How Do I Create An eSignature With signNow

Award-winning eSignature solution

What an eSignature is and how it works

An electronic signature, or eSignature, is a digital mark or action that shows a person’s intent to sign a record. In the U.S., it can be a typed name, a drawn signature, a clicked consent box, or a signing process tied to identity checks. The signer reviews the document, confirms consent to sign electronically, and the system records the action with a timestamp, audit trail, and document history. That record helps show who signed, when, and what was signed.

Why eSignatures matter legally

An eSignature speeds approvals, reduces paper handling, and supports remote workflows. Under ESIGN and UETA, it can be enforceable when intent, consent, and attribution are captured, which makes it useful for routine business documents and regulated records.

Why teams look for DocuSign alternatives

Common eSignature pain points

Signer consent is unclear when the workflow does not capture electronic delivery consent or signing intent.
Identity proof is weak when the process relies only on a basic email link.
Audit evidence is incomplete when timestamps, IP data, or document history are missing.
Retention rules are missed when signed records are not stored with the right policy controls.

Real estate

Real estate teams use eSignatures for leases, disclosures, and closing packets with remote parties.

Healthcare

Healthcare teams use eSignatures for patient forms, consent records, and HIPAA workflows.

People who benefit most

A director of NetSuite operations at Xerox uses signNow to route the right signatures on the right documents in the right formats. That matters when approvals need to match system data, document type, and business unit without manual rework.
A founder at Martin Properties uses signNow to execute documents online with compliance and built-in security. That fits property workflows where mobile signing, offline access, and fast turnaround matter more than paper handling or in-person coordination.

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Signing flow

Create a signing flow that captures intent, consent, and attribution in one place, so the final record is easier to review and store.

Templates

Use templates to keep repeat documents consistent, reduce setup time, and limit errors across recurring agreements and forms.

Audit trail

Track every action with a time-stamped history that supports review, dispute handling, and recordkeeping.

Routing

Send documents to one signer or many signers in a controlled order, which helps with approvals and acknowledgments.

Mobile signing

Sign on desktop or mobile without changing the legal effect of the signature, which supports remote work.

Tamper evidence

Store signed files with tamper-evident records so later changes are easier to detect and document.

Integrations that connect signing work

Connected systems move documents, contacts, and approvals into the signing flow without duplicating data or rekeying records.

How the signing flow works

The signing process follows a simple sequence from document preparation to completed record storage.

Prepare: Upload the document and prepare the fields.
Send: Send it to the signer with consent.
Sign: Signer reviews, signs, and confirms intent.
Store: The system stores the completed record and trail.

Quick steps to create one

Use a short workflow to prepare, send, and complete an eSignature request.

Upload:
Upload the file you want signed.
Add fields:
Add fields for signatures, dates, and initials.
Send:
Enter signer details and send the request.
Finish:
Review the completed document and download it.

Setting	Recommendation
Authentication method	SMS OTP for higher-risk signers
Signature type	SES for routine U.S. contracts
Audit trail	Enable full time-stamped logging
Document retention	6 years for HIPAA records
Encryption	TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256

Browser and device support

signNow works in modern browsers and on mobile devices, with secure connections for signing and document review.

Browsers Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge
Desktop OS Windows and macOS desktops
Mobile OS iOS and Android mobile apps

For enterprise use, managed Windows and macOS devices, mobile app access on iOS and Android, and controlled user provisioning help keep signing workflows consistent. Browser support should stay current, and regulated teams should confirm encryption, retention, and access settings before rollout.

Security and compliance

Encryption:

TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit

Storage protection:

AES-256 at rest

Control report:

SOC 2 Type II available

Security management:

ISO 27001 certified

Healthcare use:

HIPAA support with BAA

Privacy and trust:

GDPR and eIDAS aligned

Operations team

A NetSuite operations leader needed signatures tied to system data and document format. signNow helped keep routing aligned with the business record.

NetSuite-based routing
Right document, right format

The workflow matched document type to approval path, which reduced manual correction and kept records easier to manage across systems.

Real estate founder

A property founder needed online execution with security and mobile access. signNow supported remote signing without forcing paper handling or in-person meetings.

Mobile execution
Built-in security

The result was faster document turnaround with a record that stayed organized for later review, storage, and compliance checks.

Best practices for eSignatures

Good signing practices make the record easier to defend, store, and retrieve across business and compliance workflows.

Capture consent early

Capture consent before the signer starts. Use a clear disclosure that the document will be signed electronically, then keep the consent record with the completed file for later review.

Match assurance to risk

Match the signature method to the risk. Use stronger authentication for sensitive agreements, and keep the process simple for routine contracts that only need basic attribution.

Preserve the audit trail

Keep the audit trail complete. Preserve timestamps, signer identity details, and document history so the record can support disputes, internal review, and retention requirements.

Set retention rules

Set retention rules before rollout. Align storage, access control, and deletion timing with the document type, industry rules, and internal policy so records stay available when needed.

FAQ about eSignatures

These answers cover plan limits, compliance needs, and signing issues that affect how documents move through signNow.

signNow Business includes legally binding eSignatures, audit trails, templates, and mobile apps. For HIPAA use, a BAA is required, and the workflow should preserve access controls, integrity, and retention evidence.

signNow supports ESIGN and UETA compliant workflows when intent, consent, and attribution are captured. If a document needs stronger assurance, use advanced signer authentication and keep the audit trail intact.

For HIPAA records, retain signed documents for 6 years from the date of creation or last effective date, whichever is later, under 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2).

If a signer cannot complete the request, check email delivery, browser compatibility, and authentication settings. signNow supports Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, iOS, and Android for signing workflows.

If a document must support FDA predicate-rule records, use controls aligned with 21 CFR Part 11, including unique user IDs, time-stamped audit trails, and validated access controls.

The Business plan is priced at $8/user/month billed annually. Business Premium adds bulk send, and Enterprise adds advanced signer authentication and integrations.

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

Day 1:

Set up the account, templates, and access controls.

Day 2:

Send the first document for signature.

Week 1:

Onboard the team and confirm workflow rules.

7-day trial:

Free trial lasts 7 days, no credit card required.

HIPAA retention:

Keep signed records 6 years under 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2).

21 CFR Part 11:

Use time-stamped audit trails and unique user IDs.

UETA adoption:

49 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have adopted UETA.

Enterprise rollout:

Expand to departments after policy review and access testing.

Risks of poor eSignature handling

Weak attribution

Unenforceable record

Missing audit trail

Lost evidence

No BAA

Compliance breach

Poor retention

Rejected record

Authenticate:

Verify signer identity before access is granted.

Timestamp:

Record each action with a UTC timestamp.

Hash:

Hash the document before and after signing.

Seal:

Apply a tamper-evident seal to the file.

Store:

Store the full event history with the record.

Export:

Export the audit trail for review or evidence.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	Dropbox Sign
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	Yes	Not verified	Not verified	Yes	Not verified
Audit trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA compliance	BAA required	BAA available	BAA available	Not verified	Not verified

28M+Documents signed

13+Years in business

4.6/5Average G2 rating