Are electronic signatures legally binding?
Last updated: 10 October 2026
In the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and many other jurisdictions, electronic signatures are legally recognized for most business documents. This page gives general information. It is not legal advice for a particular document.
United States: ESIGN Act and UETA
The federal ESIGN Act and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, adopted by most states, give electronic signatures the same legal effect as handwritten signatures for most transactions. Courts generally look for:
- Intent to sign: the signer takes a deliberate action to sign.
- Consent to do business electronically: the parties agree to use an electronic process.
- Association with the record: the signature is attached to the document signed.
- Record retention: the signed document can be retained and reproduced.
SigningUS is designed to support these: the signer takes an affirmative action to sign, the signature is placed in the specific document, and the signed document can be downloaded and kept.
Some documents are excluded from ESIGN and UETA regardless of the platform used, including wills, codicils and testamentary trusts, and certain family law and court documents. Some consumer transactions require specific disclosures. If unsure, consult your own counsel.
European Union and United Kingdom: eIDAS
eIDAS recognizes simple, advanced and qualified electronic signatures. SigningUS provides simple electronic signatures, which are admissible as evidence and suitable for most everyday business agreements. Where a law or a counterparty requires an advanced or qualified signature, use a provider that offers that level.
What SigningUS records
| Record | What it contains |
|---|---|
| Audit record | For each signer: who signed, when, and from which IP address |
| Signer verification | Whether the signer entered a one-time code sent to their email, where the sender required it |
| Signed document | The completed document, downloadable from the sender's dashboard |
Regulated industries
SigningUS does not currently offer HIPAA business associate agreements or controls for FDA 21 CFR Part 11 records. Contact us before using SigningUS for documents subject to those rules.
Questions
Email legal@signingus.com. For the validity of a specific document, consult your own counsel.
Legal documents