---
title: "Specify Recipient"
slug: "specify-recipient"
status: "new"
updated: 2026-07-03T19:23:14Z
published: 2026-07-03T19:23:14Z
canonical: "docs.onespan.com/specify-recipient"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.onespan.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Specify Recipient

The Specify Recipient feature lets you send a transaction even when you don't yet know who the final signers will be. Instead of entering specific people up front, the sender adds placeholder roles and assigns one person as the Recipient Specifier. After the transaction is sent, the Recipient Specifier identifies the real signers, and the signing workflow continues.

If you intend to use one of OneSpan's SDKs to use this feature, you must install the latest version of SDKs. To install the latest SDKS see [Downloading SDKS](/v1/docs/downloading-sdks). This feature must also be enabled for your account. To do this, contact our [Support Team](https://www.onespan.com/support).

For example:

- The sender knows which *roles* must sign, but not the specific individuals.
- A coordinator or manager needs to fill in signer details after the transaction is created.

The general workflow is as follows:

1. Sender creates a transaction.
2. Sender adds placeholder roles instead of selecting named recipients.
3. Sender designates a "Recipient Specifier". This is the person who will later identify the real signers.
4. The transaction is sent and the system moves into a SENT state.
5. A notification is sent to the Recipient Specifier.
6. The Recipient Specifier enters the actual recipient name/email for one, some, or all placeholder roles.
7. The workflow resumes and the newly designated signers are notified to complete signing.

## Key Concepts

| Concept | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Placeholder Role | A required signer role that does not yet have a real person assigned (e.g., "Borrower", "Approver", "Witness"). Uses the PLACEHOLDER signer type. |
| Recipient Specifier | The single person responsible for identifying the real recipients for the placeholder roles after the transaction is sent. |

> Only one Recipient Specifier (managing signer) is allowed per transaction.

To send a Specify Recipient transaction:

1. When [Adding Recipients](/v1/docs/configuring-recipients#adding-recipients-to-a-transaction) to a transaction select the recipient who will be the Recipient Specifier. This is the person will identify the actual signers for the transaction. Add them to the transaction as you would a regular signer.
2. Click the ellipsis beside this recipient (...) and then click **Advanced Settings**.

![Menu recipient options for editing details, settings, and managing attachments in an application.](https://cdn.document360.io/038f59a7-abd0-4c14-9de7-3434d28b49fd/Images/Documentation/OSS_Recipient%20Advanced%20Settings.png)
3. Toggle the **Specify placeholder recipients** option and click **Save.**

![](https://cdn.document360.io/038f59a7-abd0-4c14-9de7-3434d28b49fd/Images/Documentation/Specify%20Recipient.png)
4. Add as many **Placeholder** recipients as you need. To do this, add a recipient, enter a **Placeholder Name**, and then click the recipient icon ![](https://cdn.document360.io/038f59a7-abd0-4c14-9de7-3434d28b49fd/Images/Documentation/recipient_icon.png) to the left of their name. From there, select **Placeholder** as the recipient type.

![User interface displaying options for recipient, group, and placeholder selections.](https://cdn.document360.io/038f59a7-abd0-4c14-9de7-3434d28b49fd/Images/Documentation/Specify%20Recipient_Placeholder.png)
5. Continue editing your transaction as per usual (documents, signature fields, etc.) and then send the transaction for signing.
6. Once the designated **Recipient Specifier** receives the transaction, they will then be responsible for providing the actual recipient's information for each **Placeholder**. These signers will then be directed to the signing ceremony.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/038f59a7-abd0-4c14-9de7-3434d28b49fd/Images/Documentation/Specify%20Recipient_Specifier.png)