1. E-Signatures are convenient and easy to use
Most people encounter a variety of documents that need signing on a regular basis, whether you're selling a car privately and want the buyer to sign a Bill of Sale, or you're a business owner or landlord needing signatures on contracts or leases. If you are still putting pen to paper, you may be missing out on the convenience of using electronic signatures.
Whether you are using your own documents or planning to sign a document you received, eSigning will still work for you. You can use the digital version you have or scan the hard copy so you can access it on your computer or mobile device.
RocketSign® makes the process even easier once you have uploaded the document to the Rocket Lawyer app. You can add in fields for the signatures and dates, enter the email addresses of the other people who will also be signing the document, and then wait for an email notification that they've signed the document.
2. Electronic signatures are legally binding in the U.S. and many other countries
U.S. federal law recognizes electronic signatures as being valid as long as they comply with certain standards. These are:
- Intent to sign — Just as with traditional signatures, electronic signatures are not legally binding if either party didn't intend to adopt the terms associated with the signature. Basically, one party can't "trick" the other party into signing something they had no intention to sign.
- Consent to electronic transaction — Each party must agree to use electronic signatures and records after receiving specific disclosures about the process (e.g., "By clicking here, you agree to the terms of this document.")
- Association of electronic signature with the agreement or record — Any electronic signature must be directly associated with the record being signed
- Clear attribution — The signature should be clearly attributable to the person who made it.
- Retention of records — All parties to an electronically-signed contract or statement must have access to its records and be able to accurately reproduce the document(s) for reference.
Federal and state laws in the United States do not require the use of any particular technology, nor do comparable laws in Canada, the UK, and Australia. But members of the EU, South Korea, and China have adopted laws that—in addition to defining the types of regulations found in the ESIGN Act—specifically create a list of approved technologies and processes. Fortunately, most of these laws allow private parties to enter into an electronic agreement using the technology and process of their choice.
Some countries are more particular about the technology and methods used for electronic signatures, including Brazil, India, and Israel. In these countries, electronic signatures that do not comply with the mandated technology or process may not be legally binding. If you have questions about your specific situation, it may be a good idea to talk to a lawyer.
3. You can eSign documents on any device from anywhere
If you travel and rely on laptops and devices to help you stay connected to your personal or business affairs while they are in transit or physically away from your home or office, then e-signatures can help you keep the ball rolling if you are in the middle of a transaction. Unlike ink signatures, e-signatures are all about getting the signing done quickly, remotely, and in a mobile-friendly way.
Not only can you eSign documents from anywhere, others can too. RocketSign® works on mobile devices and is easy to use to collect signatures on-site, on-the-go, or anywhere life takes you.
4. You get email notifications when your document is signed
Are you juggling a lot of details, deadlines, and communications in order to run your life or business? Wouldn't it be nice to have a helper robot to help you keep track of the details? When you use RocketSign®, you get email notifications each time a person eSigns your document. No more wondering whether or not someone has signed a contract that you sent out. When you use an electronic signature platform like RocketSign®, you can see and be notified of any actions that take place.
5. Your signed documents are automatically stored in the cloud for easy access
Keeping your electronic documents and contracts organized can sometimes be a challenging task. Fortunately, eSigned documents are conveniently stored in the cloud, or downloaded for printing or offline storage. Rocket Lawyer members can always access their documents completed with RocketSign® through their secure dashboard.
Electronic signatures have been widely adopted as a more convenient and efficient way to sign documents. RocketSign® provides an innovative, end-to-end solution for your online transactions. Declare your independence from the hassle of ink signatures today!
This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Rocket Lawyer is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.
