Principal Identity
Full legal name, address, account or shareholder ID, and a government-issued ID reference to confirm the delegator.
A properly drafted proxy ensures votes are valid, traceable, and consistent with the principal’s intent while reducing disputes. It documents authority, limits ambiguity in corporate records, and helps organizations meet internal governance and external compliance requirements governed by ESIGN and state laws such as UETA or New York ESRA.
Common users include corporate secretaries, institutional investors, trustees, and individual shareholders who need to delegate voting authority.
Each participant needs clear identity verification and a documented chain of authority to avoid invalid or contested votes.
As corporate secretary, Jane prepares proxy materials, logs authorizations in corporate records, and confirms that the proxy scope and retention match bylaws and regulatory obligations.
A trustee uses the proxy to exercise voting rights for trust-held securities, ensuring instructions align with trust terms and documenting decisions for fiduciary accountability.
Full legal name, address, account or shareholder ID, and a government-issued ID reference to confirm the delegator.
Name and contact details of the individual or entity authorized to vote on behalf of the principal.
Precise description of matters covered (e.g., all financial matters, specific resolutions, or vote-by-issue instructions).
Start and end dates or event-based expiration (e.g., until next annual meeting or revocation).
Required signer authentication (ID check, notarization, RON, or multifactor) and any witness requirements.
Statement of record retention, reproduction rights, and how signed copies will be stored.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Signature Type | Adopt e-signature or digital signature per compliance needs |
| Authentication | Choose email, SMS, knowledge-based answers, or RON |
| Order | Set sequential or parallel signing order for parties |
| Retention | Enable audit trail and store signed PDF with metadata |
Ensure the platform supports required formats, authentication, audit trails, and retention policies before e-execution.
Common practice: distribute proxy materials 10–30 days before meeting
Principal should sign and submit before the registrar’s cut-off date
If required, schedule notary or RON in advance of submission
Retention begins on execution date or delivery to custodian
Allow revocation up to the meeting or per bylaws
Draft proxy language and verify authority and compliance requirements.
Complete notarization or RON and any witness steps before signing.
Sign, timestamp, and deliver copies to custodian and board registrar.
Agent casts vote and the custodian records the action in official minutes.
| Criteria | Financial Voting Proxy | Power of Attorney | Board Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | vote delegation | broad authority | corporate action record |
| Typical Duration | meeting-specific | often long-term | event-based |
| Notarization Often Required | sometimes | often | rarely |
| Revocation Method | by principal or meeting | written poa revocation | board resolution replacement |
| 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 | Yes, 7-day free trial | No | No | Yes, limited | Yes, limited |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
An asset manager authorizes a proxy committee to vote on shareholder proposals
A trustee signs a proxy to vote trust-held shares at an annual meeting