What Documents can be Signed using E-signatures?

The ability to sign documents online is a game-changer for businesses. But are all types of documents signed electronically considered valid? If not, then what kind of documents can you actually sign online? 

Whether you run a small business or a mid-sized company, knowing what's possible with eSignatures can help you streamline your processes and save incremental amounts of time.

In this post, we'll dive into the practical stuff and explore the wide range of documents you can sign electronically, including the key requirements to increase their legal validity. Let's jump in.

Understanding Legal Electronic Signatures

Before we get into the types of documents you can sign electronically, let's break down what a legal electronic signature is. 

An electronic signature is like a digital version of your handwritten signature. It holds the same legal weight as a traditional pen-and-paper signature, provided certain conditions are met.

These conditions ensure the security and authenticity of the digital signature, making it a valuable tool in our modern digital business world.

Critical Requirements for Legal eSignatures

• Authentication and identity verification: So, first things first, when it comes to eSignatures, businesses need to verify who's signing. This means having solid identity verification methods in place to make sure the person signing is who they claim to be. It's all about ensuring that eSignatures are used legitimately.
• Consent and intent: Here's the deal—for eSignatures to hold up, both parties involved need to be on the same page. Both should be in agreement about using eSignatures, and they need to clearly express their consent to this method. This way, there are no surprises, and everyone's on the same legal footing.
• Audit trails and security: Now, you've got to have a paper trail, so to speak, even in the digital world. This means keeping a secure and tamper-proof record of the entire signing process. It's known as an audit trail, and it's not just good practice; it's essential for legal purposes. 

The Versatility of eSignatures

What's cool about eSignatures is they work for all sorts of electronic signature legal documents. So, here are some common ones that businesses can sign electronically to make their lives easier:

Contracts

Whether it's a basic service agreement, a vendor contract, or even a complicated partnership deal, eSignatures make the whole contract-signing thing way simpler. Plus, you save time, cut down on mistakes, and keep your documents safe and sound.

Agreements

Any type of agreement, from non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to lease agreements, can be signed electronically. This provides a secure and efficient way to formalize your business relationships.

Waivers and Releases

For businesses that require waivers or releases, such as fitness centers or event organizers, eSignatures make it easy for customers to sign these documents before participating in an activity or event.

Employment-Related Documents

You can also make your HR life easier by using eSignatures for things like offer letters, HR forms, and employee contracts. It's not just about saving time; it's also about keeping your employee records neat and tidy.

Financial Documents

From loan agreements to mortgage papers, eSignatures are a game-changer in the financial sector. Your clients can easily and securely sign these important documents online.

Specialized Use Cases

In addition to these common document types, there are specific use cases where eSignatures prove invaluable:

Real Estate Transactions

Real estate professionals can use eSignatures for purchase agreements, leases, and mortgage documents, making the buying and selling process smoother and more efficient.

Healthcare Documents

In the healthcare sector, eSignatures play a crucial role in maintaining compliance with regulations like HIPAA. They are used for consent forms, patient records, and other healthcare-related documents.

Intellectual Property Agreements

Businesses that deal with intellectual property, such as patents and copyrights, can benefit from the security and efficiency of eSignatures.

Documents from A to Z

The list of documents that can be signed electronically goes beyond the examples mentioned above. It includes:

• Auto insurance forms
• Benefits paperwork
• Deeds
• Employee stock option forms
• Eviction notices
• I-9 forms
• Insurance application forms
• Insurance claims forms
• Invoices
• Budget proposals
• Project proposals
• Official quotes
• Freelance contracts
• Non-compete agreements
• Purchase orders
• Investment paperwork
• Lien waivers
• Loan applications
• Marriage certificates
• NDAs
• Onboarding paperwork
• Online applications
• Patent applications
• Payroll applications
• Release documents
• Rental applications
• Sales contracts
• Temporary service contracts
• Transcript requests
• User onboarding paperwork
• Vendor applications
• Vendor contracts
• W-2 forms
• Warranties
• Wills

It's an extensive list, and that is because of the flexibility of eSignatures that makes them suitable for virtually any document that requires a signature.

The Benefits of eSignatures for Small and Mid-Sized Businesses

Now that we've explored the many documents that can be signed electronically, it's important to highlight the benefits that eSignatures bring to small and mid-sized businesses.

Improve process efficiency

eSignatures expedite the signing process, reducing the time it takes to get important documents signed and completed.

Save money on operational costs

By eliminating the need for printing, scanning, and mailing documents, eSignatures can significantly reduce operational costs.

Enhance security of documents

eSignatures come with advanced security measures, ensuring the integrity and authenticity of the signed documents.

Reduce organizational efforts

Electronic documents are easy to store and organize, reducing the clutter and chaos of paper records.

Easily accessible

eSignatures can be executed anywhere with an internet connection, making it convenient for businesses with remote employees or clients.

Choosing the Right eSignature Platform

To fully leverage the benefits of eSignatures, small and mid-sized business owners should choose a reliable eSignature platform like Blueink.

Blueink offers a user-friendly experience and amazing features, such as high-security, proof of evidence, branding options, and mobile accessibility, to meet the needs of businesses on the go.

In summary: What documents can be signed using e-signatures?

To sum it up, eSignatures are a game-changer for small and mid-sized businesses. You've seen the long list of documents that can go digital, and the benefits are crystal clear.

By getting on board with Blueink, you're streamlining your business, saving money, and running things more efficiently. So, what are you waiting for? Schedule a demo today >>