Can this be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA when the transaction meets intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements.

Do all signers need to sign at the same time?

Not necessarily. You can set simultaneous or sequential signing. Check the recipient's policy for required ordering or notarization timing.

Is notarization required?

It depends on the document and state law. Deeds and certain property instruments typically require notarization; confirm with the receiving institution and state rules.

What happens if a name is entered incorrectly?

Name mismatches often cause rejections or additional identity verification; correct errors promptly and, if necessary, re-execute the instruction.

How long should I keep the signed instruction?

Retain signed instructions for the active term plus a minimum of three years; specific industries (e.g., healthcare) may require six or more years.

Can a signer revoke a joint instruction?

Yes, subject to any contractual or statutory limits. Revocation should be in writing, distributed to all affected parties, and may require consent from other signers or recipient acceptance.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Client Joint Written Instruction

Client Joint Written Instruction

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

CLIENT JOINT WRITTEN INSTRUCTION

Client 1 Name:

Client 2 Name:

Recipient/Agent Name:

WHEREAS

WHEREAS, Client 1 and Client 2 (collectively, the "Clients") are joint owners of the accounts or assets identified herein and desire to provide joint written instruction to Recipient/Agent to act on their behalf with respect to the matters set forth in this instrument; and

WHEREAS, Recipient/Agent is authorized to accept and execute written instructions from the Clients when delivered in accordance with the procedures set forth below and desires to confirm the Clients' joint instruction in writing to create a binding obligation on the parties as stated herein.

Account or Reference Number: Effective Date:

SCOPE OF INSTRUCTION

Scope of Work

INSTRUCTION DETAILS

Transaction Type(s): Transfer funds Sell securities Change account restrictions

Detailed Instruction

Amount (if applicable): Currency:

PAYMENT TERMS

Fees payable to Recipient/Agent for execution of the foregoing instructions shall be as follows.

Fee Amount Payment Schedule

Late Fee: Collection Costs: The defaulting party shall also be liable for reasonable costs of collection, including attorneys' fees.

TERM AND TERMINATION

Term Commencement Date: Term Expiration Date:

Either party may terminate this instruction by delivering written notice to the other party not less than days prior to the effective termination date. Termination does not affect obligations accrued prior to termination, including payment obligations.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party shall maintain in strict confidence all nonpublic information, documents and data disclosed by the other party in connection with this instruction, and shall not disclose such confidential information to any third party except (i) to employees, agents or affiliates on a need-to-know basis subject to confidentiality obligations at least as protective as those set forth herein, (ii) as required by applicable law, or (iii) with the prior written consent of the disclosing party. Confidential information shall not include information that is or becomes publicly available other than through breach of this provision.

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, AND INDEMNITY

Each Client represents and warrants that: (i) the information provided in this instruction is true, complete and correct; (ii) the Clients have full authority to give the joint instruction described herein; and (iii) the execution and delivery of this instruction does not violate any agreement or law applicable to either Client. The Clients shall jointly and severally indemnify and hold harmless Recipient/Agent from any losses, liabilities, claims or expenses arising from actions taken in reasonable reliance upon this joint instruction, except to the extent resulting from Recipient/Agent's gross negligence or willful misconduct.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Except for liability resulting from gross negligence or willful misconduct, Recipient/Agent shall not be liable for any indirect, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or related to the performance of this instruction, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

GOVERNING LAW AND VENUE

This instruction shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state specified below without regard to conflict of law principles. The parties agree that exclusive venue for any dispute arising out of this instruction shall be the state or federal courts located in the jurisdiction specified.

Governing State: Jurisdiction City/County:

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This written instruction constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements, understandings and communications relating to the same. Any amendment or waiver must be in writing and signed by all parties to be effective.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

By signing below, each signatory certifies that they have authority to bind the party for whom they sign, that they have read and understand the terms of this joint written instruction, and that the instruction is a binding and enforceable obligation of the signing parties.

Clients (Joint Instruction) - Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Recipient/Agent - Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What a Client Joint Written Instruction Is

A Client Joint Written Instruction is a signed, written directive executed by two or more clients or account holders that authorizes a shared action or decision for jointly held accounts, property, or services. Typical uses include jointly authorizing transfers, appointing an agent to act on behalf of multiple clients, or instructing a financial institution, escrow agent, or service provider to take specified steps. The document records each party's consent, signature, and the effective date, and it clarifies the scope of authority and any conditions or limits placed on the joint instruction.

Why a Clear Joint Written Instruction Matters

A precise joint written instruction reduces disputes, creates an auditable record of consent, and clarifies who may act and when. Under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA, electronically executed instructions are enforceable when intent, consent, attribution, and retention are satisfied.

Who Typically Prepares or Signs These Instructions

Joint written instructions are used across client-facing functions where two or more parties share rights or custody and need a single, documented directive.

Joint account holders instructing transfers or account changes with mutually agreed parameters and timing.
Trustees or co-trustees documenting joint decisions about trust distributions or investment moves.
Multiple owners or co-borrowers authorizing an agent, escrow action, or property-related instruction.

Use clear names, dates, and signature blocks to minimize rejection by institutions and to support enforceability if a dispute arises.

Primary Roles and Signers

Joint Clients

Two or more named individuals or entities with shared rights who must sign to validate the instruction. Include full legal names, capacity (e.g., co-trustee), and contact details to avoid identity mismatches during processing.

Authorized Agent

A named third party or representative authorized to act under the instruction. Identify the scope and duration of authority and attach any required power of attorney or corporate resolution to prove signing authority.

Step-by-Step: Completing a Joint Written Instruction

Follow these sequential steps to prepare a clear, enforceable instruction.

01

Gather Parties: List full legal names and contact details for every signer.
02

Specify Action: Write an exact, unambiguous description of the authorized activity.
03

Attach Proof: Include POA, trust excerpts, or account documents as required.
04

Sign and Date: Have all parties sign in the designated blocks and record the effective date.

How to Set Up an Electronic Workflow for Joint Instruction

Design the signing order, authentication, and routing to match institutional requirements before sending.

Step	Configuration
Upload Document	Use a PDF or DOCX and confirm text fields are fillable.
Signer Order	Set simultaneous or sequential signing as required by parties or institution.
Authentication	Enable email confirmation, SMS code, or KBA when higher assurance is needed.
Retention	Capture completion certificate and store a tamper-evident copy.

Typical Electronic Signing Flow for Joint Instructions

A predictable online flow reduces signer friction and preserves legal evidence of consent.

Prepare Document: Upload and position signature and date fields.
Add Signers: Enter email addresses and assign roles or signing order.
Authenticate: Choose verification level: email, SMS, KBA, or stronger.
Complete & Store: Recipients receive completed PDF and audit trail is archived.

Technical and Integration Considerations

Ensure the eSignature platform supports the file formats, authentication, and retention your institution requires.

File Formats: PDF, DOCX are universally accepted for joint instructions.
Integrations: Connectors for Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace streamline routing.
Authentication: Options should include email, SMS, KBA, and SSO for higher assurance.

Verify the chosen platform can generate a tamper-evident signed PDF and an audit trail that records timestamps, IP addresses, and signer actions for compliance and dispute resolution.

Essential Elements to Include in a Professional Instruction

A complete joint written instruction should contain identifiers, clear authority language, and execution details so recipients can act without follow-up.

Parties

Full legal names and capacities to identify signers unambiguously.

Authority

Plain-language statement of the rights or actions being authorized.

Scope

Limits, dollar caps, account or property identifiers, and any conditional triggers.

Effective Period

Start and end dates or event-based termination conditions.

Signatures

Signature blocks with printed name, title (if applicable), and date for each signer.

Supporting Documents

Attachments proving authority such as POA, trust pages, or corporate resolutions.

Supporting Materials That Reduce Processing Friction

Attach documents that help the receiving institution validate the instruction quickly.

Proof of Identity

Scanned ID or verified identity assertion from an eSign vendor.

Proof of Authority

Power of attorney, trust excerpt, or board resolution as applicable.

Account Verification

Recent statement or account number matching the instruction.

Contact Information

Phone and email for each signer for follow-up or verification.

eSignature Pricing and Feature Snapshot

Compare common plan and feature criteria for eSignature vendors often used to execute joint written instructions. signNow is presented first for parity with industry comparisons.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Consequences of an Incorrect or Incomplete Instruction

Rejection: Institution may refuse action

Delay: Processing and transactions can be postponed

Liability: Civil claims for unauthorized actions

Tax Impact: Incorrect filings may trigger IRS penalties

Notary Refusal: Missing notarization can void record acceptance

Dispute Risk: Higher chance of costly litigation

Common Errors to Avoid

Ambiguous language about authority or scope that causes interpretation disputes.
Mismatched signer names or missing capacity descriptors that trigger identity checks.
Omitting supporting documents (POA, trust pages) required by the recipient.
Failing to set an effective date or termination condition, creating ongoing ambiguity.

Practical Tips for Smooth Preparation and Execution

Adopt consistent formatting and include verification steps to reduce rework and institutional pushback.

Use Clear Language

Write precise action items with account or asset identifiers to eliminate interpretation issues. Avoid legalese that obscures practical effect.

Standardize Signatures

Require printed name, role, and date adjacent to each signature block to help match records during verification.

Collect Attachments

Attach and label proof of authority, identity, and account documents to expedite acceptance.

Preserve Audit Trail

Ensure electronic signing records capture timestamps, IP addresses, and signer authentication for future evidentiary needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Client Joint Written Instructions

Answers to common procedural and legal questions to help you prepare, sign, and manage joint instructions with fewer errors.

Need help? Contact support

Can this be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA when the transaction meets intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements.
Do all signers need to sign at the same time?
Not necessarily. You can set simultaneous or sequential signing. Check the recipient's policy for required ordering or notarization timing.
Is notarization required?
It depends on the document and state law. Deeds and certain property instruments typically require notarization; confirm with the receiving institution and state rules.
What happens if a name is entered incorrectly?
Name mismatches often cause rejections or additional identity verification; correct errors promptly and, if necessary, re-execute the instruction.
How long should I keep the signed instruction?
Retain signed instructions for the active term plus a minimum of three years; specific industries (e.g., healthcare) may require six or more years.
Can a signer revoke a joint instruction?
Yes, subject to any contractual or statutory limits. Revocation should be in writing, distributed to all affected parties, and may require consent from other signers or recipient acceptance.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now