Electronic signatures have become a popular method of signing documents in today’s digital world. They offer convenience, security, and efficiency, making it easier for individuals and businesses to complete transactions and agreements quickly and easily. In this post, we will define electronic signatures and provide a step-by-step guide on how to do an electronic signature for free.
What’s inside?
What is an Electronic Signature?
An electronic signature, also known as an e-signature, is a digital representation of a person’s handwritten signature. It can take many forms, including a scanned image of a physical signature, a drawing of a signature using a mouse or touchpad, or even a typed name or initials.
Electronic signatures are legally binding and recognized by most countries around the world. They offer several benefits over traditional pen and paper signatures, such as increased security, convenience, and speed.
Also Read: What is contract management software
How to Create an Electronic Signature for Free?
Creating electronic signatures is easy and can be done for free using a variety of esignature online tools. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create digital signature for free:
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Step 1: Choose an Online Signature Maker
There are several online esignature makers available, such as DocuSign, HelloSign or Legitt. Choose one that offers a free plan that meets your needs.
Step 2: Create a Free Account
Register for a free account on the online signature maker’s website. You can sign up using your Google or Facebook account, or by creating a new account using your email address.
Step 3: Choose the Option to Create a New Signature
Once you’ve signed in, choose the option to create a new signature.
Step 4: Draw Your Signature or Upload an Image
You can either draw your signature using your touchpad or mouse, or upload an image of your signature. If you choose to draw your signature, use your touchpad or mouse to draw your signature on the screen. If you choose to upload an image, scan a copy of your signature or take a photo of it using your phone and save the image to your computer.
Step 5: Upload Your Signature
Upload the image of your signature to the online signature maker.
Step 6: Edit Your Signature
Edit your signature if necessary. You can change the color, size, and font of your signature to suit your preferences.
Step 7: Save Your Signature
Save your signature to your account.
Step 8: Sign Your Documents
You can now use your electronic signature to sign documents online. Simply upload the document to the online signature maker, add your signature, and save the signed document to your computer.
Also Read: How to Sign a PDF Document
Conclusion
Electronic signatures are a convenient and efficient way to sign documents in today’s digital world. They offer several benefits over traditional pen and paper signatures, such as increased security, convenience, and speed. Creating an electronic signature is easy and can be done for free using online signature makers. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can get electronic signature and start signing documents online today.
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FAQs on How to do an Electronic Signature
What is electronic signature and its types?
An electronic signature is a digital representation of a person's handwritten signature, used to sign documents in a secure and efficient manner. There are several types of electronic signatures, including simple electronic signatures, advanced electronic signatures, and qualified electronic signatures. A simple electronic signature is a basic electronic signature that uses a person's name or initials, while an advanced electronic signature uses additional security measures, such as encryption or biometrics, to ensure the signature's authenticity. A qualified electronic signature is a type of advanced electronic signature that is legally recognized as equivalent to a handwritten signature.
What is the difference between electronic signature and digital signature?
The main difference between electronic signature and digital signature is the level of security and authenticity they provide. Electronic signatures are a type of digital signature that represent a person's handwritten signature, while digital signatures use encryption and other security measures to ensure the integrity of a document. Digital signatures are often used for more sensitive transactions where security and legal validity are of the utmost importance, while electronic signatures are more commonly used for less critical documents.
Can electronic signature be handwritten?
Yes, an electronic signature can be handwritten using a touchpad, mouse, or stylus on a digital device. This method is often used to create a digital version of a person's handwritten signature, which can then be used to sign documents electronically in a secure and efficient manner.
Where all electronic signatures are used?
Electronic signatures are used in a wide range of industries and applications, including finance, healthcare, government, and legal services. They are commonly used to sign contracts, agreements, and other legal documents, as well as for remote identity verification and authentication. Electronic signatures are also used in e-commerce transactions and to sign and submit tax forms and other government documents.
Is electronic signature valid?
Yes, electronic signatures are legally valid and binding in most countries around the world. The legal validity of an electronic signature depends on several factors, such as the type of signature used, the identity of the signer, and the nature of the transaction or document being signed. However, in general, electronic signatures offer the same legal validity as traditional pen and paper signatures, and are recognized by courts and other legal authorities.
Is a scanned signature an electronic signature?
Yes, a scanned signature can be considered an electronic signature. A scanned signature is a digital image of a person's handwritten signature that can be added to electronic documents to serve as a signature. While a scanned signature is not as secure or authentic as other types of electronic signatures that use encryption or biometrics, it can still be legally binding and accepted in many situations. However, it is important to ensure that the scanned signature is of high quality and cannot be easily altered or forged.
What makes an eSignature legal?
Several factors contribute to making an eSignature legally binding, including the identity of the signer, the intent to sign, and the authenticity and integrity of the signed document. To ensure legal validity, it is essential that the eSignature solution used provides sufficient security measures and complies with applicable laws and regulations, such as the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce (ESIGN) Act in the United States or the eIDAS Regulation in the European Union.
Can we create electronic signature in Word?
Yes, you can insert an electronic signature in a Word document. One way to do this is to create a digital image of your signature and insert it as an image into the Word document. Alternatively, you can use a specialized eSignature software or add-in that integrates with Word and allows you to sign documents electronically. Some eSignature solutions like Legitt also offer the ability to create and sign documents directly within the Word interface, making the process even more streamlined and efficient.