Legal validity · United States
Are electronic signatures legal in the US?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid and enforceable across the United States for commercial contracts, under the federal ESIGN Act (2000) and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA), which nearly every state has adopted. This guide explains how the two laws work together, what makes a signature valid, and the documents ESIGN specifically excludes.
The laws that govern e-signatures in the US
Two complementary laws apply. The federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN), 2000, gives electronic signatures and records the same legal effect as their paper equivalents in interstate and foreign commerce. At the state level, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA, 1999) does the same within a state — and it has been adopted by nearly every US state plus D.C. New York has not adopted UETA but provides comparable recognition through its own Electronic Signatures and Records Act (ESRA).
Under both laws, a contract or signature “may not be denied legal effect, validity, or enforceability solely because it is in electronic form.” For most commercial agreements — service contracts, NDAs, engagement letters, quotes and approvals — a Simple Electronic Signature with a reliable audit trail is sufficient and enforceable.
What makes an e-signature valid under ESIGN & UETA
Both laws look for four core elements:
Intent to sign
The signer clearly intends to sign. SignLab requires each signer to actively draw or confirm a signature and click to agree.
Consent to do business electronically
The parties agree to transact electronically (for consumers, ESIGN sets specific disclosure rules). SignLab’s signing flow includes a clear disclosure the signer must accept.
Association of signature with the record
The signature is clearly linked to the document it signs. SignLab binds the signature into the sealed PDF.
Record retention
The signed record can be retained and accurately reproduced. SignLab stores a tamper-evident PDF and a downloadable Certificate of Completion.
Documents ESIGN excludes
ESIGN specifically carves out certain categories. Do not use SignLab for:
- Wills, codicils and testamentary trusts
- Adoption, divorce and other family-law matters
- Court orders, notices and official court documents
- Notices of cancellation or termination of utility services
- Notices of default, acceleration, foreclosure, repossession or eviction on a primary residence
- Product-recall notices and notices of health or safety risks
- Documents required to accompany the transport of hazardous materials
Some states (e.g. New York for certain notarised real-estate transfers) add their own requirements. If you are unsure whether an electronic signature is valid for your document, consult an attorney in the relevant state.
How SignLab meets the law’s requirements
Every document signed through SignLab carries the evidence needed to stand behind a signature:
- A tamper-evident PDF sealed with a SHA-256 hash, so any later change is detectable
- A full audit trail — sent, viewed and signed events, each with a UTC timestamp
- IP address and device captured at every event, plus approximate signer geolocation
- A QR code on every signed PDF linking to a public verification page
- A Certificate of Completion you can download and share with counterparties
Send a legally valid document in the US
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Get started freeState-specific legal questions? Email legal@signlab.app.