DocuSign

DocuSign allows a user to securely submit their electronic signature remotely from virtually anywhere, on any device. Electronic signatures are more secure than paper and email attachments.

The Docusign option will be available to advisors on the Application Status page (along with the legacy PDF method) - only if the client's phone number has been verified. If a client has a non-confirmed mobile number, we are offering DocuSign's ID verification service to verify the client. Please see "DocuSign - ID Verification" below for more information on this topic.

DocuSign only supports 45 specific countries. Please see "Eligible Countries" below for a list of these countries.

Docusign is available to clients of advisors trading through IB LLC opening Individual, Joint and IRA accounts (as long as the clients are from a country DocuSign supports).

  • During the semi-electronic application, the advisor must enter the correct mobile number that is associated with the account holder.

  • If we can match the number to the name (account title) using third party data, the FA will have two options on the Application Status page

    • DocuSign - Advisors will have the option to send a DocuSign link to the client which will allow the client to sign the application package electronically.

    • PDF - For maximum flexibility, advisors will still have the option to use the legacy method for completing an application (generate the PDF for the client to hand sign).

  • Once the client completes the DocuSign package

    • The documents will be automatically returned to IBKR and marked as signed in our system.

    • The client will receive an email confirming the submission is complete which provides access to a copy of the signed documents.

    • Advisors will receive a notification that the client has completed the application package.

You can have your clients with open IBKR accounts use DocuSign to create additional accounts. Click here for the instructions.

You can also package multiple applications for different types of accounts for the same client (e.g., an individual account and an IRA) into a single DocuSign envelope and send it to the client for secure, electronic signature (as long as the client is eligible to use DocuSign).

To do this, simply create multiple accounts for a client during the semi-electronic application process. You can do this (1) at the beginning of the application process here or (2) by adding an additional account at the end of the application process here. Once all applications for a client are complete, send the DocuSign link and it will automatically send the clients the documents for all pending applications. Below are screenshots showing the process:

We have included some example to highlight the ways in which you can use DocuSign to help your clients open (1) additional accounts (for existing clients) and (2) multiple accounts (for new clients).

Scenario 1: Client has an existing account and wants another one.

  1. Advisor opens a Roth IRA account for Client A on 11/6/2023. A username and password (credentials) are assigned that same day.

  2. On 11/13/2023, the client decides he/she wants to open a Traditional IRA account too.

  3. On 11/13/2023, the RIA logs into Advisor Portal and clicks Create Additional Account.

  4. The Traditional IRA Application is 90% prefilled using information carried over from the client's existing IBKR Roth IRA account. The RIA fills in the rest of the information on the client's behalf. The Traditional IRA will use the same credentials as the Roth IRA.

  5. The completed Traditional IRA application is ready for client signature.

  6. If eligible, the advisor will see an option to send the Traditional IRA application to the client via DocuSign.

  7. Client signs via DocuSign, and the account is opened.

  8. If the client is not DocuSign eligible (e.g., name & mobile phone do not match or the client is from a country DocuSign does not support) then the advisor has the option to download the application PDF for the client to manually sign OR for the client to sign through another signature provider (e.g., AdobeSign).

The screenshots below reflect what the Advisor sees after they have started a second account for an existing client. They include the option to send via DocuSign.

Scenario 2: A client new to IBKR wants to open two (or more) IBKR accounts at the same time:

  1. Advisor has Client B who wants to open a taxable, Traditional IRA, and Roth IRA at the same time and use the same set of credentials for all of them.

  2. Advisor starts one account through Portal > Semi Electronic Application.

  3. At the end of the application, the advisor will see option to Open an Additional Account.

  4. Advisor completes the send and third account applications, repeating Step 3 as needed.

  5. When the advisor is finished, he/she will see the list of linked accounts AND the option to send the client the application via DocuSign.

  6. Advisor selects DocuSign and is asked to confirm they would like to send one DocuSign envelope with multiple applications for the client to review and sign.

  7. Client receives an email inviting them to sign all three applications at the same time. All three accounts are linked under a single username and password, allowing the client easy access to all three accounts.

Once the send button is clicked, the client will receive an email from DocuSign directly. The email provides a description of what is included in the document package and contains a link that client will use to enter the DocuSign facility.

  • To enter DocuSign, clients will be prompted to verify their mobile number.

  • Clients will be asked to acknowledge a DocuSign disclosure and agree to use electronic records and signatures. Once agreed, they will be presented with the IBKR account opening documents.

  • Once clients click on the first Initials or Signature prompt, the Adopt Your Initials window will appear. Here clients will create their DocuSign signature which will be used throughout the documentation.

  • After the application portion has been completed, clients will be presented with a series of agreements and disclosures. While these do not need to be signed individually, clients will need to view each agreement in order to complete the signing process.

  • Once completed, the client will be given the option to create a DocuSign account. This is not a requirement. Clients will be shown a page showing they have completed the signing process.

  • Clients will receive an email informing them that the process has been finished and will provide them with a link that will allow them to view the completed application package.

We are adding a new feature to our DocuSign offering. For applicants where we cannot verify the phone number, and therefore could not allow to use DocuSign, we are going to allow clients to utilize the DocuSign ID Verification process. This process allows for clients to provide an ID electronically to DocuSign (picture from mobile or upload from PC) which can be used as verification. Rollout will be to U.S. clients first. We will then look to expand to other countries which DocuSign supports. This should be released for April 27th.

  • When clicking on the DocuSign link to sign the application, client is presented with the ID verification task.

  • Client enters ID type and country of issuance.

  • Client is presented with the option to either upload a file or to use mobile to take the picture.

    • Upload

      • DocuSign app walks the client through uploading a picture of the front and back of ID

    • Mobile

      • DocuSign app walks the client through taking a picture of the front and back of ID.

  • Once ID has been verified, client is granted access to the DocuSign platform to review and sign the documents.

The client must complete the same process when they want to review the documents post signing.

The ID is not provided to IB.

The Process

  1. After the client received the DocuSign email notification, they will need to verify their identity. If the do not have a phone which we have verified, they will be presented with the Let’s Verify Your Identity Screen.

  2. Client will be prompted to provide the country of issuance and the type of ID.

  3. Client is informed we will need a photo of their ID. They will have the option to provide via photo (for mobile users or via webcam) or via file upload (for PC users).

PC Upload Screens

  1. Client is provided with instructions and the option to take picture with a webcam.

  2. Once the file has been uploaded, the client will be presented with the result and the confirmation screen for both the front of the ID and the back.

  3. When the upload of the ID has been completed, the client will see screens letting them know the upload is being reviewed and ultimately, if verified, the verification screen.

Mobile Screens

  1. Client will be prompted to enter their mobile phone number.

  2. The client will receive a text message with a link.

  3. Client will be walked through the photo process for the front and back of the ID.

  4. When the upload of the ID has been completed, the client will see screens letting them know the upload is being reviewed and ultimately, if verified, the verification screen.

DocuSign ID Verification supported countries:

  • Albania

  • Australia

  • Austria

  • Belgium

  • Bosnia and Herzegovina

  • Brazil

  • Bulgaria

  • Cameroon

  • Canada

  • Chad

  • Cote d'Ivoire

  • Croatia

  • Cyprus

  • Czech Republic

  • Denmark

  • Estonia

  • Finland

  • France

  • Germany

  • Greece

  • Guinea

  • Hungary

  • Ireland

  • Italy

  • Latvia

  • Lithuania

  • Luxembourg

  • Madagascar

  • Malta

  • Mexico

  • Morocco

  • Netherlands

  • Norway

  • Poland

  • Portugal

  • Romania

  • Senegal

  • Slovakia

  • Slovenia

  • Spain

  • Sweden

  • Switzerland

  • Tunisia

  • United Kingdom

  • United States

This offering is only available to US and Non-US based advisors for individual, joint and IRA accounts.

Only documents which we accept a DocuSign signature will appear in the document package. Documents that require a physical signatures, such as SPOA, will not be included.

Primary users and secondary users with the appropriate access rights can utilize this feature.