Are digitally signed documents safe?

eSignatures are all the rage now in a paperless world. Instead of printing a document, signing it, scanning it, then finally sending it back, you can instead sign it with a few clicks online and it’s all done. This certainly saves a lot of time, but companies worry about the safety and legality of digital signatures, especially when critical agreements depend on the validity of an eSignature. So, are digitally signed documents safe?

Yes, digitally signed documents are safe. Digital signatures are especially safe, because they use a digital certificate to prove the authenticity of the document, the identity of the signatory, and that the document has not been tampered with. Digital signatures are now perfectly valid to comply with even the most demanding legal and regulatory requirements.

Are digitally signed documents legally binding?

Digitally signed documents are legally binding in most countries, carrying the same legal weight as a traditional, paper-based signature in countries like the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and many others.

What is an eSignature?

An eSignature is an electronic signature, the term eSignature is also used for digital signatures as well, since both are digital data used to show a document has been signed by the signatory.

What is the difference between an electronic signature and a digital signature?

Both an electronic signature and digital signature are legally binding in most countries. The difference between an electronic signature and digital signature is that an electronic symbol is an electronic symbol attached to the document, such as your actual signature, whereas a digital signature guarantees that the document is authentic. A digital signature guarantees a document proves it’s authentic with a digital certificate, which can be used to validate the authenticity of the document.

What should I use to sign documents digitally?

There are plenty of apps you can use to sign documents, HelloSign and DocuSign are two great options. With both, you can sign documents with a few clicks, as well as get others to sign legally binding documents with an eSignature too.