Electronic Signature With Date and Time Stamp for SignNow
Award-winning eSignature solution
What an electronic signature with date and time stamp is
An electronic signature with date and time stamp is a digital signing record that shows who signed a document, when they signed it, and what they agreed to. In signNow, the signer reviews the file, applies a signature, and the system records the event with a time-stamped audit trail. That record helps show intent, document integrity, and signing sequence. For U.S. transactions, this supports enforceable electronic records under ESIGN and UETA when consent, attribution, and retention requirements are met.
Why date and time stamps matter
A dated signature record helps prove timing, sequence, and intent, which reduces disputes and speeds document turnaround. Under ESIGN and UETA, it supports enforceability when the signer can be identified and the record is retained with reliable evidence.
Common implementation challenges
Missing signer authentication can weaken attribution when a document is challenged later. Incomplete audit trails make it harder to prove who signed and when. Poor retention practices can leave signed records unavailable during audits or disputes. Weak workflow controls can create version confusion, duplicate sends, or unsigned attachments.
Who uses dated eSignatures
Real estate
Real estate teams use dated signatures for leases, disclosures, and closing documents.
Healthcare
Healthcare organizations use them for patient forms, consent records, and HIPAA workflows.
People who benefit most
A NetSuite operations director at Xerox uses signNow to route the right documents to the right people in the right format. The date and time stamp helps preserve order across integrated workflows and supports faster internal approvals without losing traceability. A founder at Martin Properties uses signNow to execute lease and property documents online with compliance controls. The timestamped record helps support mobile signing, offline completion, and a clear signing history when multiple parties need to review the same file.
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Core features and benefits
signNow combines signing, timestamps, and recordkeeping so teams can manage approvals with less manual follow-up and clearer evidence.
Time stamp
Records each signing event with a clear time stamp, helping teams show sequence, intent, and completion without manual logging.
Audit trail
Creates a secure audit trail that tracks signer actions, document views, and completion details for later review.
Mobile signing
Supports mobile signing on phones and tablets, so documents can be completed away from the office.
Simple recipient flow
Keeps the signing flow simple for recipients, which helps reduce delays and abandoned requests.
Record retention
Stores completed records in a format that supports internal review, retention, and dispute response.
Legal support
Works with business controls that support ESIGN and UETA enforceability in U.S. transactions.
How the signing flow works
The signing process follows a short sequence that records the signature, time, and final document state in one workflow.
Open document: The signer opens the document and reviews the request. Sign and record: The system captures the signature event and timestamp. Log activity: The audit trail logs identity, timing, and actions. Save record: The completed file is stored for later retrieval.
Quick setup steps
Use a short setup sequence to prepare the document, route it to the right people, and capture the signed record.
Upload file:
Upload the document you want signed. Set recipients:
Add recipients and assign signing order. Add fields:
Place signature and date fields. Send request:
Send the request and monitor completion.
Recommended workflow settings
Use a setup that supports attribution, retention, and secure handling of signed records for U.S. business and regulated workflows.
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Authentication method | SMS OTP |
| Signature type | SES |
| Audit trail | Enabled |
| Document retention | 6 years (HIPAA 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2)) |
| Encryption | TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256 |
Browser and device requirements
signNow works in modern browsers and on mobile devices, with secure transport and app support for signing on the go.
Desktop browsers Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari support web signing. Operating systems Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android are supported. Mobile apps signNow mobile apps are available for iOS and Android.
For enterprise use, managed devices, SSO, API access, and retention controls matter more than the device itself. Keep browsers updated, use supported operating systems, and confirm mobile app policies before rolling out regulated workflows.
Security and compliance controls
Transport security:
Storage encryption:
Security certification:
Information security:
Healthcare compliance:
Legal framework:
Real-world use cases
These examples show how signNow supports timestamped signing in workflows where traceability, speed, and record integrity matter.
Enterprise operations
A NetSuite operations leader needed faster routing across document types and formats.
- Xerox used signNow with NetSuite integration.
- The timestamped record preserved signing order.
The workflow improved document control and made it easier to match signatures to the right records in the right sequence.
Real estate
A property founder needed online execution for leases and related forms.
- Martin Properties completed documents on mobile and offline.
- Built-in security supported compliance-focused execution.
The team could complete property documents remotely while keeping a clear record of who signed, when they signed, and which file version was completed.
Best practices for reliable signing
A few process controls can make timestamped eSignatures easier to defend, review, and retain across routine and regulated workflows.
Set signing order
Match authentication to risk
Apply retention rules
Verify the final record
Rollout and retention timeline
This timeline combines adoption steps with retention and policy facts that matter for U.S. signing workflows.
Setup day:
First send:
Team onboarding:
HIPAA retention:
ESIGN consent:
UETA recordkeeping:
Free trial:
Enterprise rollout:
Risks of poor implementation
Weak attribution
Missing audit trail
Enforceability challenge
Retention gap
What the audit trail records
The audit trail shows how the signed record was created, protected, and retrieved after completion.
Signer authentication:
Timestamp capture:
Document hashing:
Tamper-evident sealing:
Audit trail storage:
Audit trail export:
Vendor comparison at a glance
The table compares core signing features and limits across leading vendors using verified pricing and plan data where available.
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audit trail | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA support | 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 |
Pricing and plan features
Pricing below reflects verified entry-tier data and plan notes from the provided ground truth.
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $8/user/mo, annual | $15/user/mo, annual | $14/user/mo, annual | $19/user/mo, annual | $15/user/mo, annual |
| Free trial | 7 days, no card | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified |
| Bulk send | Business Premium | Available on paid tiers | Available on paid tiers | Available on paid tiers | Available on paid tiers |
| Audit trail | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| HIPAA compliance | BAA required | BAA available | BAA available | Not verified | Not verified |
FAQ and troubleshooting
These answers focus on signNow features, plan differences, and U.S. compliance rules that affect timestamped electronic signatures.
signNow records signer actions in the audit trail, including timestamps and document events. If a file looks incomplete, confirm the recipient finished the workflow and that the completed version was saved, not a draft. Business and Enterprise plans support stronger workflow controls and compliance features.
For HIPAA workflows, signNow can be used with a BAA and retention controls. HIPAA does not require a specific eSignature tool, but it does require access controls, audit controls, and integrity protections under 45 CFR 164.312. Keep signed PHI records for 6 years under 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2).
ESIGN and UETA support electronic signatures when the signer consents and the record is attributable to that person. signNow audit trails help show intent, identity, and timing. If a document is disputed, export the completed record and audit trail together so the signing history stays intact.
The Business plan includes legally binding eSignatures, audit trails, templates, mobile apps, ISO 27001, SOC 2, and GDPR. Business Premium adds bulk send, kiosk mode, request payments, and quick invite links. Enterprise adds formula fields, conditional fields, and advanced signer authentication.
For regulated records, keep the signed PDF and its audit trail together. signNow records the signing history, and completed files can be retained for later review. If a policy requires longer retention, follow the governing rule for the document type, such as HIPAA or financial recordkeeping.
signNow supports mobile signing on iOS and Android. If a signer cannot complete the process, check browser compatibility, app permissions, and whether the document was sent to the correct email address. Updated Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari browsers usually avoid most viewing issues.
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