Membership request template

Membership application signing request template

A membership application is the form a person signs to join an organisation, club or association and agree to its rules and fees.

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What is a membership application?

A membership application records a person's request to join an organisation and their agreement to abide by its constitution, code of conduct and any fees or subscriptions. It typically captures the applicant's details, the membership type or tier they are applying for, and their acknowledgement of the rules that bind members.

For clubs, associations, professional bodies and not-for-profits, a signed application matters because membership often carries rights and obligations: voting at meetings, eligibility for benefits, and liability under the rules. Keeping a signed copy gives the organisation a clear record of who agreed to what and when, which is useful for governance and dispute resolution.

When to use a membership application

Onboarding a new member to a club, association or society
Enrolling members into a professional or industry body
Renewing or upgrading an existing membership tier
Recording agreement to a code of conduct or club rules

What to include in a membership application

Applicant details: full name, contact details and date of birth where relevant for eligibility.
Membership type: the tier, category or level being applied for and its term.
Fees and payment: the subscription amount, billing cycle and how payment is made.
Rules and code of conduct: acknowledgement that the applicant agrees to abide by them.
Declaration and consent: confirmation the information is accurate and consent to handling personal data.

Pros and cons of sending a membership application as a signing request

Pros

Each applicant signs their own private link, keeping personal details out of group threads
Status tracking shows who has opened, signed or not yet responded
Automatic reminders chase applicants who have not signed before expiry
A completion receipt gives a clear, dated record of the agreement

Cons and things to watch

Signing confirms agreement but does not verify the applicant's eligibility for you
You still need to collect any fees through your own payment process
Membership rules may require committee approval beyond the signed form
The tool does not replace advice on incorporation or association compliance

How to send a membership application with Cosign

Upload your membership application form to Cosign and preview it to check the fields and rules are correct.
Add the applicant as the signer using their name and email so they get a private link.
Set a 14-day expiry and add password protection if the form contains sensitive personal details.
Send the request, then track opens and signatures and keep the completion receipt on file.

Membership application request details

Email subject

Membership application request

Default message

Please review and sign this membership application.

Signer setup

Applicant

Suggested expiry

14 days

Button label

Submit membership application

Best fit

Membership teams

Membership application FAQs

Is an electronically signed membership application legally valid in Australia?

In Australia, electronic signatures are generally recognised under Commonwealth and state electronic transactions laws when the signer consents and is reliably identified. A membership application signed electronically is usually treated the same as one signed on paper. This is general information, not legal advice.

Can I keep a member's application private?

Yes. Cosign sends each applicant a private link, and the document is not published or indexed by search engines. Only people with the link can view it.

What happens if an applicant does not sign before the link expires?

The link stops working once the expiry you set is reached. You can send a fresh request, and Cosign can send reminders beforehand to prompt the applicant.

Do I still need to collect membership fees separately?

Yes. Cosign handles the signing and tracking of the application, not payment. You collect fees through your own invoicing or payment method.

Can I require a password to open the application?

Yes. You can add password protection so only the intended applicant can open the document, which is useful when it contains personal details.