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eSignature legality

Are e-signatures legal where you are?

In most countries, electronic signatures are recognised for a wide range of everyday agreements — but every country has its own law, and its own exceptions. Find yours below.

Around the world

Find your country

The main law in each place, whether simple e-signatures — like the ones made with Signkoi — are generally valid, and the notable exceptions.

17 jurisdictions

  • Australia

    Asia-Pacific

    Generally valid
    Governing law

    Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (Cth)

    Corporations Act 2001, s 127

    In short
    The Electronic Transactions Act 1999 and matching state and territory laws recognise electronic signatures that identify the signer and show their intent. Since 2022, section 127 of the Corporations Act lets companies sign documents, including deeds, electronically.
    Notable exceptions
    Wills, many powers of attorney and documents that need a witness vary by state; land transfers usually go through an approved e-conveyancing platform rather than a general e-signature.

    Simple e-signatures are recognised for most everyday agreements.

  • Brazil

    Americas

    Generally valid
    Governing law

    Medida Provisória 2.200-2/2001

    Lei 14.063/2020

    In short
    MP 2.200-2/2001 presumes signatures made with an ICP-Brasil certificate to be authentic, and accepts other electronic methods when the parties agree to them. Law 14.063/2020 sets simple, advanced and qualified levels for dealings with public bodies.
    Notable exceptions
    Acts that require a public deed (escritura pública), such as most real-estate transfers, and some registry and public-sector filings that require an advanced or qualified (ICP-Brasil) signature.

    Simple e-signatures are recognised for most everyday agreements.

  • Canada

    Americas

    Generally valid
    Governing law

    PIPEDA, Part 2

    Provincial & territorial Electronic Commerce Acts

    In short
    PIPEDA Part 2 covers federal matters, and each province and territory has its own electronic commerce act (Quebec has its own IT framework law). Together they recognise electronic signatures for most commercial agreements.
    Notable exceptions
    Wills and codicils (a few provinces now allow electronic wills), powers of attorney, documents of title, negotiable instruments and some land-transfer documents, depending on the province.

    Simple e-signatures are recognised for most everyday agreements.

  • China

    Asia-Pacific

    Generally valid
    Governing law

    Electronic Signature Law of the PRC (2004, amended 2015 & 2019)

    In short
    A “reliable” electronic signature has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature or seal, as long as the parties have agreed to use electronic signatures. Electronic company seals are widely used.
    Notable exceptions
    Documents about personal relationships such as marriage, adoption and inheritance, and the termination of public utility services such as water, heating, gas and electricity.

    Simple e-signatures are recognised for most everyday agreements.

  • European Union

    Europe

    Generally valid
    Governing law

    eIDAS — Regulation (EU) No 910/2014, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2024/1183

    In short
    eIDAS defines simple (SES), advanced (AdES) and qualified (QES) electronic signatures. No electronic signature can be refused legal effect or as evidence just because it’s electronic, but only a QES automatically equals a handwritten signature in every member state.
    Notable exceptions
    National law decides which documents need a set form. Real-estate transfers, wills, family-law matters and notarial deeds usually still need paper or a notary, and contracts that legally require “written form” (for example in Germany) may need a QES.

    Simple e-signatures are recognised for most everyday agreements.

  • India

    Asia-Pacific

    Generally valid
    Governing law

    Information Technology Act, 2000

    In short
    The IT Act gives full statutory recognition to electronic signatures made with methods listed in its Second Schedule, such as Aadhaar eSign or a digital signature certificate. Contracts formed electronically are valid, and simpler methods can still evidence a contract, without the Act’s presumptions.
    Notable exceptions
    The First Schedule excludes negotiable instruments (other than cheques), powers of attorney, trusts, wills and other testamentary dispositions, and contracts for the sale or conveyance of immovable property. Stamp duty rules still apply.

    Simple e-signatures are recognised for most everyday agreements.

  • Japan

    Asia-Pacific

    Generally valid
    Governing law

    Act on Electronic Signatures and Certification Business (Act No. 102 of 2000)

    In short
    Most contracts in Japan need no particular form. The Act on Electronic Signatures presumes an electronic record is authentic when it carries the person’s own qualifying electronic signature, and the government has confirmed that cloud-based signing services can meet that test.
    Notable exceptions
    Documents that must be made as a notarial deed (such as certain fixed-term land leases and voluntary guardianship contracts) and a shrinking list of documents that specific laws still require on paper.

    Simple e-signatures are recognised for most everyday agreements.

  • Mexico

    Americas

    Generally valid
    Governing law

    Código de Comercio (Commercial Code)

    Ley de Firma Electrónica Avanzada (2012)

    In short
    The Commercial Code and the Federal Civil Code accept consent given electronically, and the Advanced Electronic Signature Law governs the FIEL used with public authorities. Simple e-signatures are widely used for commercial agreements, backed by good evidence.
    Notable exceptions
    Acts that must be formalised before a notary public, such as real-estate transfers and certain corporate acts, and some filings with authorities that require an advanced electronic signature (e.firma).

    Simple e-signatures are recognised for most everyday agreements.

  • Nepal

    Asia-Pacific

    Valid with conditions
    Governing law

    Electronic Transactions Act, 2063 (2008)

    In short
    The Electronic Transactions Act 2063 (2008) gives digital signatures backed by a certificate from a licensed Certifying Authority the same legal standing as handwritten ones. Simple e-signatures may still serve as evidence of an agreement, but their weight is less certain.
    Notable exceptions
    Documents that must be registered, such as land transfers, and documents that need a notary, witnesses or a government office usually still require paper.

    Simple e-signatures work in some situations, but the law favours certificate-based or qualified signatures.

  • New Zealand

    Asia-Pacific

    Generally valid
    Governing law

    Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017, Part 4

    In short
    Part 4 of the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017 says an electronic signature meets a legal signature requirement if it adequately identifies the signer, shows their approval and is as reliable as appropriate for the purpose.
    Notable exceptions
    Wills and codicils, enduring powers of attorney, affidavits and statutory declarations, and certain notices that must be given on paper.

    Simple e-signatures are recognised for most everyday agreements.

  • Russia

    Europe

    Valid with conditions
    Governing law

    Federal Law No. 63-FZ “On Electronic Signature” (2011)

    In short
    Federal Law 63-FZ sets three types: simple, unqualified enhanced and qualified enhanced electronic signatures. A qualified signature equals a handwritten one; simple and unqualified signatures count when the law or an agreement between the parties allows it.
    Notable exceptions
    Transactions that must be notarised, many filings with state bodies and real-estate registration, which usually require a qualified signature, and some employment documents with their own rules.

    Simple e-signatures work in some situations, but the law favours certificate-based or qualified signatures.

  • Singapore

    Asia-Pacific

    Generally valid
    Governing law

    Electronic Transactions Act 2010

    In short
    The Electronic Transactions Act recognises electronic signatures and records for most transactions, and gives extra presumptions to “secure” electronic signatures. Since 2021 it also covers electronic transferable records such as bills of lading.
    Notable exceptions
    Wills and testamentary dispositions, trusts, powers of attorney, and contracts for the sale, disposition or conveyance of immovable property.

    Simple e-signatures are recognised for most everyday agreements.

  • South Africa

    Middle East & Africa

    Generally valid
    Governing law

    Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 (ECTA)

    In short
    ECTA recognises electronic signatures where the parties agree to use them. Where a law itself requires a signature and doesn’t say which type, an advanced electronic signature from an accredited provider is needed.
    Notable exceptions
    Agreements for the sale of land, long-term leases of land (over 20 years), wills and codicils, and bills of exchange.

    Simple e-signatures are recognised for most everyday agreements.

  • Switzerland

    Europe

    Generally valid
    Governing law

    ZertES (Federal Act on Electronic Signatures)

    Code of Obligations, art. 14 para. 2bis

    In short
    Most Swiss contracts need no particular form, so a simple e-signature can be used and weighed as evidence. Where the law requires written form, only a qualified electronic signature (with a qualified time stamp) under ZertES equals a handwritten one.
    Notable exceptions
    Contracts with a statutory written-form requirement need a QES; real-estate transactions and other acts requiring a public deed need a notary; wills need handwriting or a notary.

    Simple e-signatures are recognised for most everyday agreements.

  • United Arab Emirates

    Middle East & Africa

    Generally valid
    Governing law

    Federal Decree-Law No. 46 of 2021 on Electronic Transactions and Trust Services

    In short
    Federal Decree-Law No. 46 of 2021 recognises electronic signatures and records, with qualified electronic signatures carrying the same weight as handwritten ones. Free zones such as the DIFC and ADGM have their own rules.
    Notable exceptions
    Personal-status matters such as marriage, divorce and wills, real-estate title transactions, and documents that must be notarised.

    Simple e-signatures are recognised for most everyday agreements.

  • United Kingdom

    Europe

    Generally valid
    Governing law

    Electronic Communications Act 2000

    UK eIDAS Regulations

    In short
    Electronic signatures are admissible as evidence, and the Law Commission confirmed in 2019 that they can generally meet a legal requirement for a signature when the signer intends to authenticate the document. The UK kept eIDAS in its own law after leaving the EU.
    Notable exceptions
    Wills still need wet ink and witnesses. Deeds that must be witnessed generally need the witness physically present, and registered land transactions follow HM Land Registry’s own rules.

    Simple e-signatures are recognised for most everyday agreements.

  • United States

    Americas

    Generally valid
    Governing law

    ESIGN Act (2000)

    Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA)

    In short
    Under the federal ESIGN Act and the state-level UETA (adopted almost everywhere; New York has its own comparable law), a signature or contract can’t be denied legal effect just because it’s electronic. Consumer transactions may need extra disclosures and consent first.
    Notable exceptions
    Wills, codicils and testamentary trusts; adoption, divorce and other family-law matters; court orders and official court documents; notices of utility shut-off, foreclosure, eviction or cancellation of health or life insurance; product-recall notices.

    Simple e-signatures are recognised for most everyday agreements.

Not listed? Most countries have an electronic transactions law, and many are based on the UNCITRAL Model Laws on Electronic Commerce and Electronic Signatures. The details differ, so check the rules that apply to you.

Last reviewed: November 2026

The basics

What is an electronic signature?

Broadly, an electronic signature is any electronic sound, symbol or process that a person attaches to a record, or associates with it, with the intention of signing it. A typed name, a signature drawn on a touchscreen and a click on “I agree” can all qualify, depending on context.

What courts and regulators commonly look for

  • Intent to sign

    The signer meant to sign. They took a deliberate action, such as drawing or typing their name and confirming it.

  • Consent to do it electronically

    The people involved agreed to deal electronically. Some consumer transactions need extra disclosures before that consent counts.

  • Association with the record

    The signature is clearly connected to the specific document that was signed.

  • Attribution and retention

    You can show who signed and when, and keep an accurate copy that can be reproduced later.

Know the levels

Where Signkoi fits

Many laws, including the EU’s eIDAS, sort electronic signatures into three tiers. Signing with Signkoi is a simple electronic signature.

How Signkoi signs

Simple (SES)

Data in electronic form that the signer uses to sign. This includes a typed or drawn signature submitted through a secure link. It is the most common type for everyday agreements, and its weight as evidence depends on the surrounding facts and records.

Advanced (AdES)

Uniquely linked to and able to identify the signer, created with data under the signer’s sole control, and linked to the document so that any later change can be detected. This usually involves certificate-based cryptography.

Qualified (QES)

An advanced signature created with a qualified signature device and backed by a qualified certificate from a trust service provider. In the EU it has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature.

Signkoi doesn’t offer advanced or qualified signatures based on a personal certificate. You can ask signers to confirm an access code or a one-time code sent by email or SMS, and every completed PDF is sealed so later changes can be detected. If a document needs a higher level of assurance, use a provider and process designed for that level.

Exceptions

Documents that usually still need wet ink or a qualified signature

Almost every country carves out some documents. The list varies, but these are the usual suspects:

  • Wills, codicils and testamentary trusts
  • Some real-estate deeds, transfers and long leases
  • Documents that must be notarised or witnessed in person
  • Court filings, court orders and official notices
  • Family-law matters such as marriage, divorce or adoption
  • Powers of attorney, especially lasting or enduring ones
  • Certain negotiable instruments, such as bills of exchange
  • Contracts where the law requires “written form” and accepts only a qualified electronic signature instead

Some places now allow remote or electronic notarisation and electronic land registration for some of these. Others don’t. Always check local requirements.

Good practice for everyday signing

  • Send the document through a channel you trust, to the person who should sign.
  • Make the document complete and final before you send it, because fields lock once it’s signed.
  • For important documents, ask signers to confirm an access code or a one-time code.
  • Download the signed PDF and certificate of completion, and keep them with your records.
  • For high-value or regulated agreements, get legal advice on the right signing method.

Evidence

What Signkoi records for you

If a signature is ever questioned, records help show intent, consent and who signed. Here is what you get with every signed document.

A deliberate signing action

Each signer draws, types or uploads a signature and ticks a box agreeing to sign electronically before the signature is accepted.

A sealed PDF

Signatures and completed fields are embedded exactly where you placed them, and the finished PDF is digitally sealed so any later change is detectable.

A timestamped audit trail

Events such as sending, opening, signing and downloading, each with a time, IP address and browser user agent — summarised in a certificate of completion.

Anyone can verify it

Anyone holding the PDF can check on our verification page that it’s authentic and unchanged since it was signed.

Verify a documentHow we protect signing linksQuestions? Contact us