diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 48f5002a85..7de37430b0 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -271,6 +271,17 @@ on Git 2.17+ you can mass signoff using rebase:
 git rebase --signoff origin/develop
 ```
 
+## Private sign off
+
+If you would like to provide your legal name privately to the Matrix.org
+Foundation (instead of in a public commit or comment), you can do so by emailing
+your legal name and a link to the pull request to dco@matrix.org. It helps to
+include "sign off" or similar in the subject line. You will then be instructed
+further.
+
+Once private sign off is complete, doing so for future contributions will not
+be required.
+
 # Review expectations
 
 See https://github.com/vector-im/element-meta/wiki/Review-process