Do you wonder how to sign a document online, anywhere and everywhere you want?
In today's digital world, the ability to sign documents online has become essential. Whether you're finalizing a contract, signing an agreement, or approving a form, online signatures save time, reduce paper waste, and streamline your business processes.
First of all, it is important that we dive into the definition of an electronic and digital signature. The terms "electronic signature" and "digital signature" are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings and functions. Understanding the difference between the two is essential for ensuring proper use and compliance with legal standards. If you want to know how to sign documents online, it is also important to choose the right type of signature for the documents you want to sign.
What is an electronic signature?
An electronic signature, often referred to as an e-signature, is a digital form of signing a document, indicating that the signer agrees to the terms and conditions outlined within it.
It’s fast to set up and simple to create it.
It’s a broad term that refers to any electronic method of indicating consent or approval on a digital document. This can include a variety of forms such as:
- Typing a name at the end of an email
- Clicking an "I agree" button on a website
- Drawing a signature on a touchscreen device
- Uploading a scanned image of a handwritten signature
The primary purpose of an electronic signature is to signify the intent of the signer to agree to the terms and conditions of the document. E-signatures are designed for convenience and can vary widely in terms of security and verification. While many e-signature platforms offer some level of authentication (like email verification or SMS codes), the security level can be relatively low compared to digital signatures.
What is the difference between an electronic signature and a digital signature?
A digital signature is a specific type of electronic signature that uses cryptographic technology to provide a higher level of security and assurance. Digital signatures are created using a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), which involves:
- Generating a unique digital fingerprint (hash) of the document.
- Encrypting the hash with the signer's private key, creating the digital signature.
- Attaching the digital signature to the document.
Digital signatures ensure the authenticity and integrity of the signed document by enabling recipients to verify that the document has not been altered since it was signed and that the signature is indeed from the purported signer. This is achieved through the use of digital certificates issued by trusted Certificate Authorities (CAs). These certificates provide a means to authenticate the identity of the signer and ensure that the signature cannot be repudiated.
It provides a higher level of authentication than a basic electronic signature. The two levels of digital signatures that are accepted online are Advanced and Qualified electronic Signatures. Read our blog to know the difference.
How to sign documents online with eSignHaven?
In a few clicks a document is signed online with our digital signature platform with the preferred type of signature.
- Upload the document you want to sign.
- Add signature fields in the size and position you want.
- Choose your signature style.
- Confirm your signature.
- Final step: send, save or download the signed document.
eSignHaven offers a varied range of electric signature methods. Discover it here
Ready to start signing documents online with eSignHaven? Start today!