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Bug: “Specify Recipients” – Name field marked as required but must be empty + misleading error message

  • June 26, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 1 view
J
Newcomer
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When using the “Specify Recipients” option, there are two issues that together create a functional defect:

1) Name field appears as mandatory but must actually be empty

In the recipient setup, the Name field has a * (star) beside it, which in standard convention means the field is required and must be filled in by the sender.

However, in the Specify Recipients scenario:

  • If the sender fills in the Name field, the envelope cannot be sent.
  • To proceed, the sender must leave the Name field blank.

So the UI is instructing users to do the exact opposite of what is actually required. This is not just confusing; it is contrary to the documented UX pattern where * means “must be filled in”.

Expected behavior:

  • For Specify Recipients, the Name field should not be marked with a * (or should clearly be indicated as optional/must be left blank for this routing type).
  • Alternatively, the UI should dynamically change the requirement/indicator when Specify Recipients is used.

2) Error message is incorrect and does not reflect the real problem

If the sender fills in the Name field and tries to send the envelope, the system displays the following error:

“This recipient type must have at least one recipient to specify at the same or later position in the signing order.”

This message is misleading in this context:

  • The signing order is set correctly.
  • The issue is not that there is no recipient to specify at the same or later position.
  • The real root cause is that the Name field is filled in, even though for Specify Recipients it must be empty.

So the error points users to signing-order configuration, when the real fix is simply to clear the Name field.

Expected behavior:

The error message should clearly describe the actual problem, for example:

“For ‘Specify Recipients’, the Name field must be left empty so the recipient can be specified later.”

 

Why this needs to be treated as a bug (not just an enhancement)

  • The * indicator is a core DocuSign UX convention for “mandatory”; here, it is effectively wrong.
  • The error message sends users in the wrong direction and does not help them correct the real issue.
  • The combination of these issues blocks users from sending envelopes and creates unnecessary support interactions.

Request

  1. Fix the mandatory field indicator for Name when using Specify Recipients, so it accurately reflects that the Name must be left blank (or at least is not required).
  2. Update the error message to clearly indicate that the Name field must not be filled in when using Specify Recipients.

This change would align the UI and messaging with the actual system behavior and significantly reduce confusion and support cases.

    1 reply

    N
    Community Moderator
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    Hi ​@JanSpacek,

     

    We appreciate you reaching out to the Docusign Community and are delighted to have you join us.

    I understand your concern regarding the standard name field and the specify recipient feature. I’m sorry for the confusion this has caused you, and I’m happy to help clarify.

    If you’re referring to the required standard name field when creating an envelope, this is expected behavior. The sender must enter the recipient’s name and email address so Docusign can identify who should receive the envelope.

    Regarding the Specify Recipient feature and the error you encountered, this is also expected behavior. This feature is designed for situations where the sender doesn’t know the final signer’s name or email address. The sender invites a designated recipient, who can assign the envelope to the appropriate signer. Once the designated recipient accesses the envelope, they’ll be prompted to enter the signer’s information, and Docusign will send the signing invitation to that recipient.

    For more detailed information, please feel free to check these articles: 

    When To Use Specify Recipients 

    Set Up an Envelope with a Specify Recipients Manager 

    What the Specify Recipients Manager Sees 

     

    I hope the information provided is helpful. Feel free to click the “Best Answer ✅” button below the post. That helps others in the Community find trusted answers faster.

     

    Best regards,

    Noralynn | Docusign Community Moderator

     

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