Electronic Signatures (e-Sign)
Collecting electronic signatures has never been easier. This article will help you get set up for your first electronically signed document.
Intro
Collecting electronic signatures is a secure and legally binding using 3B Docs. If you need to learn more about the legality of collected electronic signatures, please reach out to our support team.
How To
Any template document can be converted to an electronically signed template by enabling the "Use Electronic Signature" option at the time of creating a new template or when editing an existing template.
It is important to also add the special merge tag #{Functions:Signature} in all locations within the document where the electronic signature will be signed and stamped.
Collecting a Signature
Once a document is distributed, the user viewing the document that is enabled for electronic signatures will have a new button "Sign Now" available in the utilities bar.
When the user clicks to sign the document, they will be required to enter their name and draw a signature using their mouse / touch enabled device.
When the user adopts the electronic signature, the document will be re-rendered with the electronic signature stamped in all places where the special merge tag #{Functions:Signature} was added and a copy will be saved against the Document Trace record associated with the signing of the document.
We will save the electronic signature as a JSON and PNG file against the Document Trace as this lets us prove authenticity in some locals.
Working with HTML inputs
When HTML Elements are added to a template, upon signing, we will validate if the template has a value and one is required (i.e. the element is marked as required) and we will convert the HTML input into a read-only version upon successful signing.
Legality
US
Electronic signatures are valid in all U.S. states and are granted the same legal status as handwritten signatures under state laws.
Canda
Electronic signatures are legally recognized in Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec) and are provided for at the federal level by the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (“PIPEDA”), as well as by provincial specific legislation in each of the provinces and territories.
UK
Electronic signatures are legally recognized in the United Kingdom and are provided for in the Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions Regulations (“Regulations”) in 2016, the Electronic Communications Act of 2000 (“ECA”), and the Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/89) (the “UK eIDAS Regulation”).
Scotland
Scotland has formally recognized eSignatures since 2002, with the Electronic Signatures Regulations 2002, established after the passing of the EU Directive on electronic signatures in 1999.
Ireland
As an EU member-country, Ireland has legally recognized eSignatures since 2000, with the Electronic Commerce Act, established after the passing of the EU Directive in 1999.
Australia
Electronic signatures are legally recognized in Australia and are provided for by the Electronic Transactions Act of 1999 (Cth) (“ETA”) and its implementing regulations, the Electronic Transactions Regulations 2000 (Cth) (“ETR”), at the federal level as well as by various State and Territory laws and regulations at the local level.
Belgium
As an EU member-country, Belgium has legally recognized eSignatures since 2000, with The Acts of 20 October 2000 and 9 July 2001, established after the implementation of the EU Directive in 1999.
Netherlands
Electronic signatures are legally recognized in the Netherlands and are provided for in the eIDAS Regulation No. 910/2014 and the eIDAS Regulation is implemented into section 3:15a of the Dutch Civil Code
Germany
Electronic signatures are legally recognized in Germany and are provided for in eIDAS Regulation No. 910/2014 and law implementing eIDAS, the so-called Trust Services Act (Vertrauensdienstegesetz - VDG) that aims to facilitate the use of electronic trust services in Germany.
Austria
As an EU member-country, Austria has legally recognized eSignatures since 1999, with the Federal Signature Law, established after the passing of the EU Directive in 1999.
Israel
Electronic signatures are legally recognized in Israel and are provided for in Electronic Signature Law, 5761-2001 ("ESL").
France
Electronic signatures are legally recognized in France and are provided for in eIDAS Regulation No. 910/2014. They are supplemented by the French Civil Code, and in particular by Decree No 2017-1416 of 28 September 2017.
Italy
As an EU member-country, Italy has legally recognized eSignatures since 2005, with the PbEG L 13, established after the passing of the EU Directive in 1999.
Switzerland
Electronic signatures are legally recognized in Switzerland and their use is covered in the Federal Act on Electronic Signatures (“EAS”) and the Swiss Code of Obligations (“CO”).
Spain
Electronic signatures are legally recognized in Spain and are provided for in the eIDAS Regulation No. 910/2014, Law 6/2020, November 11 on certain aspects of Electronic Trust Services, and the Spanish Electronic Commerce Act 34/2002.
Finland
As an EU member-country, Finland has legally recognized eSignatures since 2009, with The Act on Strong Electronic Identification and Electronic Signatures, established after the passing of the EU Directive in 1999.
Sweden
As an EU member-country, Sweden has legally recognized eSignatures since 2000, with the Qualified Electronic Signatures Act, established after the passing of the EU Directive in 1999.
Poland
Electronic Signature has been recognized by law in Poland since 2001, with the passage of the Electronic Signature Act.
Others
Get in touch or check the local legislation