Stateless Hash-Based Digital Signature Standard for signNow

Award-winning eSignature solution

What this digital signature standard means

A stateless hash-based digital signature standard is a way to sign digital records using hash functions instead of long-term private-key schemes. It creates a signature from the document’s hash, then verifies that hash against the signed record to confirm identity and detect changes. Because the method is stateless, the signer does not need to track prior signature state, which simplifies management for high-volume signing and long-lived records. In U.S. eSignature workflows, the standard supports integrity, attribution, and tamper evidence.

Why it matters for U.S. signing

It helps preserve document integrity and signer attribution while reducing key-management overhead. Under ESIGN and UETA, enforceability depends on intent, consent, and reliable recordkeeping, so a defensible audit trail and tamper-evident signature record support legal use.

Why teams look for DocuSign alternatives

Common implementation challenges

Key rotation and recovery can be harder when teams need long-term verification across archived records.
Poor signer authentication weakens attribution, especially when the workflow depends on remote approval.
Missing audit details can make it harder to defend the signature record in a dispute.
Retention gaps can break later verification if hashes, certificates, or supporting logs are lost.

Healthcare

Healthcare teams use it for patient forms, consent records, and HIPAA-sensitive approvals.

Real estate

Real estate teams use it for leases, disclosures, and closing documents with consent.

People who benefit most

A director of NetSuite operations at Xerox can route approvals through connected systems, keep the right signatures on the right documents, and preserve a clear record for internal controls and downstream review.
A COO at a venture-backed services firm can shorten turnaround on customer agreements, keep signing simple for external parties, and maintain a record structure that supports auditability and legal review.

be ready to get more

Get legally-binding signatures now!

Start free trial

Request a call

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 integrity

Hashes create a fixed record of the document, so later changes become easier to detect and explain.

Stateless flow

Stateless signing reduces the need to track prior signature state, which simplifies administration across repeated workflows.

Audit evidence

Audit details capture who signed, when they signed, and what changed, which supports defensible records.

Tamper detection

Hash-based verification helps confirm that the signed file matches the original content at review time.

Operational efficiency

The workflow supports repeatable approvals without adding unnecessary manual steps for each new document.

Legal defensibility

A clear signature record helps teams align technical controls with ESIGN and UETA recordkeeping needs.

Connected workflows and system links

Connected systems move documents, signer data, and completed records through the same signing flow without extra manual re-entry.

How the signing flow works

The process follows a simple sequence from document preparation to verification, with each step recorded for later review.

Open document: The signer opens the document and reviews the content before signing.
Create hash: The system hashes the file to create a fixed content fingerprint.
Apply signature: The signer applies the signature, linking identity to the record.
Verify record: Verification checks the hash, timestamps, and audit trail for integrity.

Quick setup steps

Use a short setup sequence to move from document upload to a signed, stored record.

Prepare file:
Upload the document and confirm the signing order.
Set identity:
Choose the signer authentication method for the transaction.
Request signature:
Send the document and collect the signature.
Archive record:
Review the completed record and store it securely.

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

Platform and device requirements

Use current versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge on Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android with TLS 1.2 or newer.

Desktop browsers Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge on Windows and macOS.
Mobile devices iOS and Android mobile apps support signing on phones.
Connection security TLS 1.2 or newer required for secure access.

For regulated deployments, managed devices, SSO, and controlled user provisioning help keep access consistent across teams. If long-term validation is needed, pair the signing workflow with retention rules, exportable audit records, and certificate-aware storage practices.

Security and compliance snapshot

Transport security:

TLS 1.2/1.3 protects data in transit.

At-rest encryption:

AES-256 protects stored records.

Control assurance:

SOC 2 Type II available on request.

Security management:

ISO 27001 certified environment.

Healthcare compliance:

HIPAA support with BAA required.

Legal framework:

ESIGN and UETA aligned workflows.

NetSuite operations

A NetSuite operations leader needed signatures routed through connected business systems without losing control of document versions.

Kodi-Marie Evans, Director of NetSuite Operations at Xerox
NetSuite-connected routing kept the right formats in place

The workflow improved document control and made signature routing easier to manage across integrated systems, while preserving a clear record for review and compliance.

Real estate founder

A founder in real estate needed online execution for client documents while keeping security and compliance visible.

Tim Martin, Founder at Martin Properties
Mobile signing supported fast execution with built-in security

The process supported remote signing, preserved a usable audit record, and fit property workflows where speed, mobile access, and record integrity all matter.

Best practices for defensible signing

Good setup choices make the signature record easier to verify, retain, and explain across routine business and regulated workflows.

Match authentication to risk

Use stronger authentication for higher-risk documents, especially when the record may be reviewed later in a dispute or audit. Pair the signer identity method with a complete audit trail and clear consent capture so the record remains attributable and easy to defend.

Align retention with regulation

Keep retention rules aligned with the document type and governing regulation. For HIPAA records, preserve signed files for 6 years from the later of creation or the last effective date, and make sure the archive includes the audit history and supporting metadata.

Control user access tightly

Limit signing access to named users and roles. Provision accounts through controlled admin processes, remove access promptly when roles change, and keep authentication settings consistent across departments so the signing record stays reliable and easier to review.

Preserve evidence together

Export completed records in a format that preserves the signature evidence, timestamps, and audit history. Store the file, the audit trail, and any supporting logs together so later verification does not depend on a single system view.

Day 0:

Set up the account, templates, and access rules.

Day 1:

Send the first document for signature.

Week 1:

Onboard the full team and review audit exports.

7-day trial:

Free trial lasts 7 days, no credit card required.

HIPAA retention:

Keep signed PHI records for 6 years per 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2).

21 CFR Part 11:

Use secure audit trails, timestamps, and unique user IDs.

ESIGN and UETA:

Electronic signatures remain legally valid when intent and consent are captured.

Archive review:

Store completed PDFs, logs, and retention rules together.

Risks of poor implementation

Weak identity

Signature attribution may be challenged.

Missing logs

Audit evidence may be rejected.

Retention gap

HIPAA records may fail retention rules.

Poor recordkeeping

Documents may lose evidentiary weight.

Authenticate signer:

Verifies the signer with the chosen authentication method.

Record timestamps:

Captures UTC timestamps for each signing event.

Hash document:

Hashes the document before and after signing.

Seal record:

Applies tamper-evident sealing to the completed file.

Link audit trail:

Stores the event history with the signed PDF.

Export evidence:

Exports the audit trail for review or litigation.

signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc
ESIGN and UETA	Yes	Yes	Yes
Audit trail	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA support	BAA available	BAA available	BAA available
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	Included	Included	Included	Included	Included
HIPAA compliance	BAA required	BAA available	BAA available	Not verified	Not verified

FAQ and troubleshooting

These answers focus on plan limits, compliance needs, and recordkeeping questions that affect defensible eSignature workflows.

signNow Business starts at $8/user/mo billed annually. It includes legally binding eSignatures, audit trails, templates, mobile apps, ISO 27001, SOC 2, and GDPR support. For HIPAA workflows, a BAA is required.

signNow supports ESIGN and UETA-compliant workflows with audit trails and signer authentication. For healthcare records, HIPAA requires a BAA, unique user identification, access controls, and audit controls under 45 CFR 164.312.

If you need bulk send, use Business Premium or higher. The ground truth lists bulk send on Business Premium, while Business includes templates and mobile apps. For regulated use, confirm the plan’s compliance features before rollout.

signNow records signer activity in an audit trail that supports attribution, timestamps, and document history. That evidence helps with disputes and with 21 CFR Part 11 workflows that require secure, time-stamped records.

For HIPAA-covered documents, keep signed records for 6 years from the later of creation or the last effective date, per 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2). signNow’s retention and export tools help preserve the record set.

If you need stronger identity proof, use advanced signer authentication and keep the completed PDF, audit trail, and supporting logs together. For higher-assurance EU transactions, eIDAS QES requires a qualified certificate and qualified signature creation device.

28M+Documents signed

13+Years in business

4.6/5Average G2 rating