eSignature Contract for Secure Signing and Compliance

Award-winning eSignature solution

What an eSignature contract is

An eSignature contract is a contract that parties sign electronically instead of on paper. In the U.S., it works when the signer shows intent to sign, the record is associated with that person, and the document can be retained and reproduced accurately. signNow supports this workflow by letting users prepare a document, send it for signature, collect signatures in order or in parallel, and preserve a tamper-evident audit trail that shows who signed, when, and from where.

Why eSignature contracts matter

They reduce paper handling, speed up approvals, and create a record that can be enforced under ESIGN and UETA when consent, attribution, and record retention requirements are met.

Why teams look for DocuSign alternatives

Frequent eSignature contract issues

Signer consent is missing, so the contract may not satisfy ESIGN disclosure and retention requirements.
Weak identity checks make it harder to attribute the signature to a specific person.
Incomplete audit logs leave gaps in the signing history and weaken evidentiary value.
Poor document control can create version conflicts, delayed approvals, and disputed final terms.

Business teams

Lease agreements, onboarding forms, service contracts, and approvals move faster when signatures happen online.

Regulated records

Patient forms, consent documents, and HIPAA workflows need secure signing and clear audit records.

People who rely on eSignature contracts

Real estate operators use signNow to send rental applications, lease renewals, and closing documents from the office or the field. The workflow helps teams keep transactions moving when tenants, agents, and owners are in different locations, while preserving a clear record of each signed version.
NetSuite operations leaders and finance teams use signNow to route approvals, invoices, and contract packets through connected systems. Kodi-Marie Evans at Xerox described the flexibility of getting the right signatures on the right documents in the right formats through a NetSuite integration.

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Best ROI. Our customers achieve an average 7x ROI within the first six months.
Scales with your use cases. From SMBs to mid-market, airSlate SignNow delivers results for businesses of all sizes.
Intuitive UI and API. Sign and send documents from your apps in minutes.

Document routing

Create a contract once, then send it to one signer or many without reformatting the file. signNow keeps the process simple for teams that need fast turnaround and consistent document handling.

Audit trail

Track each action in a time-stamped audit trail that shows delivery, viewing, signing, and completion. That record helps support internal review, dispute handling, and compliance checks.

Reusable templates

Use templates for repeat agreements, so recurring contracts keep the same structure and required fields. This reduces manual setup and helps teams standardize approvals.

Mobile signing

Collect signatures on desktop or mobile, which matters when signers are away from a desk. The same contract can move through the workflow without changing the signing experience.

Signer verification

Add signer authentication controls to support higher-assurance transactions. This helps teams match the verification method to the sensitivity of the document.

Record retention

Store signed documents in a format that can be retrieved later for audits, legal review, or recordkeeping. That makes the contract easier to manage after completion.

Connected systems for contract workflows

Connected systems move contract data into the tools teams already use, so documents, approvals, and records stay synchronized across departments.

How the signing flow works

The contract moves through a simple sequence from preparation to completion, with each action recorded for later review.

Prepare: Upload the contract and add required fields.
Configure: Set signer order, reminders, and access controls.
Sign: Send the document and collect signatures.
Complete: Store the completed record with its audit trail.

Quick steps to send a contract

Use a short setup process to prepare, send, and store an eSignature contract without changing the document’s legal structure.

Upload:
Upload the contract PDF or form.
Place fields:
Add signature, date, and initial fields.
Assign signers:
Choose recipients and signing order.
Send:
Send the document for review.
Save:
Download or store the completed file.

Setting	Recommendation
Authentication method	SMS OTP
Signature type	SES
Audit trail	UTC timestamps
Document retention	6 years (HIPAA 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2))
Encryption	TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256

Platform requirements for signing

Use current versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge on Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android. signNow also supports mobile signing through dedicated iOS and Android apps, which helps when contracts need to be reviewed or signed away from a desktop.

Desktop browsers Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge
Operating systems Windows 10+, macOS, iOS, Android
Mobile apps signNow iOS and Android apps

For regulated deployments, keep devices managed, browsers updated, and access policies aligned with internal controls. Organizations that use SSO, API access, or certificate-based workflows should also confirm account provisioning, retention rules, and any industry-specific requirements before rollout.

Security and compliance controls

Encryption:

TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit

Data protection:

AES-256 at rest

Security assurance:

SOC 2 Type II available

Information security:

ISO 27001 certified

Healthcare compliance:

HIPAA support with BAA

Legal framework:

ESIGN and UETA aligned

Real estate

A real estate team needed faster lease execution across locations and mobile devices.

Tim Martin, founder at Martin Properties, processed documents online with built-in security.
Mobile and offline signing kept transactions moving.

The workflow reduced paper handling and supported 100% compliance in the customer’s process, while keeping signed forms accessible for later review and delivery to the right parties.

Operations

An operations team needed flexible routing for the right signatures on the right documents.

Kodi-Marie Evans, director of NetSuite operations at Xerox, used the integration to match formats and approval paths.
NetSuite-based routing kept documents aligned with business rules.

The integration helped Xerox route documents more precisely, which improved control over signature order, document format, and downstream processing without forcing teams to leave their existing system.

Practical ways to manage contracts

A reliable eSignature contract process depends on consent, identity checks, record retention, and consistent document handling from start to finish.

Match routing to approval needs

Use a signer order only when the contract depends on sequential approval. If all parties can sign independently, parallel routing shortens turnaround and reduces waiting time.

Capture electronic consent

Collect consent before sending the document electronically. Keep the consent record with the contract so the file supports ESIGN and UETA enforceability if questions arise later.

Align verification with risk

Choose the lightest authentication method that still fits the document’s risk level. For sensitive records, use stronger verification and keep the identity evidence with the audit trail.

Store completed records securely

Retain the completed contract and audit trail in a controlled repository. Keep access limited to people who need the record for operations, legal review, or compliance.

Day 0:

Set up the account and prepare the first contract.

Day 1:

Send the first document for signature.

Week 1:

Onboard the team and confirm routing rules.

7-day trial:

signNow includes a 7-day free trial.

HIPAA retention:

Keep signed PHI records for 6 years.

ESIGN consent:

Capture consent before electronic delivery.

UETA adoption:

UETA is adopted in 49 states.

Record review:

Export completed files for legal or audit review.

Risks of poor eSignature handling

Weak attribution

The contract may be harder to enforce.

Missing audit trail

The record may fail audit review.

PHI exposure

The file may not satisfy HIPAA controls.

Disputed consent

The signature may be challenged in court.

Policy mismatch

The record may be rejected in regulated workflows.

Signer authentication:

Verify the signer with the chosen authentication method.

Timestamp capture:

Record each action with a UTC timestamp.

Document hashing:

Hash the document before and after signing.

Tamper-evident sealing:

Seal the file so later edits are detectable.

Event logging:

Log delivery, view, sign, and completion events.

Audit-trail export:

Export the audit trail for review or evidence.

signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc
ESIGN and UETA	Yes	Yes	Yes
Audit trails	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA support	Yes	Yes	Yes
Starting price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo
Envelope cap	No cap	100/year	Not verified

	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	Not verified	Not verified	Not verified	Not verified
Bulk send	Business Premium	Not verified	Not verified	Not verified	Not verified
Audit trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA compliance	BAA required	BAA available	BAA available	Not verified	Not verified

FAQ and troubleshooting

These answers focus on plan limits, compliance requirements, and signNow features that affect contract signing and recordkeeping.

signNow Business includes legally binding eSignatures, audit trails, templates, and mobile apps. If a contract needs stronger controls, Enterprise adds advanced signer authentication, while Site License supports SSO, full API access, and HIPAA or 21 CFR Part 11 add-ons.

signNow supports ESIGN and UETA-aligned signing records, but enforceability still depends on consent, attribution, and retention. For healthcare records, use a BAA and keep signed documents for 6 years under 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2).

If a signer cannot complete the document on a phone, confirm that the browser is current and that the signNow iOS or Android app is installed. Mobile-created signatures remain valid under ESIGN and UETA when intent and attribution are clear.

A missing audit trail usually means the document was not completed inside the signing workflow. signNow records delivery, viewing, signing, and completion events, so export the finished file and verify that the signed version includes the full history.

If a healthcare document is involved, use a signed BAA and confirm that the workflow protects PHI. HIPAA requires unique user identification, access controls, integrity controls, and audit controls under 45 CFR 164.312.

For regulated records, use the plan that matches the required controls. Site License is the option tied to SSO, full API access, and add-ons for HIPAA, 21 CFR Part 11, and QES use cases.

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13+Years in business

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