Create Your Electronic Signature With SignNow
Award-winning eSignature solution
What an electronic signature is
An electronic signature is a digital symbol, process, or action that shows a person meant to sign a record. In SignNow, the signer reviews the document, completes any required fields, and confirms the signature through a browser or mobile device. The system then stores the completed file, signing history, and audit details so the transaction can be reviewed later. U.S. rules such as ESIGN and UETA generally support this approach when consent, attribution, and record integrity are maintained.
Why electronic signatures matter
Electronic signatures reduce paper handling, shorten approval cycles, and preserve a usable record of consent. Under ESIGN and UETA, a properly captured eSignature can carry the same legal effect as a handwritten signature, provided intent, attribution, and record retention are supported.
Key features for electronic signatures
SignNow supports routine signing, controlled access, and recordkeeping so businesses can complete agreements efficiently while preserving legal and compliance evidence.
Fast workflow
Create and send documents with clear signer steps, automatic reminders, and mobile signing. Teams can reduce manual follow-up while keeping each signature event tied to a verifiable record.
Reusable templates
Use templates to standardize repeat documents and reduce setup time for contracts, HR forms, and approvals. Shared fields help teams keep documents consistent across departments and locations.
Audit trail
Capture signer activity in an audit trail with timestamps, access events, and document history. That record supports internal review and helps show how the document was completed.
Security controls
Protect signed records with encryption in transit and at rest. Access controls, authentication options, and identity checks help reduce unauthorized access during the signing process.
Mobile access
Support mobile signing on iOS and Android so people can review and sign documents away from the office. That helps shorten turnaround time across distributed teams.
Integrations
Connect SignNow with business systems to move signed files into CRM, ERP, storage, and project tools. Connected workflows reduce duplicate data entry and keep records organized.
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Recommended signing setup
Use a setup that balances user access, evidence quality, and record retention for U.S. business signatures.
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Authentication method | SMS OTP |
| Signature type | SES |
| Audit trail | Enabled |
| Document retention | 6 years |
| Encryption | TLS 1.2/1.3, AES-256 |
Signer identity and certificate controls
PKI support:
X.509 linkage:
2FA:
SMS OTP:
ID verification:
Signer attribution:
Risks of improper signing
Missing intent
Poor attribution
Weak controls
Thin records
Create and send a signature request
Follow a short workflow to prepare a document, assign fields, and send it for signature.
Upload file:
Upload the document you want signed. Place fields:
Add signature, date, and text fields. Set recipients:
Enter signer email addresses and order. Send document:
Send the document for review and signing.
What the audit trail records
The audit trail shows how the signature was created, who acted, and when each event occurred.
Signer authentication:
Timestamp capture:
Document hashing:
Tamper-evident sealing:
Event logging:
Audit export:
Record retention schedule
Keep signed records according to the governing rule for each record class. Retention periods vary by industry, record type, and regulatory framework.
6 years for HIPAA records
7 years for tax records
6 years for broker records
Retention per rule
No fixed period
Vendor comparison at a glance
Compare legal basics and pricing signals across leading eSignature vendors used for U.S. business workflows.
| SignNow | DocuSign | Adobe Acrobat Sign | DropBox Sign |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legally binding eSignatures | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Audit trail included | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA support available | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Envelope cap | No cap | 100/year | Not verified |
Documents people sign electronically
Business agreements
Contracts, NDAs, and invoices move faster when sales and finance teams can route approvals electronically.
Administrative documents
HR forms, consent forms, and onboarding packets fit mobile signing and centralized recordkeeping.
Business types that benefit most
Different organizations use electronic signatures for different workflows, but the core need is the same: controlled signing with a usable record.
Solo law practices use eSignatures for client agreements, intake forms, and consent documents that need a quick turnaround and a clear record of intent. Healthcare organizations use SignNow for patient intake, consent, and internal approvals where HIPAA-aware controls and audit trails matter. Enterprise operations teams use templates, permissions, and integrations to manage high-volume signing across departments without manual routing delays.
These tasks are executed by both individual contributors and centralized administrators depending on organizational policy and required controls.
FAQ and troubleshooting
These questions address legal status, plan limits, compliance requirements, and recordkeeping issues that matter when organizations use electronic signatures.
SignNow supports ESIGN and UETA workflows, but enforceability still depends on consent, attribution, and a complete record of the transaction.
HIPAA use requires a BAA, access controls, audit logging, and retention practices that protect PHI. SignNow’s HIPAA support depends on configuration and agreement terms.
Bulk send is included in Business Premium, while Enterprise adds advanced signer authentication and formulas. If a feature seems missing, check the plan level first.
Audit trails capture signer activity, timestamps, and document history. If a record is disputed, export the completed file and history for review.
21 CFR Part 11 workflows need validation, strong access control, and secure audit trails. SignNow can support the framework when the process is configured correctly.
E-signatures are not appropriate for every document. Wills and certain court orders are excluded under U.S. law, and notarization rules still apply where required.
Key performance indicators that demonstrate SignNow's proven track record.