1. Legal Validity of Electronic Signatures
Electronic signatures created through Zignt are legally binding and enforceable under various international laws and regulations, including:
- United States: ESIGN Act (Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act)
- European Union: eIDAS Regulation (electronic IDentification, Authentication and trust Services)
- United Kingdom: Electronic Communications Act 2000
2. What Makes an E-Signature Valid?
For an electronic signature to be legally valid, the following criteria must be met:
- Intent to sign: The signer must demonstrate clear intent to sign the document
- Consent to conduct business electronically
- Association with the record: The signature must be associated with the specific document
- Record retention: A copy of the signed document must be retained
- Signer identification: Reasonable methods to identify the signer
3. How Zignt Ensures Validity
Zignt implements the following measures to ensure legal validity:
- Terms of Service Acceptance: Signers must explicitly accept terms before signing
- Unique Signing Links: Each signer receives a unique, one-time-use link
- Signer Information: We collect name and email for identification
- Audit Trail: We record when and by whom documents are signed
- Tamper-Evident: Signed documents cannot be altered without detection
- Secure Storage: All documents are encrypted and securely stored
4. Types of Electronic Signatures
Zignt provides Simple Electronic Signatures (SES), which are appropriate for most business transactions. For transactions requiring advanced or qualified electronic signatures, additional verification methods may be necessary.
5. When E-Signatures May Not Be Appropriate
Electronic signatures may not be suitable for:
- Wills, codicils, and testamentary trusts
- Family law matters (depending on jurisdiction)
- Court orders and official court documents
- Notices of cancellation of utility services
- Documents that require notarization (unless using qualified e-signatures with notary services)
Always verify local regulations for specific document types.
6. Your Rights and Responsibilities
When signing electronically, you have the right to:
- Receive a copy of the signed document
- Withdraw your consent to electronic transactions
- Request paper copies if needed
You are responsible for:
- Reviewing documents carefully before signing
- Maintaining access to your email for document delivery
- Keeping signed documents secure
7. Dispute Resolution
In the event of a dispute regarding an electronic signature, Zignt will provide all available audit trail information, including timestamps, IP addresses, and signer information, to help resolve the matter.
8. Questions and Support
If you have questions about the legal validity of electronic signatures or how Zignt ensures compliance, please contact us at legal@zignt.com