Guide to Electronic Signatures: US Law, Security, and Lawrina Sign
How often do people sign documents? Be it for renting a home, starting a new job, or finalizing a crucial loan — at some point, we all ink our signatures on paper.
But isn’t it high time we modernize this process? Signing now becomes less about ink and paper and more about clicks and convenience. That’s where electronic signature, or eSign, steps in. And ~1.33 billion people worldwide are already using the eSignature service to their benefit.
What Is Lawrina Sign?
With 250+ templates in our database, introducing secure electronic signatures was a logical next step to complement Lawrina’s existing services.
Electronic signatures are all about convenience — users can sign documents anytime, anywhere, avoiding the need for in-person meetings or mailing physical copies. This simplifies the signing process, boosts productivity, and reduces manual handling and processing time.
Lawrina Sign is an option for businesses and individuals seeking to replace traditional ‘wet’ signatures. Free electronic signatures made with Lawrina are perfect for routine document work or one-off tasks. These electronic signatures, implemented for legal documents, are digital versions of handwritten ones, fully legit and legally binding
77% of clients are more likely to recommend businesses that use e-signature.
Lawrina offers unlimited space to create and store legal documents in PDF format, get relevant legal information, find a lawyer for free, and now sign documents — all in one space.
Most importantly, Lawrina Sign keeps secure electronic signatures with strong encryption and authentication. This protects document integrity and privacy, reducing the chances of tampering or unauthorized access. Users can trust the confidentiality of their electronic signatures.
How to sign documents with Lawrina?
Everything starts with the account at Lawrina. As soon as you have it, you can start by uploading personal files on thee Lawrina Sign landing page or making your legal document using a ready-made template from Lawrina.
Imagine you need to sign some documents you already have. After you upload a file, you will see an all-in-one editor that allows you to add text blocks, insert images, embed links, and draw symbols right in your document.
You won’t get lost among the file edits if there are a dozen pages. A search toolbar will navigate you to the necessary word or page number across the document.
Another scenario is when you have filled in one of the templates available at Lawrina and want to sign it. Each Lawrina template has questions explaining its essence, helping you complete the document correctly. Your answers are automatically inserted into the template, making it unique and specifically adapted to your legal needs.
When you’re done with edits, you can design and add an e-signature to your document. Don’t forget to save all the changes before you exit the editor.
When you finish, save the signed document to your account for instant access and other tasks, such as printing, making copies, or downloading.
eSignatures vs. US Law
Generally and legally speaking, eSignatures are valid for all US legal documents. But exceptions exist. Last wills, sworn statements, and revocable living trusts need in-person signatures. This is needed to prevent fraud and validate the documents. Witnesses or notaries are required, too.
When it comes to estate planning or signing significant life documents, the old-fashioned pen-on-paper way still holds its place. It ensures every directive is noted, respected, and honored accurately.
Lawrina eSignatures abide by US law, particularly the ESIGN Act, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA), and Electronic Signatures and Records Act (ESRA), governed by New York State.
According to these eSignature laws, here’s what makes an e-signature legally enforceable:
- Willful intent: The signer chooses and agrees to an electronic signature of their creation.
- Accessibility: After signing, the document is stored and can be accessed within the signed account.
- An “audit trail”: A detailed history of document interactions is kept. This includes timestamps for actions such as opening, viewing, or editing a document, plus the user’s email and IP address. It’s all about authenticity and managing unauthorized changes.
Are eSignatures safe and secure to use?
Creating secure eSignatures is a multi-layered process. First, your data stays shielded with encryption that wards off unauthorized access. Adherence to legal mandates like the ESIGN Act, UETA, and ESRA offers a security layer, making eSignatures legally binding.
Other measures, such as password protection, two-factor authentication, and secure storage, deliver additional protection to your documents and signatures.
Lawrina Sign takes this security up a notch. We opt for leading-edge encryption for superior protection and conform strictly to legal regulations. This blend of technology and lawful backup results in secure eSignatures.
What’s more, Lawrina Sign assures the confidentiality of your signed documents with secure storage provisions.
What steps are taken to verify the identity of a signer?
Let’s say you find a service that’s ultra-secure, promising safe data storage. But how do you stop others from signing a document with your name? Here’s how eSignature providers help ensure signer identities:
Email verification is popular. You receive and respond to a confirmation email – it’s proof of identity.
Sometimes, you get a unique access code. This extra step boosts security and confirms identity.
Some systems employ authentication questions. The signer should only know the answers to them.
Digital certificates, coupled with a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), secure digital signatures, further verifying your identity.
In certain cases, you might get a phone verification call or SMS code. This can be sent to your pre-registered number.
Audit trails play a vital role, too. Recording the IP address, date, and time of the signature helps affirm identity.
At Lawrina Sign, we rely on technologies and stringent processes to ensure the signature and signer’s authenticity. But remember, always revisit your chosen eSignature service’s specific identity verification measures.
Can eSign replace a notary signature?
eSignatures can sometimes replace notary signatures. But, it hinges on the document type and the legal specifics of the jurisdiction. eSignatures are gaining popularity in legal, business, and personal settings due to their convenience.
That said, certain documents require a third-party verification of the signer’s identity or understanding. Notary publics often perform this task.
For documents like deeds, wills, trusts, or power of attorney, a simple electronic signature might not work.
Interestingly, some US states are embracing Remote Online Notarization (RON) laws, endorsing notarizations via video and audio communications online.
However, always seek legal counsel or check your local laws for guidance on using electronic signatures and notarizations.
Are there any limitations or restrictions to using eSign?
Of course, there can be restrictions or limitations with eSignatures. These often hinge on the document type and jurisdiction. Here’s a simplified look:
Document types: Legal documents like wills, codicils, divorce decrees, or court orders often need a traditional ‘wet’ signature. Thus, eSignatures might not hold up.
Jurisdiction and legislation: In the US, eSignatures are generally accepted under federal laws like the ESIGN Act and UETA. However, states like New York and Illinois have unique laws that alter the acceptance criteria.
Identity verification: Traditional in-person identification might be preferable for signing crucial legal documents like mortgage deeds. However, advanced eSignature platforms like Lawrina Sign, which has robust identity verification, can also handle this.
Technical limitations: Consider people in regions with weak internet access. They might face eSignature constraints due to the requisite stable connection and digital device.
Notary or witness signatures: Take property deeds, requiring not only buyer and seller signatures but also a notary’s.
Remember, eSignatures have many benefits but aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution.
Conclusion
Undeniably, time-tested ‘wet’ signatures still have their spot in certain key documents, and sometimes, face-to-face identification is more apt. However, the growth of eSignatures points towards our shift to secure, efficient digital signing.
Lawrina Sign, along with Lawrina Templates, is a trusted choice for eSigning and document creation. Here, crafting, signing, and editing documents is simple. On top of that, you can have your documents within reach thanks to the Lawrina app. Questions? Just show the document to a lawyer from Lawrina Match.
For users from all walks of life, Lawrina offers dependability and ease of use. It’s a win-win for businesses and individuals alike. Give it a try!
Article by Yevheniia Savchenko
Yevheniia Savchenko was a Product Content Manager at Lawrina. Yevheniia creates user interface copies for Lawrina products, writes release notes, and helps customers get the best user experience from all Lawrina products. Also, Yevheniia is in charge of creating helpful content on legal template pages (Lawrina Templates) and up-to-date information on US law (Lawrina Guides). In her spare time, Yevheniia takes up swimming, travels, and goes for a walk in her home city.