Electronic Signature Date for Secure Signing
Award-winning eSignature solution
What electronic signature date means
Electronic signature date is the recorded time and date attached to an electronic signature when a person signs a document online or in a mobile app. In SignNow, that date becomes part of the audit trail that shows when the document was accepted, who signed it, and what actions occurred before completion. For U.S. transactions, the date matters because it helps prove intent, sequence, and integrity under ESIGN and UETA. The record can then be stored, exported, and reviewed as evidence if a dispute arises.
Why electronic signature date matters
Electronic signature date helps show when a signer acted, which supports enforceability and evidence quality under ESIGN and UETA. In SignNow, the date is paired with audit trails, timestamps, and identity details, which can reduce manual follow-up and make completed records easier to verify in U.S. business transactions.
How electronic signature date works
Electronic signature date records when a signer completed a document, along with related evidence that supports attribution, integrity, and compliance.
Prepare: Create the document and define who must sign. Deliver: Send it through SignNow or a signing link. Sign: Signer reviews, authenticates, and signs. Finish: The completed record is stored with its audit trail.
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Certificates and signer authentication
PKI:
2FA:
SMS OTP:
ID verification:
Unique attribution:
Validation:
Mobile requirements for electronic signature date
Signers can use iOS and Android apps for electronic signature date with secure transport over TLS 1.2/1.3. Supported mobile flows include the SignNow iOS app on iPhone and iPad, and the SignNow Android app on Android 10 or later. Camera-based document capture and offline signing help when a paper form has to be digitized before signing.
iPhone and iPad iOS 15+, SignNow iOS app Android devices Android 10+, SignNow Android app Mobile signing Offline capture, camera import
For regulated workflows, managed devices, signed audit trails, and role-based access matter more than device brand. SignNow can fit mobile-first teams that need API access, SSO, or archive policies tied to HIPAA, GDPR, or internal retention rules. When identity assurance is higher, pair mobile signing with SMS OTP or ID verification.
Who uses electronic signature date
Real estate teams
Lease packets, rental applications, and closing documents move faster when agents and coordinators can collect signatures from buyers, tenants, and property owners without printing.
Healthcare offices
Patient intake, consent forms, and release authorizations stay organized when staff can collect signatures on desktop or mobile with HIPAA-aware controls.
Roles and permissions in SignNow
Administrators in finance and healthcare use SignNow permissions to control who can send, edit, and manage templates. Shared templates reduce setup work, while delegated sending lets approved staff handle routine packets without exposing broader account controls or audit history to every user. Operations and legal teams rely on role-based access, reusable forms, and account-level settings to keep signing workflows consistent. In larger deployments, admins can provision users centrally, limit document access, and maintain separate responsibility for template creation, sending, and review.
Processing times for electronic signature date
Most electronic signature date workflows move fast, but each stage still needs clean setup, delivery, signing, and archival.
Document prep
Delivery
Signer turnaround
Completion
Record retention by rule
Retention rules vary by document class, so keep the signed record together with its audit trail and related evidence under the controlling U.S. rule.
6 years for HIPAA records
6 years for broker-dealer records
Tax records retention
Securities record retention
Keep signed originals
Recommended setup for electronic signature date
Use a documented setup that supports attribution, retention, and evidence quality without adding unnecessary friction to routine signing.
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Authentication method | SMS OTP and ID verification |
| Signature type | SES with audit trail |
| Audit trail | Enable full event logging |
| Document retention | Apply policy by record class |
| Encryption | TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256 |
Inside the SignNow audit trail
The audit trail shows how SignNow records identity, time, and document integrity events around each signature.
Authenticate:
Timestamp:
Hash:
Seal:
Log:
Export:
Record-keeping best practices
Keep the signed file, audit trail, and policy evidence together so the completion date remains defensible during later review or inspection.
Set retention by record class
Export the full audit trail
Restrict archive access
Bundle consent evidence
Frequently asked questions about electronic signature date
This FAQ addresses signing records, compliance requirements, and product limitations that affect electronic signature date in SignNow.
If an audit trail looks incomplete, check whether the sender used SignNow’s document history and timestamped event log. The platform records signer activity, IP details when available, and completion status, which supports ESIGN and UETA evidence.
If you need HIPAA support, confirm that your account includes a BAA and that signed records stay encrypted at rest with AES-256. SignNow’s compliance materials note HIPAA support with a BAA, which matters for PHI workflows.
If a signer cannot open a request link, resend it from the web app or generate a quick invite link in Business Premium. For regulated workflows, make sure the signer receives the consent notice before signing.
If a mobile signer needs offline access, use the SignNow iOS or Android app on supported devices. Mobile signing is valid under ESIGN and UETA when the signer’s intent, consent, and identity are preserved in the record.
If you need more assurance than email alone, use SMS OTP or ID verification. SignNow supports stronger signer authentication options on higher tiers, and those controls align better with NIST AAL2-style risk before signing.
If you need EU higher-assurance signing, note that eIDAS QES requires a qualified certificate and qualified signature creation device. SignNow’s Site License tier is the product option tied to that higher-assurance support.
Feature comparison across vendors
This comparison highlights a few legal and workflow features that matter when evaluating electronic signature date tools.
| SignNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESIGN and UETA support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Audit trail included | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Signer authentication options | SMS OTP | ID verification | SMS OTP |
| Higher-assurance tiers | Site License | Enterprise | Enterprise |
Key performance indicators that demonstrate SignNow's proven track record.