The independent authority on e-signatures
Clear, attorney-reviewed legal guides, definitions, and tools — from ESIGN to eIDAS.
Legal Guides
View all guides →The ESIGN Act Explained
A comprehensive guide to the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act — what it covers, what it excludes, and how it applies to your business.
Are Digital Signatures Legally Binding in the US?
A guide to the legal validity of digital signatures under US federal and state law, including key exceptions and industry-specific requirements.
What is an Electronic Signature?
A plain-English explanation of electronic signatures — what they are, how they work, and when they are legally valid.
Glossary
Browse A–Z →Advanced Electronic Signature
An electronic signature that is uniquely linked to the signatory, capable of identifying them, and linked to the data in a way that detects subsequent changes.
Certificate Authority
A trusted entity that issues digital certificates, verifying the identity of certificate holders and enabling encrypted communications.
Digital Signature
A cryptographic mechanism that uses public-key infrastructure (PKI) to verify the authenticity and integrity of a digital document.
ESIGN Act
The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (15 U.S.C. § 7001), a US federal law giving legal effect to electronic signatures in interstate commerce.
Electronic Signature
Any electronic symbol, process, or sound associated with a contract or record and adopted by a person with the intent to sign.
PKI
Public Key Infrastructure — a system of hardware, software, policies, and procedures used to create, manage, and distribute digital certificates.