What is an electronic signature?
An electronic signature (eSignature) is digital information attached to an electronic document that confirms the signer’s identity and indicates their intent to approve or sign the document.
How are electronic signatures better than handwritten (wet) signatures?
Electronic signatures offer several advantages over traditional handwritten signatures:
Easy to use – Documents can be signed quickly using a mouse, stylus, or finger on a mobile device, with no special skills required.
Faster turnaround – Even when signers are in different locations or countries, documents can be signed within minutes, as long as participants are online.
Lower costs – eSignatures eliminate expenses related to paper, ink, printing, mailing, faxing, storage, and energy usage. For larger organizations, this can result in significant annual savings.
Secure and compliant – SignNow supports signer authentication, structured workflows, and detailed document histories. Comprehensive audit trails capture key data such as signer email addresses and IP addresses to ensure authenticity.
Are electronic signatures legal?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally binding in all 50 U.S. states under two key laws: the U.S. Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN, 2000) and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA, 1999).
eSignatures are also recognized in the European Union under the eIDAS Regulation and are legally accepted in many other countries worldwide, each governed by its own electronic signature laws and standards.
What security and legal regulations does SignNow comply with?
SignNow complies with leading security and compliance standards, including SOC 2 Type II, PCI DSS, HIPAA, eIDAS, 21 CFR Part 11, and GDPR.
Customers are responsible for configuring and using SignNow in a way that aligns with their organization’s specific legal, regulatory, and industry requirements.
Learn more about SignNow security and compliance here:
https://www.signnow.com/security
How do I know SignNow electronic signatures are trustworthy?
SignNow eSignatures are legally binding, secure, and built to meet global compliance standards. SignNow complies with the U.S. ESIGN Act and UETA, ensuring eSignature validity across all 50 U.S. states and in many countries worldwide.
To further enhance security, legality, and trust, SignNow provides:
Two-factor authentication – Adds an extra layer of identity verification.
21 CFR Part 11 compliance – Supports regulated industries with strict audit and validation requirements.
Digital eSignature certificates – Provide verifiable proof of each signing event.
Court-admissible audit trails – Capture detailed signing history, including timestamps, IP addresses, and signer information.
Advanced threat protection – Protects documents from unauthorized access, alteration, or tampering.