Governance request template

Director consent signing request template

A director consent is a signed document in which a person agrees to act as a director or officeholder of a company before their appointment takes effect.

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What is a director consent?

A director consent records that a person has agreed in writing to be appointed as a director, secretary or other officeholder. Australian companies must obtain a person's written consent before appointing them, and the signed consent confirms the individual understands and accepts the role and its responsibilities.

This document matters because appointing someone without their signed consent can create compliance problems, and the consent is kept with the company's records and used when notifying the regulator of the appointment. A clear, dated consent also protects both the company and the individual by documenting exactly when the person agreed to take on the position. With director identification and officeholder duties in focus, keeping consents on file is part of sound governance.

When to use a director consent

Appointing a new director to the board before lodging the change
Adding a company secretary or public officer who must consent in writing
Recording consent when a person joins a newly registered company
Documenting an officeholder's agreement ahead of an ASIC notification

What to include in a director consent

Person's details: full name and any other identifying information required for the role.
Company details: company name and ACN the person is consenting to act for.
Position consented to: director, secretary, public officer or other office being accepted.
Consent statement: clear wording that the person agrees to act in the position.
Signature and date: the individual's signature and the date consent is given.

Pros and cons of sending a director consent as a signing request

Pros

The incoming officeholder signs via a private link without printing or scanning
Tracking confirms the person has opened and signed before you act on it
Reminders prompt the appointee if they have not signed before expiry
A receipt records the exact consent date for your registers and lodgements

Cons and things to watch

Cosign does not verify identity or director ID requirements for you
Consent must be obtained before the appointment is treated as effective
You may still need to notify ASIC separately within required timeframes
Consent alone does not confirm the person is eligible to hold the role

How to send a director consent with Cosign

Upload the director consent document and preview the named person, company and position.
Add the appointee as the signer with a private link and a clear signing deadline.
Set a 14-day expiry and enable password protection if the document is sensitive.
Send, track the signing, and keep the completion receipt with the dated consent on file.

Director consent request details

Email subject

Director consent request

Default message

Please review and sign this director consent document.

Signer setup

Director or officeholder

Suggested expiry

14 days

Button label

Sign director consent

Best fit

Governance teams

Director consent FAQs

Is an electronic signature on a director consent valid in Australia?

Electronic signatures are generally recognised under Australian law, and company documents may often be signed electronically. Confirm any specific requirements for your appointment and lodgement, as this is general information rather than legal advice.

Does a person have to consent before becoming a director?

Australian companies must obtain a person's written consent to act before appointing them as a director or officeholder, and that consent is kept with company records. A signing tool helps collect it but does not replace professional or regulatory advice.

Is the director consent kept private when sent via Cosign?

Yes. The consent is delivered by a private link to the named appointee and is not indexed by search engines. You can also add a password where the document is confidential.

Does signing a consent in Cosign notify ASIC of the appointment?

No. Cosign collects and records the signed consent only. You still need to notify ASIC of the appointment separately within the required timeframe using the appropriate process.

When was the consent signed, for my records?

Cosign records the date and time each signer completes the document and provides a completion receipt. This gives you a dated record of exactly when consent was given.