Access Levels
Specify view, comment, edit, and signing permissions for each role. Note any role-based restrictions or time-limited access and whether privileged users can override controls.
Using a standard Document Access Comparison Form reduces ambiguity about access rights, improves vendor comparisons, and helps teams identify compliance gaps (HIPAA, ESIGN, UETA). It centralizes technical, legal, and operational criteria so stakeholders can make consistent decisions and document rationale for audits or legal review.
The form is used by teams that manage documents, compliance, or vendor selection across an organization.
Completed forms create a clear record of who can access documents, the authentication expected, and any special handling or retention rules required by law or policy.
Legal counsel reviews comparators for statutory compliance, confirms whether ESIGN/UETA covers the transaction, and documents exceptions where notarization or witness requirements apply. Counsel also records required consumer disclosures under 15 U.S.C. §7001 when forms affect consumers.
IT validates technical controls — encryption in transit and at rest, authentication strength, and integration points. IT also documents whether remote online notarization (RON) or advanced signer authentication will be supported by the selected vendor.
Specify view, comment, edit, and signing permissions for each role. Note any role-based restrictions or time-limited access and whether privileged users can override controls.
Record permitted signer authentication: email link, SMS code, knowledge-based authentication, multi-factor, or PKI. Note whether two-factor authentication is required for specific document classes.
Indicate whether notarization or witness signatures are required, whether remote notarization (RON) is accepted, and which states or document types need in-person authentication.
Capture audit trail detail: IP address, timestamps, signer actions, and tamper-evident seals. Verify retention of the audit record and export formats for legal review.
List required integrations (CRM, ERP, document storage) and file formats (PDF, DOCX, HTML, XLSX). Note whether automated routing or bulk send is required.
Document retention period, legal basis, and deletion procedures. Identify legal holds, archival requirements, and secure disposal timelines for each document class.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Signer Order | Define sequential or parallel routing per role and set required approvers. |
| Authentication | Set signer verification: email, SMS, or KBA depending on document sensitivity. |
| Reminders | Configure automatic reminders and expiration for unsigned requests to avoid stale links. |
| Archive Location | Map signed copies and audit trails to the correct cloud storage folder for retention. |
Record how documents will be distributed and which platforms must be supported by the vendor.
| 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 (Business Premium) | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes (BAA available) | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
Provide upon request from payer; requester may withhold backup withholding
Recipient and IRS due Jan 31; penalties apply for late filing
Individual tax returns due Apr 15; extension to Oct 15 if Form 4868 filed
Retain 3 years after hire or 1 year after termination, whichever is later (8 CFR §274a.2)
Audio-video retention often required 5–10 years depending on state requirements
Document access, authentication, and retention needs based on legal and operational input.
Compare features, pricing, and compliance capabilities against recorded requirements.
Configure workflows, authentication, integrations, and test document routing.
Store signed documents and audit trails in the designated retention system.
Optica consolidated vendor comparisons into a single form to speed approvals and reduce confusion about signer roles.
A property management firm used the form to unify tenant consent workflows across states with different notarization rules.