Signer Identity
Full printed name of the signer and any corporate title if signing on behalf of an entity, matching government ID or corporate registry entries where applicable to reduce ambiguity in attribution.
Use an acknowledgement to document signer intent, record consent to electronic transactions, and create an auditable trace that supports enforceability under ESIGN (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state e‑signature law.
Organizations and individuals attach an acknowledgement when electronic signatures are used on contracts, consent forms, or government-facing records to strengthen evidentiary posture.
Use the acknowledgement consistently in your workflow to reduce disputes about consent and attribution and to document the signing method and date for audit purposes.
Full printed name of the signer and any corporate title if signing on behalf of an entity, matching government ID or corporate registry entries where applicable to reduce ambiguity in attribution.
A short description of the method used (typed name, click-to-sign, image overlay, or PKI digital signature) so reviewers can assess the evidentiary strength of the signing event.
Timestamp in MM/DD/YYYY HH:MM (time zone) format recorded at the moment of signature to establish chronology and tie the event to logs or audit trails.
Clear language that the signer agreed to execute the document electronically and received any required ESIGN consumer disclosures when the transaction is consumer-facing.
Name of the eSignature service or method used and a brief note that an audit trail or certificate of completion is available for verification purposes.
A short statement describing where the signed record will be stored and for how long, tied to internal retention policies or applicable statutes to satisfy reproducibility requirements.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Signer Name Field | Required; prefill from account where possible |
| Timestamp Field | Auto-populate with server timestamp |
| Consent Checkbox | Require affirmative click for consumer transactions |
| Audit Attachment | Attach certificate of completion to final PDF |
Choose a platform that captures timestamps, IP addresses, and a certificate of completion, and that supports secure export to your records system.
Ensure chosen tools meet your compliance needs (HIPAA, 21 CFR Part 11, ESIGN/UETA) and provide a searchable archive for audit and legal preservation.
When consumer-facing, present before signing per 15 U.S.C. §7001(c)
Record time at signature to ensure event chronology
Retention begins on the execution date
Make signed copy available promptly on request
Keep certificate and logs with the signed record
| Criteria | Electronic Signature | Digital Signature |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | broad legal category | pki cryptographic subset |
| Legal Status | legally valid under esign | legally valid with pki |
| Technology | varied methods used | certificate-based signing |
| Non-repudiation | relies on audit trail | strong cryptographic proof |
| 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 | Free trial available | Free trial available | Free trial available | Free trial available |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Envelope Cap | No cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |