Yes. Electronic signatures are legally binding in the United States, European Union, and most countries worldwide. Here's everything you need to know.

The ESIGN Act (United States)

The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN Act), signed into law on June 30, 2000, gives electronic signatures the same legal status as handwritten signatures. Under 15 U.S.C. § 7001, a signature “may not be denied legal effect, validity, or enforceability solely because it is in electronic form.”

UETA (Uniform Electronic Transactions Act)

UETA has been adopted by 49 U.S. states (all except New York, which has its own equivalent law). It provides the legal framework for electronic signatures in state-level transactions and complements the federal ESIGN Act.

eIDAS (European Union)

The eIDAS regulation provides a legal framework for electronic signatures across all EU member states. It defines three levels of electronic signatures: simple, advanced, and qualified. SignBolt provides advanced electronic signatures that meet eIDAS requirements.

What Makes an E-Signature Legally Valid?

Intent to sign: The signer must clearly intend to sign the document.
Consent: All parties must consent to conducting business electronically.
Association: The signature must be connected to the specific document.
Record retention: A complete record of the signing process must be maintained.

How SignBolt Ensures Legal Compliance

Every document signed through SignBolt includes:

A complete audit trail with timestamps
IP address logging for each signer
Tamper-evident sealing of the signed document
Unique document hash verification
Signer identity verification

Exceptions

Certain documents cannot be signed electronically under the ESIGN Act, including: wills, family law matters (adoption, divorce), court orders, cancellation of utilities, and documents related to hazardous materials.

Are Electronic Signatures Legally Binding?