Electronic Signature Examples: An Overview

Anyone who has attempted to sign an electronic document is aware that there are a staggering number of alternatives available for online signatures. You can sign anything legally binding in a number of methods, including with a mouse, a stylus, or your finger.

Online signatures vary greatly from one another, though. It’s therefore critical for organizations to comprehend the many signature kinds and when to apply each. Along with that, it is also necessary to develop an understanding of electronic signature examples.

Electronic Signature: What is it?

An electronic signature, often known as an e-signature, is a technical term for electronic data that signals a person’s or organization’s intent to sign contracts or other documents online.

Despite minor differences, electronic and digital signatures serve the same purpose: to identify the signer and confirm that the document has not been altered. The primary distinction between these two sorts of signatures is how they are formed.

An electronic signature is as simple as putting your name into an email or web form, whereas a digital signature necessitates more advanced software and technical knowledge. When creating a legally binding document, it’s best to utilize a digital signature for authentication.

For most routine transactions, however, an electronic signature is sufficient.

When Should an Electronic Signature Be Used?

A number of critical paperwork must be signed while conducting business online. Previously, this meant printing the legal document, signing it physically, and then scanning or faxing it back. However, with the introduction of electronic and digital signatures, this procedure has become more simple.

A digital counterpart of a physical signature that may be used to sign an electronic document is referred to as an electronic signature.

E-signatures are frequently used for remotely signing papers since they are simple to use and quick to complete. Digital signatures, when utilized appropriately, can be a quick and secure way to transact business online.

What Are Electronic Signatures Used For?

Electronic signatures have grown in popularity in recent years as businesses seek to capitalize on their speed and ease.

Electronic signatures can be utilized in a variety of circumstances, the most prevalent of which being real estate, commerce, and logistics.

Electronic signatures can save time and money in each situation by streamlining the procedure and minimizing the need for paper papers.

Furthermore, electronic signatures are widely employed in a variety of commercial scenarios, ranging from employee onboarding to customer contracts and vendor agreements.

In general, they provide a convenient and safe method of confirming that a document has been received and accepted by all parties involved.

Electronic signatures, when utilized appropriately, can assist speed up company operations while also improving security and compliance. Furthermore, they may be used to remotely sign documents, which is especially useful in the current context.

To conclude, electronic signatures are crucial in modern business.

The Advantages of Using an Electronic Signature

E-signatures have grown in popularity in recent years as organizations have recognized the multiple benefits they provide. Perhaps most crucially, e-signatures can aid in the streamlining and scaling of legal activities with the following advantages:

Efficiency

There are numerous advantages to utilizing an e-signature over traditional paper-based signatures. One of the most obvious advantages of employing e-signatures is the time savings.

There is no need to print off the paper, have each person sign it, and then scan it back in with an e-signature. This may all be done electronically, which saves time and is especially useful when working with distant parties.

Utilization Ease

E-signatures are increasingly being used by corporations to streamline their operations. And it’s easy to see why: e-signatures are quick, easy, and secure.

Perhaps most importantly, they are simple to use. All you need is an internet-connected PC or mobile device.

Monitor Progress

E-signatures are an easy way to track the status of a document or form. You can keep track of who has examined and signed it by utilizing an e-signature. This function is very beneficial when there are numerous people involved in the review process.

Read: How can Non-Profit Organizations use Electronic Signature Software?

Electronic Signature Examples: Common types of signatures

Below we discuss the most common types of signatures:

a) Wet signature example

A wet signature is a physical signature made with a pen on paper. In the context of electronic signatures, a wet signature can be made by printing out a document and signing it with a pen, or by signing a digital document with a digital pen.

When to Use a Wet Signature

In today’s digital age, it’s easy to forget that a wet signature is still required in some cases. While a digital signature is legally binding in most circumstances, there are some exceptions where a wet signature is required.

When buying or selling property, for example, you will normally need to sign a physical contract.

Creating a Wet Signature

A digital signature, also known as an electronic signature, is a coded entry that identifies the signer and validates that the document has not been altered.

A wet signature—an original, handwritten signature—can be used to create a digital or electronic signature. You can then use this wet signature to electronically sign papers. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Sign your name on a blank piece of paper with a pen. Make sure your pen generates dark ink so that your signature can be easily scanned.
2. Using a scanner or an app, scan the document into your computer. Save the file as a PDF.
3. Upload your signature to your eSign tool for future contracts.

b) Digital Signature Example

A digital signature is a digital counterpart of a traditional handwritten signature that can be used to sign contracts, documents, and other agreements.

A digital signature, unlike a handwritten signature, is unique to the individual and cannot be copied.

A public key infrastructure is used for digital signatures (PKI). This PKI will produce a pair of keys, one public and one private, based on the amount of access that users have.

When it comes time to sign a document, the individual creates a digital signature using their private key. Anyone with access to the individual’s public key can then validate the signature.

As a result, digital signatures offer a convenient and secure method of signing contracts and other agreements.

When Should You Use a Digital Signature?

A digital signature is a safe technique to validate your identity and keep your documents from being tampered with.

When you need to sign a document electronically, you may add a degree of protection by using a digital signature. There are two major instances in which a digital signature is required:

1. When transferring a sensitive document, such as a contract or financial statement, a digital signature can be used to confirm that it has not been tampered with.
2. If you’re working on a group project, you can use a digital signature to approve your work. This manner, everyone knows the job is genuine and trustworthy.
3. When completing an online form, you can use a digital signature to protect the safety and security of your information. This is especially true for documents that contain sensitive information, such as tax or medical filings.

Creating a Digital Signature

A digital signature is a convenient and safe method of electronically signing papers. When it comes time to sign a document, simply create a digital signature and attach it to the legal agreement. To produce a digital signature, follow these steps:

1. Use your eSign tool.
2. You can establish a digital signature after logging in by adding your name and other identifying details.
3. After you’ve finished creating the signature, you can save it to your computer or print it.
4. When you’re ready to sign a document, open it and click on the spot where you wish to put your signature. The signature will then be inserted into the document, which you can save and submit electronically.

c) Clickwrap Signature Example

Clickwrap is a type of electronic contract that is generated when a user does some action on a website, indicating their agreement to the terms and conditions of the website.

This can be handled in a variety of methods, but the most common is for the user to click a button or check a box labeled “I Agree” before accessing the site’s services.

The clickwrap agreement may also be presented in the form of a pop-up window, to which the user must consent before proceeding.

While clickwrap agreements are normally enforceable in court, they may not be considered lawful in certain circumstances, such as if the conditions are unfair or if the user was not given adequate notice of the agreement.

As a result, company websites must make certain that their clickwrap agreements are properly and publicly posted.

When should you use Clickwrap?

A clickwrap agreement is typically used when an individual enters into a contract with a business, such as downloading software or agreeing to terms of service.

An e-signature, on the other hand, can be utilized in a variety of contexts, such as signing a contract, document, or application.

An electronic signature is frequently incorporated within the document itself, as opposed to a clickwrap agreement, which is typically presented in a pop-up window or separate webpage. When both parties to the agreement are individuals rather than one individual and a firm, an electronic signature is frequently employed.

Customers may easily agree to Clickwrap agreements since they are simple, encrypted, and easy to understand. They are also legally binding and enforceable.

As a result, clickwrap agreements can make it much easier for businesses to enter into contracts on a large scale.

Electronic Signature Examples: Common types of Electronic Signatures

Electronic signatures are classified into three types: simple, advanced, and certified.

The legal framework provided in the 2016 electronic IDentification, Authentication, and Trust Services rule serves as the foundation for this regulation (eIDAS regulation).

Simple Electronic Signature (SES)

Simple electronic signatures are one of the types of electronic signatures that do not require signers’ identities to be verified.

A simple e-signature can be considered binding in many circumstances, but sometimes a higher level of verification and security is required.

SES can be used for a variety of tasks, including signing online documents and producing digital signatures. There are numerous benefits to adopting SES, including ease and cost-effectiveness. These characteristics make this signature helpful for a wide range of business contracts.

Qualified Electronic Signature (QES)

Qualified electronic signatures are more secure than simple or advanced signatures since they are based on a qualified certificate.

To establish a qualified electronic signature, the signatory must utilize a designated device that contains the qualified certificate of the signatory. This gadget is then used to generate a digital signature for the document.

The qualifying certificate contains the signatory’s public key, which can be used to validate the digital signature. Qualified electronic signatures provide an extra layer of protection and are frequently used for legal or financial documents.

Advanced Electronic Signature (AES)

A “unique identifier” related to the signatory’s identity, such as a digital certificate, supports advanced electronic signatures. This unique identifier can take the form of a digital certificate, which is a safe way of identifying yourself online.

AES differs from traditional signatures in that it may be used to authenticate the signatory’s identity and confirm that the document has not been tampered with. AES can also be used to track when and where documents were signed.

As a result, AES signatures give greater security and accountability than regular signatures.

Electronic Signature Examples: Legality of Electronic Signatures

Electronic signatures are legally binding in the United States, much like traditional signatures.

The Federal ESIGN Act of 2000 proclaimed that electronic signatures might be used to create legally binding contracts and agreements.

State laws generally acknowledge the legality of e-signatures as well. Certain sorts of documents, however, still require a traditional signature. Wills and trusts, for example, must often be signed in ink in the presence of witnesses.

WorkHub eSignatures: A Brief Overview

WorkHub eSignatures is one of the most useful (and least expensive) electronic signature software options available.

WorkHub eSignatures users are able to upload various documents by using the desktop or drag-and-drop options.

You can upload and track many papers at the same time using its e-signature program. You can also easily add a signature space to the page to tailor your eSignature procedures.

Our digital signature software can also be used to create several signature locations and collect signatures in bulk.

WorkHub eSignatures provides the most secure technique for digital signatures on the internet: those accepting sign requests will receive a security code on their email to double-check that the document is in the appropriate location, upholding the highest levels of security.

With WorkHub eSignatures, you can email documents to one or more recipients with a single click.

WorkHub eSignature‘s innovative dashboard allows you to add multiple signers to sign on a specific section of your document and share the file with everyone.

Our e-signature software provides customers with powerful features that eliminate the need for manual labor and the necessity to keep track of how many papers have been signed or not. It also provides important admin insights into workflows.

You can safely download all of the data after signing your online document with a single click. Your WorkHub account, which you can remove at any time, securely keeps your documents.

Book a free demo of WorkHub eSignature today to learn more about it.