includes all Manage permissions, plus the ability to correct, resend, and void envelopes.
  • Send: Full access to send, edit, and manage envelopes. Requires the Advanced Workflows add-on.

Key Benefits

  • Keeps work moving when team members are unavailable.
  • Encourages shared responsibility among teams.
  • Allows sending from group aliases and centralized envelope management.

Shared Access vs. Shared Envelopes (Legacy)

While both features support collaboration, Shared Access provides additional capabilities such as:

  • Sharing draft envelopes
  • Creating and managing custom folders
  • Viewing user-specific access permissions

Whether you’re handling contracts or approvals within a team or away on vacation, this feature can greatly improve efficiency. 

Detail

How to add users to Shared Access

  1. Log into Docusign.

  2. Click on your user profile icon.

  3. Click on My Preferences.

  4. Under Signing and Sending, click on Shared Access.

  5. Click on the Share Access With Others button.

  6. Under Select Permissions, choose the permission level for the other user.

  7. Select a Start Date and End Date (optional).

  8. Under Select Users, search for a user in Docusign (the user must have logged in previously) and check the box next to their name.

  9. Click the Add button at the bottom of the page.

 

Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)

Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)

Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)



How to view envelopes after someone has added your Shared Access

  1. Log into Docusign

  2. Click on the Agreements tab.

  3. Click on the Shared Access button underneath the Start button.

  4. Select a User that has given you Shared Access.

  • You’ll now see that user’s envelopes.

  • A banner will indicate whose envelopes you're viewing.

  • The folder structure will reflect the shared user's organization.

  • You may return to your own envelopes by using the link in the top banner.

Notes

  • You’ll only see envelopes that have been received or filed—drafts are not shared.

  • You can manage, correct, or resend envelopes depending on the permission level granted to you.

 

Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)

Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)

 

More Information

Docusign Support
Shared Access to Envelopes
View Envelopes Shared With You