28 USC 1746 Electronic Signature for SignNow
Award-winning eSignature solution
What 28 USC 1746 electronic signature means
28 USC 1746 electronic signature refers to electronically signed declarations that can replace a handwritten oath or declaration when the statute allows an unsworn statement under penalty of perjury. In practice, the signer completes a document, applies an electronic signature, and preserves proof of intent, identity, and timing. Platforms like SignNow help organize that process with templates, audit trails, signer routing, and secure storage so the final record is easier to verify and retain.
Legal standing and exclusions
Under ESIGN and UETA, an electronic signature can be admitted as evidence when the record shows intent, attribution, and integrity. signNow helps preserve those elements through audit trails and controlled workflows. Wills, certain court orders, and other excluded documents still need different execution methods.
Key features and benefits
SignNow supports signature workflows with auditability, mobile access, recycling of approved templates, and controls that fit regulated business records.
Mobile signing
Signers can complete agreements on desktop or mobile with a clear, guided flow. That helps teams reduce back-and-forth, while keeping the record tied to a documented signature event and an exportable audit trail.
Reusable templates
Templates let teams reuse approved layouts for leases, HR forms, and routine approvals. That shortens preparation time and keeps fields, signer order, and disclosure text consistent across repeat transactions.
Audit evidence
Audit trails capture key events, including identity checks, timestamps, and document activity. This gives legal and compliance teams a consistent record for internal review, dispute handling, and file retention.
Role routing
Role-based workflows help different departments send the right documents to the right people. That reduces accidental routing errors and supports approvals that depend on sequence, location, or business unit.
Cross-team use
The platform supports business use across sale, service, HR, and regulated workflows. Teams can standardize signature collection without switching between paper, scanned files, and separate approval tools.
Controlled records
Security controls include encryption and compliance-oriented features that support governed handling of signed records. That matters when documents contain PHI, financial data, or internal approvals that need careful access control.
How the signing flow works
A simple signing flow starts with document preparation, moves through delivery, and ends with a finalized record and proof of execution.
Prepare: Upload the file and place signature fields where needed. Distribute: Send the document to each signer with the correct order. Sign: Each signer reviews, signs, and receives a copy. Complete: The final record is saved with an audit trail.
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Quick signing steps
Use a simple sequence: verify the document, capture consent, route the file, and keep the completed record with proof of signing.
Check eligibility:
Confirm the document can use an electronic signature under U.S. law. Get consent:
Collect signer consent for electronic records and notices. Set the document:
Prepare the final file and place signature fields. Route for signing:
Send it to each signer in the correct order. Archive results:
Save the completed file and its audit trail.
Recommended workflow setup
A practical setup keeps identity checks, retention, and file protection aligned with ESIGN, UETA, and regulated recordkeeping needs.
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Authentication method | SMS OTP |
| Signature type | SES |
| Audit trail | Enabled |
| Document retention | 6 years (HIPAA 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2)) |
| Encryption | AES-256 and TLS 1.2/1.3 |
What the audit trail records
An audit trail shows how the record was signed, who acted, and whether the file stayed unchanged after completion.
Signer authentication:
Timestamp capture:
Document hashing:
Tamper seal:
Event log:
Trail export:
Authentication and certificate controls
PKI:
X.509 certificates:
Two-factor authentication:
SMS OTP:
ID verification:
Biometric verification:
Who uses it most
Legal teams
Legal teams use SignNow for contracts, NDAs, and settlement documents that need signer order, clear attribution, and stored proof of execution.
Operations and HR
Operations and HR teams use it for onboarding forms, policy acknowledgments, and invoices that move faster when edited, routed, and archived digitally.
Real-world workflow examples
These examples show how regulated teams and service organizations use SignNow for signing, routing, and recordkeeping.
NetSuite operations
A NetSuite operations leader needed flexible routing for different document formats.
- Matched signature requests to the right record type.
- Integrated with existing business systems.
The workflow gave the team flexibility without losing control over format, routing, and record consistency, which made internal and customer-facing approvals easier to manage.
Finance workflow
A finance team wanted faster approvals for invoices and tax forms.
- Collected approvals without paper delays.
- Kept records searchable for review.
Electronic signatures shortened the approval path while keeping each completed file organized for audit review, backup storage, and later retrieval across finance operations.
Pricing and plan features
This comparison uses verified pricing and product notes available for public plan information as of 2026.
| Features | SignNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | Dropbox Sign |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criteria | SignNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | Dropbox Sign |
| Starting price | $8/user/mo, annual billing | $15/user/mo, annual billing | $14/user/mo, annual billing | $19/user/mo, annual billing | $15/user/mo, annual billing |
| Free trial | 7-day trial | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified |
| Bulk send | Yes, Business Premium | Yes | Not verified | Yes | Not verified |
| Audit trail | Yes, included | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA compliant | Yes, BAA required | Yes, BAA available | Yes, BAA available | Not verified | Not verified |
Vendor comparison
This simple comparison highlights starting prices and core compliance features that matter when comparing legal eSignature tools.
| SignNow | DocuSign | Adobe Acrobat Sign | PandaDoc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criteria | SignNow | DocuSign | Adobe Acobat Sign |
| Starting price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo |
| Free trial | 7-day trial | Not verified | Not verified |
| Audit trail | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA support | Yes, BAA required | Yes, BAA available | Yes, BAA available |
Supported platforms and browsers
SignNow works across major browsers and operating systems, with mobile access available on iOS and Android for remote signing.
Browsers Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge Operating systems Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android Devices Desktop and mobile access
For controlled business deployments, browser support is only part of the setup. Teams should also consider device policies, SSO, encryption, and archival rules so signed records remain accessible, attributable, and defensible across desktop, tablet, and mobile workflows.
Processing timeframes
The signing process is usually fast, but preparation and archival still matter because they preserve a clean record of execution.
Document prep
Send to signers
Signer turnaround
Completion and archive
Document retention schedule
Different record classes follow different retention rules, so the signed file should be matched to the governing statute, regulation, or policy.
6 years for HIPAA records
6 years for securities records
Varies by tax rule
Depends on predicate rule
Policy-defined lifecycle
Rollout and retention timeline
A single timeline can cover adoption, first use, team onboarding, and the retention rules that keep signed records defensible.
Day 0:
Day 1:
Week 1:
After signing:
HIPAA records:
Tax records:
Broker-dealer records:
Policy review:
Document retention best practices
Retention works best when teams tie each signed document to a documented policy, export proof of signing, and preserve access logs alongside the record.
Set retention by record type
Save the full audit trail
Archive signed records securely
Review record rules annually
Document exclusions and state rules
Missing notarization
Wills excluded
State law may require wet ink
Certain court orders excluded
Sending and signing methods
- Use the web app when senders need full browser access, reusable templates, and a larger-screen review experience for contracts, HR packets, and legal agreements.
- Use the mobile app when signers are away from a desk and need camera capture, touch signing, or offline completion on iOS or Android.
- Use kiosk mode for in-person signing at an office, reception desk, or event station where one device serves multiple signers in sequence.
- Use shareable signing links when a document must reach many recipients quickly and the sender wants a simple distribution method without separate invitations.
FAQ and troubleshooting
These answers focus on eligibility, retention, authentication, and plan limits that affect legally defensible electronic signing workflows.
Check whether the file is an ESIGN and UETA-eligible agreement. signNow supports legally binding eSignatures, audit trails, templates, and mobile apps on paid plans like Business and Business Premium. If the form is excluded, use the required wet-ink or notarized process instead.
For HIPAA records, confirm a BAA is in place and that access controls, audit history, and retention settings match 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2). signNow supports HIPAA-aligned workflows when the customer uses the appropriate agreement and internal safeguards.
Audit trail issues usually come from missing signer events or incomplete export settings. In signNow, the completed PDF and audit history should be saved together so timestamp, identity, and event data remain with the record for evidence and retention.
If a signer cannot complete the request on a phone, check mobile app access and browser compatibility. signNow supports iOS and Android workflows, and desktop use works across Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge on Windows and macOS.
Bulk sending is included in Business Premium. If you need repeated distribution to multiple recipients, upgrade from Business when the workflow depends on high-volume invitation routing, while keeping the same audit and attribution controls.
For state-specific deed, will, or court-order questions, do not rely on a standard eSignature workflow alone. ESIGN and UETA do not override exclusions, and some documents still require notarization, witnesses, or another formal execution method.
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