What are online signatures?

The fundamentals of electronic and digital signatures — what they are, how they work, and where they’re legally valid.

What is an online signature?

An online signature, also known as an electronic signature, is a digital representation of a person’s handwritten signature used to sign documents electronically. It provides a secure and legally recognized method for signing agreements, contracts, and other documents in the digital environment, eliminating the need for physical signatures.

What is an electronic signature?

An electronic signature is a digital representation of a person’s handwritten signature used to sign documents electronically. It can include various methods such as typing a name, drawing a signature on a touchscreen, or using specialized software to create a digital signature. Electronic signatures provide a secure and convenient way to sign documents online, ensuring their authenticity and legality in digital transactions.

What is the difference between electronic and digital signatures?

An electronic signature is a broad term that encompasses any method of signing a document electronically — such as typing your name, drawing your signature on a touch screen, or using a digital pen. A digital signature is a specific type of electronic signature that uses cryptographic technology to verify the authenticity and integrity of a document.

While electronic signatures indicate intent to sign, digital signatures provide an added layer of security by uniquely linking the signature to the signer and the document, ensuring non-repudiation and tamper-proofing.

What are the advantages of digital signatures?

Digital signatures streamline document workflows by eliminating the need for printing, scanning, and mailing — saving time and resources. They also comply with legal regulations and standards, making them legally binding and enforceable in many jurisdictions. Digital signatures provide a secure and efficient way to sign and manage documents in today’s digital age.

Are digital signatures legally binding?

Yes, digital signatures are legally binding in most jurisdictions around the world. They are recognized as valid signatures under various electronic signature laws and regulations, including the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN) in the United States and the eIDAS Regulation in the European Union. As long as the digital signature meets the requirements outlined in the relevant laws, it holds the same legal status as traditional handwritten signatures.

Are electronic signatures legally binding?

Yes, electronic signatures are legally binding in most jurisdictions around the world, including the United States, European Union, and many others. As long as certain requirements are met — such as consent and intention to sign — electronic signatures hold the same legal validity as traditional pen-and-ink signatures.

Are online signatures legally binding?

Yes, online signatures are legally binding in many jurisdictions around the world. Electronic signature laws recognize the validity of signatures made electronically, provided certain requirements are met, such as intent to sign and consent to the electronic process. It’s important to ensure compliance with applicable electronic signature regulations and to use reputable electronic signature platforms for added security and legal assurance.

Can we sign documents online if we are in different countries?

Yes — it’s fine to sign documents (including legal contracts) online if the parties are located in different countries. Each party should make sure they sign according to the laws of electronic signature in the country where they are signing from.

Are electronically signed contracts legal?

Yes, electronically signed contracts are legal in many jurisdictions around the world. Laws such as the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN) in the United States and the Electronic Communications Act in the European Union recognize the validity and enforceability of contracts signed electronically. As long as certain requirements are met — such as ensuring the signer’s identity and consent — electronically signed contracts hold the same legal weight as traditional paper contracts.

How to sign documents online

Practical guides to creating signatures and signing documents — from a simple typed name to a fully qualified electronic signature.

Can I make digital signatures for free?

Yes — the easiest way is to make a Simple Electronic Signature, the most basic type of e-signature, representing proof of intent. Examples include typing your name at the end of an email or attaching a scanned image of a physical signature.

You can also sign documents online for FREE (up to 2 signers per document) on the sign.online web application — it’s easy, quick, accessible, and web-based.

Can I make digital signatures without a subscription?

Yes — make digital signatures on the sign.online web application without registration or subscription.

How do I create an electronic signature?

To create an electronic signature, you can use various methods such as signing directly on a touchscreen device, uploading an image of your handwritten signature, or using specialized software to generate a digital signature.

You can create an electronic signature using the sign.online web application.

How can I make a digital signature?

To make a digital signature, you can use various electronic signature software or apps available online. These platforms typically allow you to create a digital representation of your signature, which you can then apply to digital documents. Some software offers features such as drawing or typing your signature directly onto documents. Once created, your digital signature can be inserted into PDFs or other electronic files to sign them securely and legally.

Try making a digital signature with the sign.online digital signature web application — click the button below.

What is the cheapest way to make online signatures?

The cheapest way to make signatures online is to use a Simple Electronic Signature — the most basic type of e-signature, representing proof of intent. For example, type your name at the end of an email or attach a scanned image of a physical signature.

Another cheap option is to sign documents for FREE (up to 2 signers per document) on the sign.online web application. If you need a more legally robust or secure signature, make a Qualified Electronic Signature for just €0.99 (up to 4 signers per document).

How do I get an e-signature?

To get an e-signature, you can use various online platforms or apps specifically designed for electronic signatures. These platforms typically allow you to upload your document, add signature fields, and then sign electronically using your mouse, touchpad, or touchscreen. Alternatively, some platforms also offer the option to upload a scanned image of your handwritten signature. Once you’ve signed the document electronically, you can save or download it for your records.

How do I make a Qualified Electronic Signature?

Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) must be created by a qualified signature creation device. Security is high, as it requires identity verification (often face-to-face or video call) and is based on a qualified certificate issued by a qualified trust service provider. QES are the most secure and legally robust of the e-signatures.

On the sign.online web app, make QES for just €0.99 per signature (up to 4 signers per document) without subscription or registration.

How do I sign a PDF file?

To sign a PDF file, you can use various methods depending on your preference and available tools. One common approach is to use software or apps that offer digital signature features. These tools typically allow you to upload the PDF document and apply your signature electronically using a mouse, touchscreen, or by uploading an image of your handwritten signature.

How do I sign an online document?

To sign a document online, you can use electronic signature platforms or software that allow you to upload your document and apply your signature electronically. Typically, you’ll create your signature using a mouse, touchscreen, or by uploading an image of your handwritten signature. Once applied, the electronic signature is securely embedded into the document, ensuring its authenticity and legality.

How do I sign a legal agreement online?

To sign a legal agreement online, use an electronic signature platform that allows you to upload your document and apply your signature electronically. Once applied, the electronic signature is securely embedded into the document, ensuring its authenticity and legality. For higher legal robustness — for example, with cross-border contracts — choose a Qualified Electronic Signature.

How do I sign a document in an email?

To sign a document sent by email, you can use the built-in signature feature in most email platforms — useful for an email signoff but not for signing a contract attached to the email. For contracts, save the attached document, upload it to an e-signature platform (such as sign.online), apply your signature, and send the signed PDF back.

How do I e-sign a document?

To e-sign a document, use an electronic signature platform: upload the document, add your signature using a mouse, touchscreen, or by typing your name, and then save or send the signed document electronically.

How can I send a document to be signed electronically?

To send a document for electronic signature, use an online platform designed for electronic signatures. Upload the document, add the necessary signature fields, and send it to the recipient via email or through the platform’s sharing feature. The recipient can then electronically sign the document on their computer or mobile device, after which the signed document is automatically returned to you.

What agreements can be signed online?

Standard contract templates available to sign directly on sign.online — no registration required.

Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)

A Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is a standard contract used to protect confidential information shared between parties.

Create an NDA on the sign.online web application from €4.99.

Power of Attorney (POA)

A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document granting authority to an individual (the agent or attorney-in-fact) to act on behalf of another person (the principal) in various legal and financial matters.

Create a POA on the sign.online web application from €4.99.

Contractor agreement

Embrace electronic signature for real estate contracts and other agreements for services, enabling you to sign contracts digitally and expedite transactions seamlessly.

Create a Contractor Agreement on the sign.online web application from €9.99.

About sign.online

How sign.online works, who we serve, and what makes our platform compliant and secure.

What does sign.online do?

sign.online is a tech startup based in Estonia, providing secure digital signing capabilities for cross-border transactions. The sign.online digital signature web application offers 40+ advanced and qualified electronic signatures on a pay-per-use basis as well as free simple electronic signatures.

sign.online also offers turnkey solutions to adapt its proprietary software to the digital transformation needs of business and government. These solutions transform manual workflows from paper to digital, streamline inefficient processes, and save time and money for clients.

What is the sign.online digital signature web app?

The sign.online digital signing web application offers 40+ Qualified Electronic Signatures and Advanced Electronic Signatures, as well as our free Simple Electronic Signature.

New signature providers are added continuously, making it possible to sign digitally from almost every country in the world.

How do I use the sign.online digital signing web app?

An email address is all you need to use the sign.online platform to sign documents online with our Simple Electronic Signature.

We don’t ask for a subscription fee or registration to make Advanced and Qualified Electronic signatures in the app — even when you need more legally robust identity verification and security. Simply choose from the various legally valid signature providers in your country and sign using the appropriate identification tools.

Does sign.online work with business clients?

Yes — business clients can take advantage of sign.online’s turnkey solutions, which transform manual workflows from paper to digital, saving time and money and overcoming business process bottlenecks.

Does sign.online work with government clients?

Yes — government clients benefit from sign.online’s turnkey solutions for government, which offer simple, secure digital signing tools to help streamline public services. We are compliant with gold standard European Union e-signature regulations (eIDAS) and data protection laws (GDPR).

Are sign.online digital signatures safe?

Yes — there are 40+ Qualified (QES) and Advanced Electronic Signatures (AES) on the sign.online digital signing web app. The source of trust for QES and AES is the European Union Trusted Signature List, complying with the eIDAS Regulation. Simple Electronic Signatures are free to use on our platform and valid under eIDAS for many simple transactions and agreements.

Are sign.online digital signatures legally compliant in my country?

sign.online offers legally compliant electronic signature options in the vast majority of countries. See the world map of signature methods for the methods available in your country.

What are the advantages of making digital signatures with sign.online?

The four main advantages of using sign.online digital signing services are:

  1. Fast — speed up manual processes and switch from paper to digital.
  2. Easy — improved experience and usability of signing online.
  3. Safe — verified signatures, secure signing, and audit trails.
  4. Compliant — with EU e-signature (eIDAS) and data (GDPR) gold standards.
Where is sign.online located?

We are an EU-based company registered in Estonia and led by Europeans.

We use the secure global infrastructure of AWS and Google Cloud, offering solutions for hosting data in the EU to those who need it.

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