Electronic signatures, which indicate a person’s consent to an agreement, have been widely accepted and used in many countries around the world for years. But are electronic signatures legal? The short answer is yes, electronic signatures are legal.
Over one billion users across numerous nations trust their digital signature to attest agreements; this form of authentication has also proven itself more secure than paper alternatives due to the drastically reduced risk of forgery. Have you ever wondered what makes an electronic signature, or e-signature, legally binding?
In 2000 the United States government passed two major pieces of legislation – the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN) and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA). These laws confirm that digital signatures are just as valid a form of agreement between parties compared to traditional written methods.
Different capture technologies can be used when creating these signatures, including attaching images to documents or using Public Key Infrastructure-based systems. Next time you need to make sure your document is securely signed electronically… think about all the ways e-signatures provide peace of mind!
Agreeing to terms on websites, providing signatures for mobile apps, entering PINs and names online or employing an e-signature solution – these are just some methods available when capturing electronic agreements.
Do electronic signatures have legal force?
When combined with a tamper-proof system, strong authentication, world-class security, and an audit trail, electronic signatures provide stronger evidence that is admissible in court than a simple wet signature or a scanned image of a signature on a PDF.
What types of documents can be signed electronically?
- Offer letters, new hire documentation, and personnel policy updates.
- Confidentiality agreements and statements of work.
- Master service agreements.
- Account opening documents.
- Insurance applications and claims.
- Patient admission forms