How to create an electronic signature

FAQs

• How do electronic signatures work?

  An electronic signature is a computerized format of a traditional signature that is used to sign documents digitally or electronically. A document can be electronically signed by affixing an image of the recipient's signature or typing out the recipient's name. With Zoho Sign, you can type, draw, or upload a picture of your signature and use it to sign documents.

• What documents can be signed electronically?

  Electronic signatures can be used for a wide range of documents, such as offer letters, rental agreements, financial agreements, and more. Any document requiring a signature can be signed electronically for convenience and efficiency.

  Note: Documents that specifically require digital signatures or notarization cannot be signed with simple electronic signatures.

• How secure are electronic signatures?

  Electronic signature is a convenient method for signing documents, though verifying signer identity might pose a challenge. However, digital signatures, an enhanced version of electronic signatures, provide increased security compared to simple electronic signatures. Digital signatures are based on the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) technology making them tamperproof, and ensuring the authenticity of the signature in signed documents. Additionally, digital signature apps like Zoho Sign also provide a certificate of completion containing supplementary information such as other details of the signers and timestamps.

• Are electronic signatures legally valid?

  Yes, electronic signatures are legally binding in many countries, including India, the United States, and the European Union. The Information Technology Act of 2000 and other relevant regulations, and laws like ESIGN Act in the US, eIDAS in the EU recognize the use of electronic signatures and treat them as equivalent to physical signatures under certain conditions of implementation/application. Zoho Sign is compliant with these regulations, which are widely accepted.

  Note: For those countries which do not have electronic signature regulations in place, it may be legally accepted, subject to local laws.

• Can I use the same copy-pasted electronic signature on multiple documents?

  Yes, you can use the same copy-pasted electronic signature on multiple documents. However, when it comes to digital signatures, the same cannot be done, as they are bound to each specific document by cryptography. Each digital signature includes a hash value that uniquely matches the content it's signing, preventing it from being copied to other documents. For legal enforceability, digital signatures must commonly also verify signer identity. For this reason, Zoho Sign partners with leading identity-based digital authentication providers for verifying signer identity.

• Does Zoho Sign offer Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES)?

  Yes, Zoho Sign offers Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) by integrating with various Qualified Trust Service Providers like EU eID, InfoCert, Uanataca and Swisscom Trust Services to allow users sign documents with QES. QES offers the highest level of assurance, as it is valid in the court of law and considered legally equivalent to handwritten signatures both in the EU and Switzerland, in accordance with the eIDAS regulation and the ZertES Swiss Federal law. Documents signed with QES also carry an embedded timestamp which means that the signature was made at that point in time and it cannot be altered after it was signed.