Signing a document electronically takes less time than printing it. Most people complete the whole process, from receiving the document to returning the signed copy, in under five minutes. Here is exactly how it works.
What Is an Electronic Signature and Is It Legal?
What counts as an electronic signature?
An electronic signature is any electronic indicator that you intend to agree to a document. Typing your name, drawing a signature with your finger or a stylus, clicking an “I agree” button, or applying a cryptographic certificate all qualify.
The legal framework is straightforward. The US ESIGN Act, India’s IT Act, EU eIDAS, Australia’s Electronic Transactions Act, and most equivalent laws globally recognise e-signatures as legally binding for commercial, employment, and most personal documents.
When can you not use an electronic signature?
Wills, certain notarised property deeds, and some court documents still require wet ink in most jurisdictions. For everything else in a standard business or personal context, e-signatures are appropriate.
How to Sign a Document Electronically Using SignPe
Step 1: Create your account
Go to SignPe and register with your email address. The process takes a few minutes. No technical setup is required. If you are signing a document sent to you by someone else, you do not need an account at all.
Step 2: Upload your document
Click the upload button and select your document from your device, or import directly from Google Drive or Dropbox. PDF is the standard format and the most widely accepted for signed documents. If your document is in Word format, convert it to PDF before uploading to ensure the layout does not shift.
Step 3: Add recipients and signature fields
Enter the email addresses of everyone who needs to sign. Drag and drop signature fields, initial fields, and date fields onto the document in the locations where each person needs to sign.
If multiple people need to sign in a specific order, set the signing sequence here. The document will not go to the next signer until the previous one has completed their step.
Step 4: Send for signature
Click Send. Each recipient receives an email with a secure link to the document. They do not need a SignPe account to sign. They click the link, review the document, click on the signature field, apply their signature, and submit.
The process takes under two minutes for a straightforward single-page document.
Step 5: Receive the completed document
Once all parties have signed, everyone automatically receives a copy of the completed document. The copy includes a full audit trail: timestamps, authentication method, IP addresses, and a cryptographic record of the document at the time of signing.
You do not need to follow up, chase anyone, or send reminders manually. SignPe handles automated reminders for unsigned documents.
How Can You Sign a Document if You Receive a Signing Request?
What does the signing process look like for the recipient?
You receive an email from the sender with a link to review and sign the document. Click the link. The document opens in your browser. No download, no account setup.
You will see a signature field with a prompt to sign. You have three options:
Draw your signature using your mouse, finger, or stylus directly in the field.
Type your name and select from a set of signature styles the platform generates.
Upload an image of your existing handwritten signature.
Click Finish or Submit. The document is complete. You receive a copy automatically.
Is It Safe to Sign Documents Electronically?
How does SignPe protect signed documents?
Several layers are in use. Documents are encrypted in transit and at rest. A cryptographic hash is generated at the point of signing: if the document is altered afterward, the hash no longer matches and the tampering is immediately visible.
The audit trail records who accessed the document, when, and from what device. Authentication is tied to the email address of each recipient, with options for additional verification including one-time passcodes and multi-factor authentication for higher-risk documents.
What can you use e-signatures for?
The common use cases for individuals and businesses include:
- Business contracts and service agreements
- Employment contracts and onboarding documents
- NDAs and confidentiality agreements
- Real estate rental agreements (not property deeds)
- Financial documents and loan agreements
- Client consent forms and waivers
- Purchase orders and vendor agreements
For a full list of supported document types and SignPe’s platform features, the features page covers what the platform handles end to end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sign a document electronically on my phone?
Yes. SignPe works on any browser on any device. You can draw your signature with your finger directly on the touchscreen. No app download is required.
What file formats does SignPe accept for signing?
PDF is the primary format. Documents in Word or other editable formats should be converted to PDF before uploading. PDF preserves the document layout and is harder to alter after signing.
How do I know a document I signed has not been altered?
The cryptographic hash embedded at signing is your verification. If the document is altered after you sign, the hash changes and the signature is automatically invalidated. You can also review the full audit trail from your SignPe dashboard. If you have questions about a specific document, the SignPe support centre can walk you through the verification process.
Does the person sending me a document need to use SignPe?
Yes, the sender needs a SignPe account. You as the recipient do not. You receive a link by email and sign in your browser without creating an account.
How long are signed documents stored in SignPe?
Documents are stored securely in encrypted cloud storage. Retention periods depend on your plan. For compliance-sensitive documents, check that your retention period matches the legal requirement for your document type and jurisdiction.