Can consent be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures satisfy ESIGN (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where applicable if the four-part legal test is met: intent, consent to conduct the transaction electronically, attribution, and reliable record retention.

When is notarization required?

Notarization is required only when state law or institutional policy demands it; requirements differ by state for certain forms, so check the state notary rules before assuming notarization is necessary.

How do I revoke consent?

Revocation procedures should be stated on the form. Record the revocation in writing and retain it with the original consent; processing timelines should be documented in your policy.

What if a signer lacks capacity?

Obtain consent from a legally authorized representative and attach documentation of that authority, such as a durable power of attorney or guardianship order.

How long must consent records be kept?

Follow the longest applicable requirement: HIPAA six years (45 CFR §164.530(j)), IRS three years (IRC §6501(a)), or longer state/industry rules depending on context.

What authentication level is appropriate?

Use email link or SMS for low-risk consents; for high-risk medical or legal consents consider multi-factor authentication, identity credential analysis, or in-person notarization.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Healthcare
Basic Informed Consent Form

Basic Informed Consent Form

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

What a Basic Informed Consent Form Is

A Basic Informed Consent Form documents that an individual has received clear, comprehensible information about a proposed procedure, service, or data use and agrees to proceed. It typically states the purpose, expected benefits, material risks, alternatives, and the right to withdraw consent, and captures the signer’s name, signature, and date. In healthcare and research contexts the form supports lawful treatment decisions and helps organizations demonstrate that consent was informed and voluntary.

Why a Clear Informed Consent Form Matters

A concise Basic Informed Consent Form reduces misunderstanding, documents legal consent, and creates an auditable record for compliance and risk management under applicable laws such as HIPAA and state rules.

Who Typically Prepares and Signs These Forms

Use and exact content vary by industry; include the minimum legally required content for the applicable jurisdiction and sector.

Healthcare providers and clinics completing patient treatment or disclosure consents.
Researchers and IRBs documenting participant consent for low‑risk studies.
Education administrators collecting parental permission for activities or records.

Typical Signers and Responsible Parties

Patient / Participant

An adult or a legally authorized representative who understands the information, demonstrates intent, and signs the form; their identity and capacity must be documented to support validity.

Provider / Researcher

The licensed clinician or study representative who explains the procedure, answers questions, and documents that required disclosures were made and understood.

Core Sections to Include in a Professional Form

A robust Basic Informed Consent Form includes clear headings and discrete fields so the signer can review each element and provide a recorded signature and date.

Purpose

Explain what will happen and why; keep language plain and specific so the signer understands the objective.

Benefits

List expected positive outcomes or purpose-related advantages the signer should reasonably expect.

Risks

Disclose material risks, common side effects, and likelihoods so consent is informed.

Alternatives

Describe reasonable alternatives, including the option of no action and any associated tradeoffs.

Voluntary Statement

Confirm that consent is voluntary, revokeable, and that the signer can ask questions or withdraw consent.

Signature Block

Provide full name, signature, printed name, date, and signer role; include witness or representative fields where required.

Essential Compliance and Security Notes

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit, AES-256 at rest

HIPAA: HIPAA-compliant workflows; BAA required

Audit Trail: Timestamped event history for each signature

Authentication: Email, SMS code, or advanced methods available

Retention: Records exportable and reproducible on demand

Certifications: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, PCI DSS

Step-by-Step: Completing a Basic Informed Consent Form

Follow these sequential steps to ensure the form records informed, voluntary consent and retains the information needed for compliance and auditability.

01

Prepare the form: Populate purpose, risks, alternatives, and contact details.
02

Review with the signer: Explain content, answer questions, confirm understanding.
03

Capture identity: Record government ID or representative authority when required.
04

Sign and date: Signer signs, dates; witnesses or notary added if required.

How to Configure an Online Consent Workflow

Set up fields, authentication, and routing to create a legally defensible electronic consent flow.

Field	Configuration
Signature	Required, date-stamp enabled
Authentication	Email link + optional SMS code
Witnessing	Conditional witness field if required
Storage	Secure archive with audit trail

Digital Signing and eSubmission Essentials

Choose platform settings that capture intent, consent, attribution, and retention to satisfy the ESIGN four‑part validity test.

Document formats: PDF, DOCX, HTML supported
Integrations: Connects with Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Salesforce
Compliance: Supports HIPAA (BAA), ESIGN, UETA

Typical Online Consent Workflow

This workflow shows common steps when collecting consent electronically; customize authentication strength and routing to your compliance needs.

Upload document: Add Base Form and any attachments
Place fields: Add signature, initials, date fields
Send to signer: Email link or secure portal
Sign and archive: Signer completes; system stores audit trail

Timing Considerations and Deadlines

Timely capture and retention of consent affects legal compliance and program operations; follow industry and statutory deadlines where applicable.

Immediate consent:

Capture consent before the procedure or data use

Revocation requests:

Process and document within reasonable business timelines

HIPAA record access:

Respond to records requests per HIPAA timelines

Research enrollment:

Obtain consent prior to any study procedures

I‑9 retention:

Keep I-9s per 8 CFR §274a.2 retention rules

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Failing to document identity verification and representative authority.
Using vague or technical language that obscures risks and alternatives.
Not recording the exact effective date of consent.
Relying on unsigned or image-only signatures without an audit trail.

Penalties and Legal Risks of Deficient Consent

HIPAA violations: Potential civil penalties; see 45 CFR §§160–164

I‑9 paperwork: Fines $281–$2,789 per violation, see 8 CFR §274a.2

Research noncompliance: Funding loss and IRB sanctions

Civil liability: Negligence or battery claims for uninformed procedures

Regulatory enforcement: State licensing boards may discipline providers

Tax reporting errors: Backup withholding 24% for incorrect TINs

Comparing eSignature Vendors for Basic Informed Consent Forms

Vendor selection affects cost, authentication options, and compliance; signNow is listed first for comparison, followed by commonly referenced competitors.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Plan	7-day free trial	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Completion

Apply consistent formatting, verify identities, and version-control forms to reduce disputes and administrative overhead.

Use plain language

Write risks and procedures in clear, non-technical terms the average signer can understand.

Verify identity

Match name to ID and document representative authority before accepting a signature.

Record consent context

Note who explained the form, when questions were answered, and any attachments shown to the signer.

Maintain version control

Stamp forms with a version number and effective date to avoid using outdated templates.

Frequently Asked Questions About Basic Informed Consent Forms

Answers to common questions about validity, digital signing, revocation, and recordkeeping for Basic Informed Consent Forms.

Need help? Contact support

Can consent be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures satisfy ESIGN (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where applicable if the four-part legal test is met: intent, consent to conduct the transaction electronically, attribution, and reliable record retention.
When is notarization required?
Notarization is required only when state law or institutional policy demands it; requirements differ by state for certain forms, so check the state notary rules before assuming notarization is necessary.
How do I revoke consent?
Revocation procedures should be stated on the form. Record the revocation in writing and retain it with the original consent; processing timelines should be documented in your policy.
What if a signer lacks capacity?
Obtain consent from a legally authorized representative and attach documentation of that authority, such as a durable power of attorney or guardianship order.
How long must consent records be kept?
Follow the longest applicable requirement: HIPAA six years (45 CFR §164.530(j)), IRS three years (IRC §6501(a)), or longer state/industry rules depending on context.
What authentication level is appropriate?
Use email link or SMS for low-risk consents; for high-risk medical or legal consents consider multi-factor authentication, identity credential analysis, or in-person notarization.

Explore Templates

Alabama Default Judgment Establishing Paternity and Setting Amount of Child Support Alabama Summons Marital Legal Separation and Property Settlement Agreement Executor's Oath Electrical Easement Summary Administration for Small Estates in Alabama

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now