Are Electronic Signatures Legally Binding?

The short answer

Under the US ESIGN Act (2000) and UETA, and the EU's eIDAS regulation, an electronic signature carries the same legal weight as a handwritten one for most contracts. Courts routinely enforce them. The same is true in the UK, Canada, Australia, and many other countries.

What matters legally is intent (the signer meant to sign), consent (both parties agreed to sign electronically), attribution (the signature can be tied to the signer), and a record that can't be silently altered afterward.

The three levels of electronic signature

• Simple Electronic Signature (SES): drawing or typing your signature, tied to the document with a record of when and from where it was signed. Valid for most business and personal agreements — NDAs, quotes, consent forms, internal approvals, most service contracts.
• Advanced Electronic Signature (AES): uniquely linked to the signer with tamper-detection, usually via a digital certificate. Used where higher assurance is wanted.
• Qualified Electronic Signature (QES): AES backed by a qualified certificate from a trust provider; legally equivalent to a handwritten signature across the EU with the strongest standing.

When a simple e-signature is enough

For the overwhelming majority of documents people sign — agreements, approvals, forms, letters of intent — a simple electronic signature is legally sufficient and widely accepted. FileBee's Request Signatures produces a simple electronic signature and attaches a certificate page recording each signer, the time they signed, a hash of their IP, and a SHA-256 fingerprint of the document so any later change is detectable.

When you may need more (or wet ink)

Some documents are excluded or need a higher level: wills and codicils, certain family-law documents, some property transfers and deeds, court filings, and specific notarized instruments. Rules vary by country and state. If a document is high-stakes or legally sensitive, confirm the requirement for your jurisdiction — or use a qualified signature or in-person execution.

Frequently asked questions

Is a typed or drawn signature legally binding?

Yes, in most cases. A typed or drawn signature made with intent to sign, on a document both parties agreed to sign electronically, is a valid simple electronic signature under ESIGN and eIDAS.

Does the signer need an account?

No. With FileBee, signers open a private link from their email and sign — no account, no app, no signup.

Can an e-signed document be challenged?

Like any contract it can be disputed, but the audit certificate (signer identity via email, timestamps, IP hash, and a document hash) provides strong evidence of who signed and that the document wasn't altered.