Federal law recognizing electronic signatures in commerce
UETA
Uniform Electronic Transactions Act adopted by 49 states
Audit Trail
Every signed document includes verifiable signer information
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an electronic signature legally binding?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally binding in the United States under the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN Act, 2000) and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA). They carry the same legal weight as handwritten signatures for most documents.
How does the e-signature process work on Forms Legal?
1) Fill out your document using our guided form. 2) Click "Sign Document Electronically" to draw your signature on the canvas. 3) Download the signed PDF or Word document with a full audit trail. 4) Optionally, send a signing link to a second party via QR code or URL.
Is the e-signature feature free?
Yes, our electronic signature feature is completely free. There are no hidden fees, no subscription required, and no limits on the number of documents you can sign.
Can I send documents for someone else to sign?
Yes. After signing a document, you can generate a secure sharing link or QR code. The second party can open this link, review the document, add their signature, and download the fully signed version. The link expires after 7 days for security.
What types of documents can I sign electronically?
You can sign all 426 document templates on Forms Legal electronically, including contracts, agreements, leases, bills of sale, affidavits, power of attorney, NDAs, employment contracts, and more. Note: Some documents like wills and certain real estate deeds may require notarization in addition to signatures.
Does the signed document include an audit trail?
Yes. Every signed document includes an audit trail at the bottom showing: the signer's name, the date and time of signing, and a note that it was electronically signed via forms-legal.com. For two-party documents, both signers' information is recorded.
What file formats are available for signed documents?
Signed documents can be downloaded as PDF or Microsoft Word (DOCX) format. Both formats include the signature image embedded in the document and the audit trail footer.
Is my signature data secure?
Yes. Your signature is drawn locally in your browser and is not stored on our servers unless you use the two-party signing feature. Signing session data is encrypted, stored temporarily (7-day expiration), and automatically deleted after expiration.
Do I need to create an account to use e-signatures?
No. You can use our e-signature feature without creating an account or signing up. Simply fill out your document, sign it, and download. No registration required.
Can I use e-signatures on mobile devices?
Yes. Our signature pad is fully optimized for mobile devices with touch support. You can draw your signature using your finger or a stylus on any smartphone or tablet. The signature is preserved even when scrolling the page.