What Is an Electronic Signature?

An electronic signature (e-signature) is any electronic process that indicates acceptance of an agreement or document. Under the ESIGN Act (2000) and UETA, e-signatures carry the same legal weight as handwritten signatures in most situations.

Unlike wet-ink signatures, e-signatures can be captured digitally through drawing on a screen, typing your name, or uploading an image of your signature. They're faster, more convenient, and just as legally binding.

How to E-Sign a Document in 3 Simple Steps

Step 1: Upload Your PDF

Start by uploading the PDF document you need to sign. Most e-signature platforms, including DottiSign, accept standard PDF files up to 50MB. Simply drag and drop your file into the editor or click the upload button.

Step 2: Place Your Signature

Use the signature field tool to place a signature box exactly where you need to sign. You can draw your signature with a mouse or touchpad, or type it using a stylized font. Position it precisely over the signature line in your document.

You can also add other fields like date, text inputs, and checkboxes if the document requires additional information.

Step 3: Download or Send

Once signed, download your completed PDF with the signature permanently embedded into the document. The signature becomes part of the PDF — it can't be moved or edited after baking. If others need to sign too, add their email addresses and send the document directly from the platform.

Are Electronic Signatures Legally Binding?

Yes. In the United States, the ESIGN Act (Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 2000) and the UETA (Uniform Electronic Transactions Act) make electronic signatures legally valid for nearly all purposes. The European Union's eIDAS regulation provides a similar framework across EU member states.

Key legal requirements include:

Intent to sign — The signer must clearly intend to sign the document
Consent to do business electronically — All parties must agree to use electronic methods
Association of the signature with the record — The system must link the signature to the specific document
Record retention — The signed document must be stored and retrievable

There are a few exceptions where e-signatures may not be accepted, including wills, certain family law documents, and court orders. For standard business contracts, agreements, and forms, e-signatures are fully legal.

What Makes a Good E-Signature Tool?

When choosing an e-signature solution, look for these key features:

Ease of use — No training required, works directly in the browser without downloads
Complete audit trail — Timestamps, IP addresses, and email verification for legal compliance
Universal PDF support — Works with any standard PDF file regardless of how it was created
No account required for signers — Recipients should be able to sign without creating an account or downloading an app
Affordable pricing — Avoid expensive monthly subscriptions if you don't need enterprise features
Mobile-friendly — Signers should be able to sign from any device including phones and tablets

Common E-Signature Use Cases

Electronic signatures are used across virtually every industry:

Real estate — Lease agreements, purchase contracts, disclosures
Freelancing — Client contracts, NDAs, project proposals
HR — Offer letters, employee onboarding, policy acknowledgments
Sales — Quotes, purchase orders, service agreements
Healthcare — Consent forms, patient intake, insurance authorizations

Try DottiSign for Free

DottiSign lets you upload any PDF, add signature fields with drag-and-drop, and send for signing — all in under 2 minutes. No credit card required, no monthly fees. Start with 5 free documents per month, or get lifetime access for a one-time payment of $49.

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