As completing application forms and legal documents move into an increasingly digital environment, the need to authenticate and authorize paperwork with a signature becomes progressively more important.
The slow and decidedly “un-green” option is to print out documents, sign them, then scan the originals. But why do this when you can create a digital signature for use on any suitable document?
Why You Need an Electronic Signature
An electronic or digital signature is a mark or symbol that is used to agree to a contract or document or to confirm recorded details. It serves the same purpose as a signature scrawled in ink but comes with several advantages.
A digital signature is:
- Fast: there’s no need to print a document to physically sign it and scan the results. The document can be electronically signed and effortlessly shared either via email, a shared network resource, or a cloud drive.
- Cost-effective: despite implementation overheads, digital signatures save on postage and shipping costs for vital, time-sensitive documents. Filing and archiving costs are also reduced.
- Efficient: aside from the speed, a digital signature can streamline workflow, with document management and tracking simplified thanks to digital indexing and computer file search.
- Secure: using an electronic signature reduces the risk of alteration or criminally motivated document doctoring. Digitally signed electronic documents feature a digital seal that highlights any changes that have been made.
- Storage-friendly: while archival costs are reduced, so is the real estate needed to store documents. This can result in budget savings and more effective use of space.
- Fast: most importantly, creating a digital signature is easy.
Several methods are available for creating a digital signature. Let’s take a look at how to create one with CocoSign.
Create an Electronic Signature With CocoSign
CocoSign is a platform that enables and supports the creation of digital signatures and adds them to documents. Let’s look at signing a document in CocoSign in more detail.
To make your own electronic signature for free, head to CocoSign, and click Create a free account.
Upload a Document to Be Signed
In the account dashboard, click Get Started or Sign Yourself, then drag and drop the document to be signed into the Add Documents window. You can also click Upload Document to open your computer’s file browser.
CocoSign supports PDF, DOC, XLS, and JPG files. You can also upload files from Google Drive, One Drive, Box or Dropbox.
Add a Signature to Your Document
With the document uploaded, scroll to the point where the signature is required. You might need to select the correct page in the left pane.
When you’re ready, click and drag the Signature field from the Tools section into the desired position. You now have three choices to create a digital signature:
- Type: simply type your initials and surname, then select a suitable typeface.
- Draw: use a stylus to draw your signature (this isn’t ideal for most laptop touchpads).
- Upload: with this option, simply upload a scan, photo, or other saved image of your signature.
If necessary, add Initials, Date/Time, any useful additional Text (signing notes, for example) and even Email or Attachments to the document. When you’re done, click Next to digitally sign the document.
Congratulations—you just made your own electronic signature!
Are Electronic Signatures Legal?
If a digital signature is created following the specifications of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA), and Electronic Signature in Global and National Commerce Act of 2000 (ESign), then it has the equivalent legality of a signature created using a pen.
The legality of an electronic signature differs based on your region. If you have concerns, check local legislation to confirm the status of digital signatures.
Note, however, that some types of documents cannot be digitally signed. Real estate agreements, adoption papers, court documents, and wills must be signed the old-fashioned way—with a pen. Power of attorney documents also require a physical signature.
Create a Digital Signature and Improve Your Workflow
With your digital signature created and stored on your computer, signing electronic documents becomes instantly faster. But this isn’t the only workflow advantage.
You’ll save on paper and ink, while the need for storing signed paperwork will be reduced as you’ll have a digital copy. Tracking documents becomes easier as you can rely on computer search functions rather than boxes of paper.
Consequently, costs for paper storage and even recycling paper waste will reduce.
Electronic signatures mean a faster turnaround. The recipient simply reads, signs, and returns—there is no printing stage to slow the process. And, perhaps most importantly, security is improved. Digital signatures reduce the risk of alteration, with documents protected from tampering.
As digital signatures are so easy to create, it makes sense to make your own with CocoSign.