A wet-ink signature is one way you can authenticate the signatory and help them agree with the terms of a document. A virtual signature (an electronic signature or eSignature) is a legally binding digital equivalent to a traditional physical signature. You can eSign documents or request other parties to sign from any part of the globe, using any device. Plus, signing parties don’t need to wait to get copies printed, mailed, and delivered. As the eSignatures market evolves, there’s a growing number of great eSignature solutions with flexible pricing options that are affordable for businesses and individuals – like signNow!

What makes a virtual signature better than a wet-ink one?

eSignature has been around for more than 20 years. Even with the wide acceptance of eSignature technologies, some businesses and individuals still prefer to sign papers with pen and paper. However, the pandemic prompted many companies to go digital and embrace virtual signatures.

Let’s take a look at the benefits of eSignatures.

Convenience
A traditional process of certifying a document with a physical signature can be cumbersome. It can be time-consuming to get documents prepared, mailed, signed, and returned when it comes to manual paperwork. This type of document approval can slow down business in today’s increasingly digital world that favors hybrid or remote work. Alternatively, eSignature gives you and your clients more flexibility and accelerates your project turnaround times. You can request or create a virtual signature remotely using any device without the need to print and scan papers. Many eSignature solutions include automation and integration options that help eliminate document errors and save you time and money.

Legality
eSignatures are legal in most countries, including the USA, UK, and European Union. They’re regulated by different laws, including ESIGN, eIDAS, and UETA.

According to the ESIGN Act of 2000, eSignature has the same legal standing as its ink counterpart. This act also defines what eSignature is and what makes it valid. For the signature to be legally binding:

All signers must agree to use electronic signatures and electronic records.
A respective software must document the signing process.
Electronic records must be saved and remain accessible and reproducible for intended parties.

eSignatures can be used for both personal and business purposes. You can sign most documents with an eSignature. However, some papers might still require a physical signature, like a will, adoption agreements, etc.

Sustainability
Your carbon footprint grows with every document you print, copy, fax, and mail. Adopting an eSignature solution can help you reduce your impact on the environment and make your workspace more eco-friendly. Going digital will help you cut down on paper and save money and resources. eSigning paperwork is much quicker – and much greener!

Can I use signNow to create a virtual signature?

Yes! signNow is an award-winning eSignature solution that goes beyond eSignature and helps you set up and track the entire signature cycle from A to Z. Our solution is suitable for both professional and personal use. With signNow, you’ll have all the tools you need right at your fingertips to create a virtual signature. Execute anything from a simple rental agreement to a complex contract – all from your laptop. eSigning is also available on mobile platforms allowing you to complete papers even while offline and using the Kiosk Mode (for in-person signing).

The best part is your clients don’t need to set up an account to complete a document. Our solution features signing guidance that makes eSigning easy, even for first-time users. A special pointer indicates the required fields, and the system won’t let you finish completing the document until each field is filled in. This helps signers fill out all necessary information and avoid missed data. A reminder feature is available that you can configure to remind your customers to sign documents.

With signNow, you can integrate with popular solutions, like Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Zapier, Google Drive, and more. Our solution makes it easy to streamline workflows, saving time and money and increasing productivity.

Are my documents secure when I create a virtual signature with signNow?

At signNow, we take the privacy and security of our customers seriously. signNow adheres to top data security standards and compliance regulations. The security of your data is ensured by ESIGN, UETA, GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA compliance, and a SOC 2 Type II certification. And, signNow lets all users enable two-factor authentication via phone, text message, or email. The Audit Trail is another feature that helps ensure the security and integrity of the document completion process. It lets you keep track of every change applied to documents down to the smallest detail: IP locations, date, and time.

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