What is an electronic signature?
An electronic signature is an electronic sound, symbol or process a person uses with intent to sign a record.
An electronic signature is an electronic sound, symbol or process attached to or logically associated with a record and used by a person with intent to sign it. Examples include typing a name, drawing a mark, clicking a clearly labelled signing button or using a certificate-backed signature.
The legal definition focuses on intent and association with the record, not one required technology. In the United States, 15 U.S.C. §7006 defines the term. In the European Union, eIDAS defines electronic-signature data as data used by the signatory to sign.
Common electronic-signature examples
| Example | What the visible act shows | Evidence still needed |
|---|---|---|
| Typed name under an agreement | The person entered or adopted the name | Intent, attribution and the agreed record |
| Drawn signature on a phone | The person created a familiar visual mark | Who used the device, consent and file integrity |
| Click on “Sign and finish” | A clear affirmative action | The signer, timestamp, document version and authentication result |
| Certificate-backed PDF signature | A signing key covered the file | Certificate validity, key-to-person binding, intent and authority |
Electronic signature vs digital signature
An electronic signature is the legal and process category. A digital signature is a public-key cryptography mechanism that can detect changes and identify the signing key. A digital signature can strengthen an electronic-signature record, but the two terms are not interchangeable.
What makes the record defensible?
A useful signing record should answer five questions:
- Who was invited, and how was the signing link or credential issued?
- What did the person do that clearly showed intent to sign?
- What consent or disclosure did the person see before signing?
- Which exact document version and fields were associated with the act?
- Can the completed record and its audit trail be retained and checked later?
The ESIGN Act's federal rule prevents rejection solely because a record or signature is electronic, while preserving other legal requirements and consumer-disclosure conditions. eIDAS Article 25 applies a similar non-discrimination rule in the EU and gives qualified electronic signatures a specific handwritten-signature equivalence.
If you only need an image for a document you control, the free signature generator creates a transparent PNG or SVG in your browser. For an agreement with another person, use a signing flow that records intent, consent, identity evidence and the associated document. The guide to how electronic signatures work follows that process end to end.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as an electronic signature?
An electronic sound, symbol or process can count when it is attached to or logically associated with a record and used with intent to sign. The applicable law and document type still matter.
Is clicking a button an electronic signature?
It can be when the button clearly communicates the signing action and the system preserves the person's intent, identity evidence and associated record.
Are electronic signatures legally binding?
They generally cannot be denied effect solely because they are electronic in the US and EU. Enforceability still depends on applicable law, consent, authority, required formalities and evidence. Read the legal-validity guide.
Do electronic signatures require a certificate?
No. Some electronic signatures use certificates and digital signatures; many use other methods. Higher-assurance or regulated transactions may require a specific signature level.
Can I try an evidence-backed electronic signature?
Yes. Start a 7-day trial to send a document. The recipient can sign without creating an account.
Last reviewed 2026-10-15. Pactlyra produces a detailed evidence record for every completed document. Electronic signature validity depends on your jurisdiction, the document type, and how the transaction is carried out; nothing here is legal advice.