Fast and secure digital signatures anywhere

A digital signature is an electronic, encrypted, and authenticated “fingerprint” backed by a digital certificate that confirms your identity. This modern upgrade from the pen-and-paper method enables users to sign documents in digital format faster and more conveniently.

You can create a digital signature by using our eSignature solution. With Formstack Sign, people can sign documents via computer, tablet, or mobile phone. To create a digital signature, simply upload or access the intended document, provide your signature where appropriate, and click send.

Yes, digital signatures are legally binding across the United States and many countries worldwide. To meet legal standards, an electronic signature should include the following: 

• A digital certificate and audit trail that can be traced back to the initial signer
• Authentication techniques that can properly verify the identity of the signer

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When you submit an eSignature, a mathematical algorithm generates a distinct digital fingerprint—also known as a hash—that is unique to the specific document. The hash then gets encrypted via your private key, which is used to encrypt and decrypt protected information. Your digital signature will also be assigned a public key, which is publicly visible. The encrypted hash and your public key merge to become your digital signature.

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Digital signatures are verified when a document is opened in a designated program that uses your public key to decrypt the encoded hash. If the decrypted information matches the signature at the time of signing, then it is validated.

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No, every digital signature is unique to the particular document it is used with. This means you cannot copy and paste a signature from one document to another. Just as each handwritten signature is unique, so are digital signatures.

Although they are similar, a digital signature is a more secure version of an electronic signature. Digital signatures are tamper-evident, meaning you can easily identify any changes to the original document or signature. An electronic signature is simply a digitized version of your signature, often validated with personal identifying information, such as email, address, phone number, etc.

Yes, a notary can notarize a digital signature in the signer's presence after a document is printed. Additionally, 29 states have passed legislation allowing for electronic notarization, which enables notaries to certify documents remotely.

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