Digital Signature and Digital Certificate for SignNow
Award-winning eSignature solution
What digital signatures and certificates do
A digital signature and digital certificate combine identity verification and cryptographic protection for electronic documents. The certificate binds a signer or organization to a public key, while the signature proves the document came from that signer and has not changed. In U.S. transactions, this helps support authenticity, integrity, and admissibility under ESIGN and UETA. SignNow applies audit trails, access controls, and encryption to support those records in regular business and regulated workflows.
Signer authentication and certificates
PKI foundation:
X.509 certificate:
Two-factor authentication:
SMS OTP:
ID verification:
Revocation checks:
How the audit trail works
The audit trail records each action in sequence so teams can later verify who signed, when they signed, and what changed.
Signer authentication:
Timestamp capture:
Document hashing:
Tamper-evident sealing:
Audit log retention:
Audit export:
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How the process works
The workflow is sequential: send the file, verify the signer, record the action, and store the completed record for later access.
Send: The signer receives a document with guided fields and a secure link. Sign: The signer verifies identity and applies the signature. Record: The system records timestamps, hashes, and action history. Store: The completed file is stored for later use and review.
Processing timeline
Most workflows move quickly once the document is prepared, but completion still depends on signer availability, review needs, and approval order.
Document preparation
Delivery to signers
Signer turnaround
Completion and archival
Practical signing best practices
A clear signing process reduces disputes, protects records, and helps teams keep identity, integrity, and retention controls aligned with the document’s legal purpose.
Use stronger verification for sensitive records
Preserve complete signing evidence
Limit template and admin access
Align retention with the rule
Key capabilities and benefits
SignNow organizes signing, security, and recordkeeping while keeping the document trail readable for legal, compliance, and operations teams.
Identity binding
Links signer identity to the signed file, helping teams prove who approved a record and whether the content changed after signing.
Tamper evidence
Creates a tamper-evident record that supports audit review, dispute handling, and later verification of document integrity.
Audit trail
Stores a clear signing history with timestamps, signer actions, and document events for evidence and internal control.
Mobile access
Supports mobile signing on iOS and Android, including offline workflows for field teams and remote approvals.
Encryption
Applies encryption in transit and at rest to protect document data during transfer and storage.
Compliance support
Fits U.S. compliance requirements for ESIGN, UETA, HIPAA, and similar rules when configured correctly.
Recommended setup for digital signatures
Use stronger identity checks, retain complete signing evidence, and align storage and encryption controls with U.S. compliance needs.
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Authentication method | Two-factor authentication with ID verification |
| Signature type | AES at minimum |
| Audit trail | Enable timestamps and event logs |
| Document retention | 6 years for HIPAA records |
| Encryption | TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256 at rest |
Pricing and plan comparison
Pricing snapshot based on verified 2026 entry-tier data and published plan details. Feature availability varies by tier, so unknown items are marked Not verified.
| Features | SignNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plan / Feature | 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 days, no card | 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 compliant | BAA available | BAA available | BAA available | Not verified | Not verified |
Platform and system support
SignNow works in modern browsers and on major desktop and mobile operating systems, with secure transport depending on current TLS support and standard account access.
Browser support Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge Desktop support Windows and macOS desktop workflows Mobile support iOS and Android mobile access
Enterprise deployments often add managed devices, API access, and SSO controls so administrators can keep user provisioning, signing rights, and certificate-related policies consistent across teams.
Vendor feature snapshot
This comparison highlights a narrow set of workflow and compliance features; availability can vary by plan, so it should be checked before purchase.
| SignNow | DocuSign | Adobe Acrobat Sign | PandaDoc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audit trail included | Recommended | No | No |
| HIPAA support | Recommended | No | No |
| Mobile apps | Recommended | No | No |
| Bulk send | Recommended | No | No |
| API access | Recommended | No | No |
FAQ and troubleshooting
These answers focus on plan limits, compliance controls, and record evidence so teams can diagnose signing issues without guessing at the legal standard.
SignNow Business includes legally binding eSignatures, audit trails, templates, and mobile apps. If a signer needs stronger attribution, use advanced authentication or ID verification and keep the completed audit trail for ESIGN and UETA evidence.
signNow Business Premium adds bulk send and quick invite links. If you need role-based routing or custom controls, verify whether the plan includes the needed workflow feature before sending regulated documents.
HIPAA use requires a BAA and appropriate safeguards. SignNow supports HIPAA compliance when the BAA is in place, and the workflow also needs access controls, encryption, and preserved activity history.
For 21 CFR Part 11 workflows, use unique user IDs, two-factor authentication, time-stamped audit trails, and document history retention. Validate the system before using it for FDA-regulated records.
If a signature is disputed, check whether the record shows intent, attribution, timestamps, and document integrity. Those elements help the signature remain defensible under ESIGN, UETA, and FRE Rule 901.
Mobile signing works on SignNow iOS and Android apps, including offline use. If a file won’t open on mobile, confirm the PDF format, app version, and device OS before resending.
Key performance indicators that demonstrate SignNow's proven track record.