Electronic Signature With Date And Time Stamp for SignNow
Award-winning eSignature solution
Electronic signature with timestamp overview
An electronic signature with date and time stamp is a digital approval linked to a specific signer, document, and signing event. In SignNow, the process captures the signer’s identity, the signature action, and a time-stamped audit trail that records document delivery, completion, and archiving. Under U.S. law, ESIGN and UETA recognize electronic signatures as valid when the signer intends to sign and the record can be attributed to that person.
Legal value and enforceability
An electronic signature with date and time stamp matters because it links the signer, the record, and the signing event in one traceable transaction. Under ESIGN and UETA, that record can be enforceable evidence when the signer’s intent, consent, and attribution are preserved.
Security and compliance controls
Encryption in transit:
Encryption at rest:
SOC 2 Type II:
ISO 27001:
GDPR:
HIPAA:
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Recommended signature workflow settings
Set the signing process for clear attribution, defensible records, and controlled retention across regulated U.S. business workflows.
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Authentication method | SMS OTP |
| Signature type | SES with audit trail |
| Audit trail | Enable full event logging |
| Document retention | 6 years (HIPAA 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2)) |
| Encryption | TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256 |
How the signing flow works
The signing flow moves from document preparation to delivery, signature completion, and archived record storage in a traceable sequence.
Prepare the file: Upload the document and place the signature fields. Deliver for signature: Send it to one or more signers. Complete signing: Signer reviews, signs, and returns the record. Archive the record: The system stores the signed file and history.
What the audit trail records
The audit trail captures how a signed record was authenticated, sealed, and preserved for later review or evidence.
Signer authentication:
Timestamp capture:
Document hashing:
Seal the record:
Event history:
Export audit trail:
Quick signing steps
Use a short workflow to prepare, route, send, and track a document in SignNow.
Prepare the file:
Upload the document, add fields, and assign signers. Set the route:
Choose signing order and delivery options. Send for signing:
Review the document, then send for signature. Track completion:
Track progress and store the completed record.
Documents and audiences
Business contracts
Contracts, NDAs, and service agreements for business teams that need fast, attributable approvals.
Operational records
HR forms, invoices, and consent forms for staff, clients, and patients across regulated workflows.
User roles and permissions
Assign account administrators to manage templates, role permissions, and sender approvals in SignNow for standardized contract workflows across departments. Use delegated sending and shared libraries so operations teams can route approvals without exposing unrelated documents or overextending user permissions.
Privacy risks in signature workflows
Signed PDFs can expose personal data if fields, attachments, or embedded metadata are not redacted before sharing outside the approval team. Consent capture can fail when the recipient never sees clear electronic-delivery terms or cannot retain the signed copy locally. Access control mistakes can let unrelated staff view, forward, or export signed records, weakening confidentiality and auditability. Mobile signing workflows can bypass device safeguards if app access, session timeouts, or screen locks are not enforced.
State limits for signed records
Notarized records
Wills
Family law
Real-estate deeds
Best practices for signed records
Good recordkeeping lowers the chance of disputes and keeps signed files easier to retrieve, verify, and retain under the correct rule.
Verify signer attribution
Restrict document access
Capture consent clearly
Retain records together
Key features and benefits
Core SignNow capabilities help teams send, sign, and store documents with tracking, control, and compliance in mind.
Audit trails
Audit trails record signer identity, timestamps, and document actions, which helps teams verify consent and preserve a complete transaction history for internal review or later evidence.
Mobile signing
Mobile signing supports iOS and Android workflows, so recipients can review and sign documents from the field, office, or home without delaying approval cycles.
Reusable templates
Template reuse keeps recurring documents consistent, reduces setup work, and helps teams standardize signatures, fields, and permissions across repeated approvals.
Bulk send
Bulk sending streamlines many-recipient workflows by routing the same document to multiple signers without repeating manual preparation for each recipient.
Compliance support
Compliance features align with ESIGN, UETA, HIPAA, and SOC 2 Type II needs, which supports defensible transactions in U.S. regulated workflows.
Unlimited users
Unlimited users on paid plans let organizations expand signing access without adding per-seat friction for every reviewer or occasional sender.
Pricing and plan comparison
Prices and plan details below reflect verified data available in the source set and help compare U.S. eSignature options clearly.
| Features | SignNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criteria | 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 support | BAA required | BAA available | BAA available | Not verified | Not verified |
FAQ and troubleshooting
These answers focus on plan limits, compliance settings, and signing behavior that matter when records must stay attributable and defensible.
SignNow supports ESIGN and UETA workflows with audit trails and mobile apps in paid plans. If a signer disputes intent, confirm the consent record, delivery log, and timestamped signing history before export.
For HIPAA workflows, use a plan with a BAA and keep PHI encrypted at rest. SignNow’s compliance posture supports HIPAA use when the covered entity executes the required agreement.
If you need bulk send, the Business Premium plan adds that feature. Business includes legally binding eSignatures, templates, and mobile apps, but not every advanced sending workflow.
If a PDF will not seal correctly, verify that the document is not corrupted and that your signing order, fields, and recipient permissions are set before sending.
For 21 CFR Part 11 use, confirm unique user IDs, two-factor authentication, time-stamped audit trails, and document history retention. Those controls support regulated electronic records.
If a recipient cannot open a form on mobile, SignNow’s iOS and Android apps can receive and sign documents, while desktop access works in modern browsers with TLS protection.
Key performance indicators that demonstrate SignNow's proven track record.