eSign guide

All you need to know about eSign— in one place.

eSign guide

eSign basics

What is an electronic signature?

Legally speaking - per US Federal ESIGN Act - an electronic signature is “an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or logically associated with a contract or other record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record.” eIDAS Regulations in EU defines electronic signature as “data in electronic form which is attached to or logically associated with other data in electronic form and which is used by the signatory to sign.”

Generally speaking- an electronic signature is a legal way to give and get consent or approval on an electronic document. It is a way to mark a digital document in a way that it can be logically associated with both the document and the signers. Electronic signatures can replace handwritten signatures in virtually every personal or business process.

Uses of electronic signatures

Barring few exceptions, electronic signatures can be used for virtually every type of document— offer and employment letters, sales contracts, rental and lease agreements, funding and credit documents, pay slips, and every personal and business transactional document. DocuX is the only platform specifically designed for everyone and for every use case – Individuals and Freelancers, Startups and SMBs, as well as Enterprises.

Difference between electronic and digital signature

Digital signature is an advanced type of electronic signature out of many types of technologies and methods of electronic signatures. Digital signature is more secure and uses certificate based digital IDs from the trust service providers (TSPs) to verify signer identity and binds each signer to the document using the public-key infrastructure (PKI). For the users of any electronic signature platform, this difference is not visible or experienced as it is in the technology used in the application and not on the interface.

DocuX eSign is certificate-based digital signatures platform in the cloud. DocuX eSign is highly secure, more reliable than any other electronic signature methodology and makes it easy to verify authenticity of the signers.

Are electronic signatures legally valid?

Yes. In most countries around the world, electronic signatures are legally valid and enforceable just like hand-written signatures. The governing regulations may vary from country to country, yet most regulations are based on the same basic principles. The United States passed ESIGN Act in 2000, India enacted rules in 2015 under the Information Technology Act of 2000, and the EU enacted eIDAS in 2016 to make electronic signatures legal for virtually all uses. Other countries have also enacted similar laws as well. Learn more about legality of electronic signatures in your country.

DocuX eSign is specifically designed to ensure compliance with regulations irrespective of your place of business. In addition, DocuX gives you complete control of the platform to ensure compliance with your internal policies.

Security of DocuX eSign platform and documents

Security at DocuX is by design. We host your data and documents on the infrastructure that is certified compliant with the world’s most rigorous security standards like ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type 1, 2 and 3. Your data is safe with deffault 256bit encryption in-transit and at-rest. We follow industry standards in operational practices. Learn more about our security and compliances.

Creating your electronic signature

DocuX automatically creates your text-based electronic signature and initials at the time of your first sign-in. You can also draw your name or upload an image of your signature on Docux. At any time, you can change your electronic signature. For eSigning any document, you just need to click on the signature or initial box with your name. It is as easy as 1-2-3.

Document formats DocuX eSign supports

You can choose to continue with your existing DocuX document or upload any other document or contract directly for eSign. DocuX lets you upload PDF and Adobe PDF (.pdf), Microsoft Word (.doc and .docx), Text (.txt) files from your local drive, Google Drive, Dropbox, and One Drive.

eSigning of a document on DocuX is always free

If you have received a document for eSign on DocuX, it is and will always be free for you. Sign up to sign for free.

If you have sent a document for eSign on DocuX, it is and will always be free for all recipients to eSign.

If you are a registered user of Free-For-Life account, you can even send some documents free for eSign. Sign up to Get early access.

How to verify eSigned documents?

DocuX automatically generates and attaches a certificate with each eSigned document that ensures full, auditable trail for electronic signatures. The certificate provides necessary details of the date, location (IP address), time of eSigning along with other necessary information.

Additionally, we also provide you QR code and a verification link in the eSigned document should you wish to verify with DocuX.

Benefits of DocuX eSign

FREE, fast and efficient

No need to pay for electronic signature anymore. It’s free with every DocuX plan. Additionally, eSign saves upto 90% of the signature time and transaction costs compared to hand-written signatures.

Legally binding

eSign is legally valid and enforceable just like hand-written signatures in most countries. Transform the business without taking any additional risk. Check out legality of eSign in your country.

Secure

Electronic signatures are inherently more secure than hand-written signatures when executed correctly. DocuX eSign is fully secure and compliant with most rigorous security standards.

DocuX eSign features

Legally-binding eSign.
Sign in seconds, not days

Legally-binding eSignatures. Sign in seconds, not days

Accelerate your growth and sales process with native electronics signatures - absolutely free. Add your signature or request from others. We automate tracking and ensure data confidentiality and traceability of all involved parties. We attach an auditable signature certificate with each eSigned document for authenticity.

Legally-binding eSignatures. Sign in seconds, not days
Continue with your DocuX document or upload new

Continue with your DocuX document or upload new

You can choose to continue with an existing DocuX document or upload any other document or contract directly for eSign. We'll never get in the way of how you want to work.

Click and drop signature, initials and other fields

Click and drop signature, initials and other fields

Getting a document eSign ready is an easy click and drop. Add relevant fields, including signature, initials, email address, date, company name, and more for completeness.

Collaborate with eSigners on and off documents

Reach true agreement on the agreement. Collaborate seamlessly with eSigners on the document. Add comments, edits, or suggestions, annotate and discuss, and close fast.

No-code workflows

No-code workflows

You can create and edit transparent workflows to ensure all agreements and contracts are approved by internal decision-makers before being sent to eSigners. Configuring these workflows is easy and requires no code.

Track progress online

Track progress online

You have high visibility into how the agreement moves through the eSign process and between eSigners. From draft to eSigned— DocuX enables tracking across all stages in realtime additionally backed by alerts and notifications.

Countries that legally recognize eSign

We will soon update this section with country-wise guide on
local laws, regulations, related processes, and quick action points

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DISCLAIMER: The information on this site is for general information purposes only and is not intended to serve as legal advice. Laws governing the subject matter may change quickly, so DocuX cannot guarantee that all the information on this site is current or correct. Should you have specific legal questions about any of the information on this site, you should consult with a licensed attorney in your area.

Last updated: November 1, 2021