Explore Your Digital Signature – Questions Answered: digital certificate and digital signature
Award-winning eSignature solution
Simplified document journeys for small teams and individuals
Upload documents from your device or cloud and add your signature with ease: draw, upload, or type it on your mobile device or laptop.
Drag and drop fillable fields on your document and assign them to recipients. Reduce document errors and delight clients with an intuitive signing process.
Secure your documents by setting two-factor signer authentication. View who made changes and when in your document with the court-admissible Audit Trail.
Define a signing order, configure reminders for signers, and set your document's expiration date. signNow will send you instant updates once your document is signed.
We spread the word about digital transformation
completion rate of sent documents
average for a sent to signed document
out-of-the-box integrations
average number of signature invites sent in a week
users in Education industry
clicks minimum to sign a document
API calls a week
be ready to get more
Why choose airSlate signNow
Free 7-day trial. Choose the plan you need and try it risk-free.
Honest pricing for full-featured plans. airSlate SignNow offers subscription plans with no overages or hidden fees at renewal.
Enterprise-grade security. airSlate SignNow helps you comply with global security standards.
How it works
Rate your experience
faster
per document
per employee / month
What is the digital certificate and digital signature
A digital certificate is an electronic document used to prove the ownership of a public key. It contains information about the key, the identity of its owner, and the digital signature of the authority that issued it. A digital signature, on the other hand, is a mathematical scheme for verifying the authenticity and integrity of a message, software, or digital document. Together, they ensure that the signer is who they claim to be and that the document has not been altered after signing.
How to use the digital certificate and digital signature
To use a digital certificate and digital signature, first obtain a digital certificate from a trusted Certificate Authority (CA). Once you have the certificate, you can use it to sign documents electronically. With airSlate SignNow, you can upload your document, apply your digital signature, and send it for signature to others. The process is straightforward, allowing you to manage your documents efficiently while ensuring security and compliance.
Steps to complete the digital certificate and digital signature
Completing a document with a digital certificate and digital signature involves several key steps:
- Upload the document to airSlate SignNow.
- Select the area where you want to place your digital signature.
- Choose your digital certificate from the available options.
- Sign the document electronically.
- Send the signed document to the intended recipients for their signatures, if necessary.
This process ensures that the document is securely signed and can be easily tracked throughout its lifecycle.
Legal use of the digital certificate and digital signature
In the United States, digital certificates and digital signatures are legally recognized under the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce (ESIGN) Act and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA). These laws establish that electronic signatures hold the same weight as traditional handwritten signatures, provided that both parties consent to use electronic signatures and the process meets specific requirements. This legal backing makes digital signatures a reliable choice for businesses.
Security & Compliance Guidelines
When using digital certificates and digital signatures, it is crucial to adhere to security and compliance guidelines. Ensure that your digital certificate is obtained from a reputable Certificate Authority. Use strong passwords to protect your digital signature and implement two-factor authentication where possible. Regularly update your software to protect against vulnerabilities. By following these best practices, you can maintain the integrity and confidentiality of your electronic documents.
Examples of using the digital certificate and digital signature
Digital certificates and signatures can be used in various scenarios, including:
- Signing contracts and agreements between businesses.
- Submitting tax documents electronically.
- Authenticating software downloads to ensure they have not been tampered with.
- Verifying identities in online transactions.
These examples illustrate the versatility and importance of digital signatures in today’s digital landscape.
be ready to get more
Get legally-binding signatures now!
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.
FAQs
Here is a list of the most common customer questions. If you can't find an answer to your question, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
A digital certificate is an electronic document that verifies the identity of the signer, while a digital signature is a cryptographic method used to validate the authenticity and integrity of a message or document. Together, they ensure secure transactions and communications.
airSlate SignNow uses digital certificates to authenticate users and digital signatures to secure documents. This combination ensures that your documents are signed by verified individuals, providing peace of mind and legal validity.
Using digital certificates and digital signatures enhances security, reduces fraud, and streamlines the signing process. They also help businesses comply with legal requirements and improve overall efficiency in document management.
While airSlate SignNow offers a cost-effective solution for eSigning, obtaining a digital certificate may involve additional fees depending on the certificate authority. However, the investment is worthwhile for enhanced security and compliance.
Yes, airSlate SignNow offers seamless integrations with various applications, allowing you to manage digital certificates and digital signatures efficiently. This flexibility helps streamline your workflow and enhances productivity.
Yes, digital signatures are legally binding in many countries, including the United States and those in the European Union, as long as they comply with local regulations. airSlate SignNow ensures that its digital signatures meet these legal standards.
airSlate SignNow employs advanced encryption and security protocols to protect digital certificates and digital signatures. This ensures that your documents remain confidential and tamper-proof throughout the signing process.
airSlate SignNow is committed to protecting your sensitive information by complying with global industry-specific.
be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users
Get more for office signature feature
Find out other Discover the powerful office signature feature with airSlate SignNow
In this section you will learn how to: Make a digital certificate authority; Making certificates for S/MIME and OpenSSL. Sign an S/MIME message; Verify a ...
Digital signatures use a sender's private key to encrypt a hash, while digital certificates bind public keys to their owner, validated by Certificate ...
Feb 1, 2021 — Digital certificates contain the public key of the individual or organization and are digitally signed by a CA.
be ready to get more