Use Digital Signature with SignNow
Award-winning eSignature solution
What use digital signature means
Use digital signature means signing records electronically in a way that can be linked to a specific signer and reviewed later. In SignNow, that usually includes document preparation, signer authentication, time-stamped events, and a tamper-evident record of the completed file. For U.S. business use, the core issues are intent, attribution, consent, and long-term record retention under ESIGN and UETA.
Why it matters for U.S. transactions
Use digital signature helps reduce paper handling, speed approvals, and preserve a reviewable record. Under ESIGN and UETA, electronic signatures can carry legal effect when the signer intended to sign and the record can be attributed and retained properly.
How SignNow signing works
SignNow moves a document through a simple sequence, from preparation to routed signing and completed record storage.
Prepare: Create the document and add required fields. Route: Choose recipients and assign signing order. Sign: Signer reviews and completes the request. Finish: Store the completed file for later access.
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.
How to use digital signature
A short signing flow helps teams move from document preparation to completed records with fewer manual steps and less back-and-forth.
Prepare file:
Upload the document and place signature fields. Set recipients:
Add signers and set the signing order. Distribute document:
Send the request by email or link. Archive results:
Track completion and store the signed record.
What the audit trail captures
The audit trail shows how the signed record was handled, which helps support authenticity and later review.
Authentication:
Timestamp:
Document hash:
Tamper seal:
Audit binding:
Export trail:
Key features for electronic signing
Core signing features focus on document control, signer flow, and record retention rather than unnecessary complexity.
Document fields
Add signatures, initials, dates, and text fields to documents, then route them for review without rebuilding the file in another system.
Audit history
Use signer activity logs, timestamps, and document history to support internal review and later evidence handling.
Mobile access
Send contracts and forms from desktop or mobile devices so field staff and office teams use the same workflow.
Templates
Keep reusable files for agreements, NDAs, and forms so repeat transactions move faster and stay consistent across departments.
Team routing
Collect approvals with controlled ordering, shared access, and delegated sending for multi-person review cycles.
Record storage
Store signed files with documented event history so retrieval is easier for legal, compliance, and operations teams.
Security and compliance snapshot
Transport security:
Data at rest:
SOC 2 Type II:
ISO 27001:
GDPR support:
HIPAA support:
Recommended setup for SignNow
Configure identity checks, retention, and encryption before sending regulated documents through a signing workflow.
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Authentication method | Two-factor verification |
| 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 |
Business types that benefit most
Different business models use digital signature for different document volumes, audit needs, and approval patterns.
Solo law practices can send NDAs, engagement letters, and client intake forms without paper handling, while keeping a clear signature history for recordkeeping and client file retrieval. Real estate brokerages and property managers can route leases, disclosures, and rental applications quickly, which helps reduce delay between offer, approval, and move-in documentation. Healthcare operations teams can collect patient consent forms, intake packets, and authorizations on desktop or mobile devices, while supporting HIPAA workflows and documented access controls.
These tasks are executed by both individual contributors and centralized administrators depending on organizational policy and required controls.
Roles and permissions in SignNow
Legal operations admins can assign roles, manage shared templates, and control delegated sending so attorneys, paralegals, and staff use approved document paths without duplicating templates or changing permissions manually. Revenue operations teams can combine workspace access, sender permissions, and reusable templates so sales managers, finance staff, and coordinators route contracts consistently while keeping control over who can send, edit, or reuse documents.
Supported browsers and systems
Use digital signature in a modern browser or mobile app with TLS 1.2/1.3 security, and keep devices current for consistent signing.
Browser support Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge support web signing. Desktop systems Windows and macOS work in the desktop web app. Mobile systems iOS and Android support mobile signing.
For managed deployments, keep browsers patched, enable API or SSO only on approved devices, and align certificate or LTV settings with your retention policy.
Feature comparison across vendors
SignNow appears first in this comparison, followed by other leading eSignature vendors for a quick feature check.
| SignNow | DocuSign | Adobe Acrobat Sign | PandaDoc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audit trail | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Templates | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile apps | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Envelope cap | No cap | 100/user/year | Not verified |
Pricing and feature snapshot
Billed-annually pricing and feature notes are grouped here for a quick legal and operational comparison across leading eSignature vendors.
| Features | 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 free trial | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified |
| Bulk send | Business Premium only | 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 |
Troubleshooting SignNow signing issues
These answers focus on SignNow plan limits, security controls, and legal requirements that affect signing workflows.
SignNow Business includes legally binding eSignatures, audit trails, templates, and mobile apps. If you need bulk send or quick invite links, Business Premium adds those options. For HIPAA use, confirm a BAA and keep access controls enabled.
A HIPAA workflow requires a BAA, audit controls, and retention practices aligned with 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2). SignNow supports HIPAA use with the right agreement and controls, but the organization still has to manage permissions and storage correctly.
If a signer says the document was changed, review the audit trail and file history. SignNow records signer activity and timestamps, which helps confirm whether the file was edited before signing or altered after completion.
For higher-assurance transactions, use stronger signer verification such as SMS OTP or ID verification when your workflow requires it. The right choice depends on the document risk, industry rules, and whether you need only attribution or stronger proof.
Mobile signing is available through SignNow iOS and Android apps. If a device or browser fails, update the app or browser, then retry in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge on a supported system.
SignNow is designed for ESIGN and UETA-compliant U.S. transactions, but wills and certain court orders are excluded from electronic execution. For regulated records, keep the signed file, audit trail, and retention policy together.
Key performance indicators that demonstrate SignNow's proven track record.