Electronic Signature
A digital indication of intent to be bound by a contract — such as a typed name, drawn signature, or clicked acceptance. Under US law, a signature or record cannot be denied effect solely because it is electronic.
What it means
In the US, the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 7001 et seq.) and the state-adopted Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) provide that a signature or record cannot be denied legal effect solely because it is electronic. Both require: intent to sign, consent to do business electronically, association of the signature with the record, and record retention. Some documents are excluded — wills, divorces, court orders, and certain notices — and many jurisdictions impose extra requirements for notarized documents.
State-by-state
Electronic Signature is treated differently depending on jurisdiction. These guides cover the state-specific statutes and disclosures:
Read more
- Electronic Signatures: The Complete Legal Guide — Learn how electronic signatures work, what makes them legally binding under ESIGN and UETA, which documents require wet ink, and best practices for signing contracts online.