Consent Statement
A concise declaration that the signer agrees to receive and sign documents electronically and understands the consequences of electronic delivery; include the right to withdraw consent.
A properly completed consent form documents the signer's intent, consent to electronic delivery, and the ability to retain the record; those elements support legal enforceability under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA frameworks (1999). Clear consent reduces disputes, clarifies authentication level required, and helps meet industry-specific rules such as HIPAA or FERPA where applicable.
The form is used wherever a service provider needs documented agreement to transact electronically; common users include client-facing teams and compliance officers.
Maintain a copy of the signed consent with the primary transaction record so auditors and regulators can verify consent and access rights.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Authentication Method | Email link, SMS code, or KBA as required |
| Signature Type | Typed, drawn, or certificate-based digital signature |
| Reminder Schedule | Enable automatic reminders and resend intervals |
| Audit Trail Level | Full event log with IP, timestamps, and certificate |
Confirm that your eSignature platform supports required integrations, file types, and authentication options before sending the consent form.
Ensure encryption in transit and at rest and verify whether a BAA or additional compliance addenda are required for healthcare or other regulated data.
Provide upon request; no set IRS filing deadline
Recipient and IRS deadline is Jan 31
Form 1040 due April 15 (extension to Oct 15)
Retain 3 years after hire or 1 year after termination
Retain per ESIGN record reproduction capability
Prepare and dispatch the signing request to the signer
Verify identity using selected authentication method
Signer executes consent and platform records the audit trail
Store executed document and link to client record
A concise declaration that the signer agrees to receive and sign documents electronically and understands the consequences of electronic delivery; include the right to withdraw consent.
List specific document types covered (agreements, invoices, notices) and any exclusions to prevent ambiguity about what the signer is consenting to.
Specify permitted signer authentication (email verification, SMS code, knowledge-based questions, or certificate-based signatures) and note any higher assurances required by regulation.
Confirm the signer's ability to access electronic records and provide instructions to obtain paper copies, meeting ESIGN consumer disclosure expectations.
Explain how to revoke consent, the form of withdrawal acceptable, and the effect of withdrawal on future transactions.
State how long signed records and audit trails will be retained, the format of storage, and the process for reproducing records on request.
| 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 | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
| Bulk Send | Yes (premium tier) | Yes (plan-dependent) | Yes (plan-dependent) | 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 |