Create Electronic Signature Documents With SignNow

Award-winning eSignature solution

What electronic signature documents are

Create electronic signature documents means preparing a digital file so one or more people can review, sign, and return it online. In practice, the sender uploads a document, adds signature fields, assigns signers, and sends a secure signing link. Each signer verifies identity, signs from a browser or mobile device, and the system records the action, time, and document history. The result is a completed record that can be stored, shared, and audited without paper handling.

Why electronic signatures matter

Create electronic signature documents reduces paper handling, speeds approvals, and preserves a record of consent. Under ESIGN and UETA, properly executed electronic signatures can be enforceable in the U.S., provided intent, consent, and record retention requirements are met.

Why teams look for DocuSign alternatives

Common implementation challenges

Signer consent is missing, so the record may not satisfy ESIGN disclosure requirements.
Identity checks are too weak, which can make attribution harder to defend later.
Documents move without an audit trail, leaving gaps in evidence and version history.
Retention rules are unclear, so signed records may be deleted before policy deadlines.

Real estate

Real estate teams send leases, disclosures, and rental applications for remote signing.

Healthcare

Healthcare groups collect patient forms, consent records, and HIPAA-related acknowledgments.

People who rely on signNow

A director of NetSuite operations at Xerox uses signNow to route the right documents to the right people in the right format. The workflow matters when approvals depend on system data, document versioning, and consistent routing across business units.
A founder at Martin Properties uses signNow to execute lease and property documents online while keeping compliance and mobile access in view. The use case fits teams that need fast turnaround, clear records, and signing from the office or field.

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Best ROI. Our customers achieve an average 7x ROI within the first six months.
Scales with your use cases. From SMBs to mid-market, airSlate SignNow delivers results for businesses of all sizes.
Intuitive UI and API. Sign and send documents from your apps in minutes.

Document setup

Upload a file, place signature fields, and send it for signing without reformatting the original document.

Audit visibility

Track every signer action, time stamp, and status change in one record for later review.

Reusable templates

Use templates for repeat agreements, intake forms, and approval packets to reduce manual setup.

Mobile signing

Collect signatures on phones, tablets, and desktops with the same document flow.

Flexible routing

Route documents in sequence or in parallel when multiple signers need different signing order.

Completed records

Store completed files with a clear history that supports internal review and dispute response.

Integrations for connected workflows

Connected systems move documents, signer data, and completed records between signNow and the tools teams already use every day.

How the signing flow works

The signing flow follows a simple sequence from document preparation to final storage, with each step recorded for review.

Prepare file: Upload the document and add signature fields.
Route document: Assign signers and set the signing order.
Deliver request: Send a secure signing request by email or link.
Complete and save: Collect signatures and store the completed record.

Quick steps to create signature documents

Use a short setup process to prepare, send, and track documents for electronic signature.

Upload file:
Upload the document you want signed.
Add fields:
Place signature, date, and initial fields.
Set recipients:
Choose signers and order of signing.
Send document:
Send the request and monitor status.

Setting	Recommendation
Authentication method	SMS OTP
Signature type	SES
Audit trail	Enabled
Document retention	6 years
Encryption	TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256

Platform and device requirements

Create electronic signature documents in signNow works across major browsers and mobile operating systems, with secure connections for signing and review.

Desktop browsers Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari supported.
Operating systems Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android supported.
Mobile access Mobile signing works in signNow apps.

For regulated workflows, managed devices, current browser versions, and stable network access help preserve session integrity, authentication, and audit records. Mobile apps on iOS and Android support signing on the move, while desktop browsers remain the best fit for document preparation and review.

Security and compliance controls

Encryption:

TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit

Data protection:

AES-256 at rest

Security report:

SOC 2 Type II available

Information security:

ISO 27001 certified

Healthcare use:

HIPAA support with BAA

Regulated records:

21 CFR Part 11 controls

Xerox operations

A Xerox operations leader needed flexible routing for documents tied to NetSuite.

Right signatures on the right documents
NetSuite-based routing and format control

The workflow reduced manual coordination and kept document routing aligned with system data and business rules.

Real estate founder

A Martin Properties founder needed online execution for property documents with compliance and mobile access.

Online execution with built-in security
Mobile and offline access for forms

The process supported faster turnaround while keeping records organized for property transactions and internal review.

Best practices for electronic signatures

A careful setup helps teams keep signatures defensible, organized, and easy to manage across departments and document types.

Define signer roles clearly

Use clear signer roles, required fields, and a defined signing order before sending the document. This reduces mistakes and keeps the workflow easy to follow for every participant.

Match identity checks to risk

Capture consent and identity evidence before signature collection when the transaction needs stronger attribution. Keep the method consistent across similar documents so records are easier to review later.

Standardize repeat document types

Use templates for repeat forms, agreements, and approvals to keep field placement and wording consistent. Templates also reduce setup time and help teams avoid version drift.

Plan retention in advance

Set retention and access rules before rollout so completed records stay available for the required period. Align storage practices with HIPAA, finance, or internal policy needs.

Troubleshooting and FAQs

These answers focus on plan limits, compliance requirements, and recordkeeping questions that affect electronic signature workflows.

signNow Business includes legally binding eSignatures, audit trails, templates, mobile apps, and unlimited users. If you need HIPAA support, a BAA is required. For higher controls, Enterprise and Site License add advanced options.

signNow supports ESIGN and UETA compliance for U.S. transactions when the signer intent, consent, and record retention requirements are met. For healthcare records, HIPAA retention is 6 years under 45 CFR §164.530(j)(2).

If a signer cannot complete the flow, check the email link, browser session, and authentication method. signNow supports browser and mobile signing, and stronger methods such as SMS OTP can improve attribution for sensitive documents.

Bulk send is included in Business Premium, while Enterprise adds advanced signer authentication and formula fields. If your plan lacks a feature, compare the plan name against the feature list before changing the workflow.

For HIPAA workflows, signNow can be used with a BAA and appropriate access controls. The signed record should remain encrypted, tracked, and retained for 6 years when it contains PHI.

If you need a court-ready record, use the audit trail export and keep the completed PDF with timestamps, signer history, and document actions. That evidence supports authentication under FRE Rules 901 and 902.

signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc
ESIGN and UETA	Yes	Yes	Yes
Audit trail	Yes	Yes	Yes
Starting price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo
Free trial	7-day trial	Not verified	Not verified
Envelope cap	No cap	100 envelopes/year	Not verified

Day 0:

Set up the account, templates, and user roles.

Day 1:

Send the first document for signature.

Week 1:

Onboard the team and review audit records.

7-day trial:

signNow includes a 7-day free trial.

HIPAA retention:

Keep signed PHI records for 6 years.

FINRA retention:

Broker-dealer records often require 6 years.

ESIGN consent:

Capture consent before electronic delivery.

UETA adoption:

UETA is adopted in 49 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Risks of improper use

Weak attribution

Document may be disputed.

Missing consent

Record may be excluded.

Incomplete history

Audit evidence may fail.

Early deletion

Retention violation may occur.

Unsecured PHI

HIPAA exposure may increase.

Poor signer intent

Enforceability may weaken.

Authenticate signer:

Verify the signer through the chosen authentication method.

Capture timestamps:

Record the UTC timestamp for each action.

Generate hash:

Hash the document before and after signing.

Seal document:

Apply a tamper-evident seal to the file.

Archive record:

Store the signed PDF with its history.

Retrieve audit trail:

Export the audit trail for review or evidence.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free trial	7-day trial	Not verified	Not verified	Not verified	Not verified
Bulk send	Business Premium	Not verified	Not verified	Not verified	Not verified
Audit trail	Included	Included	Included	Included	Included
HIPAA compliance	BAA required	BAA available	BAA available	Not verified	Not verified

28M+Documents signed

13+Years in business

4.6/5Average G2 rating