In an effort to reduce reliance on paper, many industrialized countries have passed laws establishing standards for electronic signatures and ensuring their legal validity. These laws, known as “Electronic Signature Laws,” aim to make electronic documents as legally binding as paper-based ones.
Standard Electronic Signatures (SES) are a distinct legal concept from Digital Signatures (DES) and Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES). While SES can be as simple as a symbol entered on an electronic document, DS and QES are typically used in e-commerce and regulatory filings due to their cryptographic protection and legal requirements. However, due to their complex and expensive acquisition processes, DS and QES are not cost-effective for everyday administrative tasks.
The concept of electronic signatures is not new. Common law jurisdictions have recognized telegraph signatures since the mid-19th century and faxed signatures since the 1980s.
Here are some common use cases for FastSign, a SES Document program:
- Purchase orders, order acknowledgments, quotes, invoices
- Minutes of meetings
- Shipment documentation
- Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)
- Procurement documents
- Certain types of sales agreements
- Consumer agreements, including new retail account opening documents.
- HR documents, such as regular employment contracts, privacy notices, and other new employee onboarding processes (except termination notices)
- Standard residential and commercial lease agreements
- Commercial agreements between corporate entities or other parties
This is just a brief list of documents that qualify for FastSign. There are thousands more types of documents that can be signed electronically. If you are still emailing documents that require printing, scanning, and resending, consider using FastSign for a more secure and efficient process.
Please note: This information is not intended as legal advice. Always consult with a local attorney if you have any questions.
Here is a summary of key points:
- Electronic Signature Laws are designed to make electronic documents legally binding.
- Standard Electronic Signatures (SES) are a simpler and more cost-effective option for everyday use compared to Digital Signatures (DS) and Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES).
- FastSign BY U-Sign-It can be used for a variety of documents.