Are Electronic Signatures Legal in the US?

The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, commonly known as the ESIGN Act, was signed into federal law on June 30, 2000. It establishes a straightforward principle: a signature, contract, or other record may not be denied legal effect, validity, or enforceability solely because it is in electronic form. In practical terms this means that when you draw, type, or upload your signature using a tool like SigPDF, the document generally may not be denied legal effect merely because the signature is electronic. Disputes are then decided on the usual questions, such as whether you really signed and meant to.

The ESIGN Act applies to interstate and foreign commerce, covering virtually every commercial and consumer transaction that crosses state lines or involves digital communication. It does not mandate a specific technology — there is no requirement for a particular type of digital certificate, biometric verification, or proprietary platform. Any electronic sound, symbol or process adopted with the intent to sign can count as an electronic signature (15 U.S.C. § 7006(5)).

UETA — State-Level Reinforcement

The Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) is a model law drafted by the Uniform Law Commission in 1999, one year before the ESIGN Act. It was designed to provide a consistent state-level framework for electronic transactions. As of 2026, UETA is in force in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; New York has its own Electronic Signatures and Records Act instead.

Where UETA is adopted, the ESIGN Act generally defers to it, meaning state UETA law governs most intrastate transactions. The practical result is similar in every state: an e-signature generally may not be denied legal effect only because it is electronic, subject to the exceptions below.

Key Requirements for a Valid E-Signature Under U.S. Law

Both the ESIGN Act and UETA set out a few core requirements for an electronic signature to be enforceable:

• Intent to sign — The signer must demonstrate a clear intention to sign the document. Drawing your signature, typing your name in a signature field, or clicking an “I agree” button can all show this intent.
• Consent to do business electronically — All parties must agree to conduct the transaction in electronic form. This consent can be explicit or implied by conduct, such as both parties exchanging documents via email.
• Association of signature with the record — The electronic signature must be connected to the document it is intended to authenticate. When you sign a PDF with SigPDF, your signature is embedded in the file, which links it to that document.
• Record retention — The signed electronic record must be capable of being retained and accurately reproduced. A signed PDF file meets this standard because it can be saved, copied, and printed without alteration.

Exceptions — When an E-Signature Is Not Enough

While e-signatures generally work for most transactions, both the ESIGN Act and UETA carve out specific categories of documents that still require traditional wet-ink signatures or notarization:

• Wills, codicils, and testamentary trusts — Probate law in most states still requires handwritten signatures and witnesses, though some states are beginning to adopt electronic will statutes.
• Family law documents — Adoption, divorce, and other family court orders are generally excluded from ESIGN and UETA coverage.
• Court orders and notices — Official judicial documents, foreclosure notices, eviction notices, and similar legal process documents are typically excluded.
• Certain real estate documents — While standard real estate contracts and lease agreements can be e-signed, some jurisdictions require wet-ink signatures or notarization for deeds, mortgage documents, and title transfers. Requirements vary by state.
• UCC-governed documents — Certain negotiable instruments, such as checks and promissory notes under the Uniform Commercial Code, have specific signature requirements that may not be satisfied by a simple electronic signature.

For everyday business documents — contracts, agreements, invoices, proposals, NDAs, HR paperwork, and similar records — electronic signatures are generally accepted under U.S. law, unless a specific law or the other party requires something else.

Where SigPDF Fits In

SigPDF is a browser-based PDF signing tool built for speed, privacy, and simplicity. When you sign a document with SigPDF, your signature is embedded in the PDF, which links it to the record. The signed file can be saved, shared, and reproduced as signed, which helps with the record-keeping rule in 15 U.S.C. § 7001(e). It is a simple electronic signature, not a certificate-based one.

Because SigPDF processes everything inside your browser, your documents never leave your device. There are no server-side uploads, no third-party storage, and no risk of unauthorized access. This client-side approach provides a level of privacy that cloud-based signing platforms cannot match — particularly important when signing documents containing sensitive business terms, financial information, or personal data.

SigPDF costs €2.99 a month or €24.99 a year with unlimited signatures. There are no per-document fees, no envelope limits, and no upsells. You can sign from any device with a modern browser — desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone.

Signing a PDF with SigPDF Takes Under a Minute

1. Open your PDF in SigPDF — click “Choose File” or drag and drop
2. Create your signature by drawing, typing, or uploading an image
3. Place your signature on the document where needed
4. Download the signed PDF — your signature is permanently embedded

Step by step, with the date and initials, and what to do if you are asked for a certificate signature: how to electronically sign a PDF.

The Bottom Line

In most cases, an electronic signature works in the United States. The ESIGN Act says a signature, contract or other record may not be denied legal effect, validity or enforceability solely because it is electronic (15 U.S.C. § 7001(a)), and UETA says much the same under state law. That does not make every e-signature binding: wills, certain family-law and court documents and some notices are excluded (15 U.S.C. § 7003), and the person who asked for your signature can still ask for ink (15 U.S.C. § 7001(b)(2)). If a signature is questioned, what generally matters is whether you meant to sign and whether it can be linked to you. If you need to sign a PDF quickly and privately, SigPDF is built for that.

Sources: ESIGN Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 7001(a), 7001(b), 7001(e), 7003, 7006; Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (Uniform Law Commission). This is general information, not legal advice.