There are several answers to the question, “How to make an electronic signature?” and we will discuss the best methods to try today.

writing it manually and scanning it, creating a copy with Word, or using various online tools

. Having an electronic signature can be necessary, especially in today’s digital world, where signing documents digitally is common.

Aside from necessity, there are other advantages to knowing how to make an electronic signature, such as convenience and efficiency. So, in today’s article, we’ll explain the four methods you can use for creating electronic signatures and answer some common questions you may have.

digital representation of a handwritten signature

, used to sign PDFs, contracts, and other documents online.

, as digital signatures are encrypted and offer authentication, while electronic signatures are generally a copy of a physical signature.

 using Word, scanning a handwritten signature, online tools like pdf.net, or graphic editors such as Canva or Paint.

 if proper protocols are followed, such as intent, consent, attribution, and record retention.

 include efficiency, convenience, multi-device compatibility, and enhanced document security.

An electronic signature, or e-signature, is a 

 digitally, including contracts, agreements, and other documents.

That said, the appearance of electronic signatures can vary depending on the method you use to create them. For instance, signing a piece of paper and scanning it will likely create the most accurate copy of your signature compared with an online tool.

While the terms electronic and digital are often used interchangeably to refer to an online signature, there is actually a distinct difference between electronic and digital signatures.

and can be in the form of an image or a scan. Because of this, it can sometimes be difficult to authenticate e-signatures since anyone can upload someone else’s signature. 

However, electronic signatures are also very easy to add; practically any text and PDF editor gives you the option to include your signature. That makes it convenient to use, despite the potential security risks.

, ensuring their authenticity. When they are applied, only the signer and the receiver can view the document, and it loses its validity if any changes are recorded after signing.

As a result, digital signatures are considered highly secure and reliable, but they require 

How to Make an Electronic Signature: 4 Key Methods Compared

From scanning your physical signature to using different tools, there are 

several ways to make an electronic signature

Here’s a quick overview of the most commonly used methods:

Now, let’s discuss the step-by-step process for each one:

Making an electronic signature using Word

the most convenient methods on this list 

since you can also use the tool to sign the document directly.

Here’s how to make an electronic signature in the browser version of Word:

First, you need to run the program and click on the 

you want to use and start creating your signature. This step may be easier using a drawing pad, but if you don’t have one, a mouse would work as well.

. This will save your electronic signature as an image and allow you to 

After making an electronic signature, you can open your file in 

 and attach your signature to the document.

If you want to create an e-signature for free, you can simply 

write on or sign a piece of paper and scan it 

using your phone. This method for making an electronic signature also yields a near-perfect copy of your physical signature since you are scanning it directly.

However, this method is not as secure as the others on this list because if the scanned image gets leaked, then anyone can use your signature to sign documents. 

Scanned signatures are also not ideal when signing PDFs

 since these are in an image format and not a digital signature format.

best way to make an electronic signature online is 

to use a dedicated e-signature maker like pdf.net. As an online PDF e-signature tool, pdf.net allows you to create e-signatures, 

 from others, and sign documents digitally without downloading any additional software.

upload your file on our tool and select one of these three options

. With this method, you can type out your name or initials and choose a signature style from the options provided.


Type out your name or initials and choose a signature style from the options provided

. By drawing your electronic signature, you can accurately replicate your physical signature.


By drawing your electronic signature, you can accurately replicate your physical signature.

. If you have already made an electronic signature by scanning it or using Word, you can simply upload the image to add it to your document.


Upload the image to add it to your document

resize your signature, change its opacity, and adjust its placement 

on the document before downloading your file. Using pdf.net is a guaranteed way to create secure PDF signatures since our tool is protected by the latest HTTPS encryption, so you won’t have to worry about any data breaches.

Aside from a PDF signature tool, you can also use a 

drawing tool and select the pen and ink color 

you prefer. While you can choose any color, since electronic signatures are often used in professional documents, it’s best to select black.

When you’re satisfied with how it looks, 

One of the advantages of using this method is that you can closely replicate your physical signature depending on the tool that you use. However, keep in mind that since you are creating an image of your signature, it’s important to keep it secure to avoid any unauthorized copies.

How to Make an Electronic Signature on Your Phone

If you want to sign your documents instantly, no matter where you are, 

you should make an electronic signature on your mobile

, too. The process is very simple and, in many cases, no different than the methods used on a desktop.

For instance, pdf.net signing tool and many of the graphic editors mentioned above work on a smartphone just as well as they do on a computer. That makes it easy to create a signature or sign a document directly within seconds.

, to open and sign the document. On Android, this can be done in a PDF reader, such as Adobe Acrobat, or whichever other option is available.

Are Electronic Signatures Legally Binding?

Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act

(ESIGN Act). This means that any online file bearing your electronic signature will be treated the same as a document that you physically signed.

However, to be legally binding, the e-signature process must have the following:

So, if you want to sign a PDF legally with an e-signature, it’s crucial to follow these regulations; otherwise, the document may not hold up in court.

3 Key Benefits of Using Electronic Signatures

Now that you know how to make an electronic signature, you may be wondering what 

Signing documents with electronic signatures is 

significantly more efficient than doing so physically, 

since you won’t have to print them out, mail them to the signer, and then wait for them to be received.

When you use an electronic signature, you can send an email and have the signed document back within minutes. This is especially useful for businesses that often deal with documents that require signatures, like contracts or invoices.

, which is highly convenient for remote workers or global teams. Since you don’t need to physically have the document to sign it, you have the flexibility to approve international business transactions and agreements even on the go.

Using an electronic signature to sign documents means that 

only you and the sender will see the content of the file

, which means you can be assured of the security of the transaction. Moreover, electronic signatures are much more difficult to forge and tamper with than physical ones.

Create, customize, and add your signature to any document.

Sign PDFs Securely Online

It’s safe to use electronic signatures 

as long as you use secure e-signature software 

for business and other private documents. pdf.net, for instance, has the necessary security measures in place to keep your document protected while using our tool.

That said, while electronic signatures are safe, it’s essential to be wary of the documents you sign as well as the program you use to do so. It’s best to avoid suspicious platforms and to verify the source of the document before signing it to ensure that your electronic signature isn’t leaked.

3 Common Issues When Making Electronic Signatures and How to Fix Them

Common issues when making electronic signatures include the following:

. If your electronic signature turns out blurry, you could increase image resolution, change the 

 in settings (ideally to 72 or 96), and adjust scaling to 100%. You can also use online tools to refine the edges and sharpen the image.

. When you scan your signature using your phone, the white background you’ve written on will be visible. This problem is pretty easy to fix, though; use a photo editor like Canva to remove the background and keep only the signature. Then, make sure to save the file in 

, as it handles transparency much better than JPEG.

Issues with adding the signature to the document

. Difficulties with adding your signature may arise from many reasons; for instance, your 

 may be outdated, or the document may have some restrictions. That’s why it’s important to always check your program version and permissions, as well as to use the correct tools for signing.

When you need to e-sign a document or make an electronic signature to use for future purposes, turn to pdf.net. As a complete 

effortlessly create signatures online and add them to documents 

In addition to security and convenience, here are the other advantages of using our online PDF tool to create an electronic signature:

. Unlike other tools like Word or Paint, you don’t have to install any software to use pdf.net; simply upload your file, make an electronic signature, and add it to your document.

. pdf.net supports multiple file formats, including PDF, DOC, and DOCX, so you can make an electronic signature and use it to sign any document without having to worry about 

. As an online PDF editor, pdf.net can be used on virtually any device and web browser as long as you have a stable internet connection.

#1. How do I make an electronic copy of my signature?

To make an electronic copy of your signature, you can 

sign a piece of paper and scan it or use an online signature tool

. Then, you can upload the signature to a PDF tool that will allow you to sign documents digitally.

#2. What types of documents can I sign with an electronic signature?

sign all types of documents with an electronic signature

. This includes personal and professional documents, contracts, and other online agreements. However, there are some states in the U.S. that may require a physical signature on certain documents, such as wills and trusts, real estate agreements, and marriage or birth certificates.

How to Make an Electronic Signature: 4 Easy Methods Explained

Is electronic signature legal? The answer is—yes, it is; these signatures carry the same weight as traditional signatures.

To those wondering, “Is electronic signature legal?” the answer is yes—electronic signatures 

If you wish to know more about the legality of e-signatures and how to use them—we are here to help! In this article, we discuss key aspects like the e-signature concept, types, usage, regulation, and their benefits.

and hold the same weight as handwritten ones when they meet requirements

 like intent, consent, verification, and record-keeping.

: simple (SES), advanced (AES), and qualified (QES). Each type offers different levels of security and verification.

 in industries such as sales, healthcare, and government, and they are 

 under acts like ESIGN and UETA in the U.S.

, including the UK’s Electronic Communications Act, the EU’s eIDAS Regulation, and Australia’s ETA, establish the legality of e-signatures worldwide.

speed, cost-efficiency, and strong security

, especially when created with reliable tools like pdf.net.

Electronic signatures are symbols, letters, or other data in electronic format attached to an online document as proof of 

. Its importance is equal to an offline signature.

E-signatures are used to sign documents remotely via a 

. Businesses often use them to create court-admissible signatures, which secure electronic transactions and enhance customer experience.

There are three major types of electronic signatures:

: It is the most widespread type of e-signature, which implies electronic information (letters or other symbols) attached to a transmittable digital document. This signature variant does not require verification; the documents that contain it have no high integrity levels.


: This type of electronic signature is made the same way as SES. The key difference is that AES’ security levels are higher. For example, you can create an AES and use a delivery service with 

: Lastly, these encrypted e-signatures have the 

, as they use the public key technology. This means that only the sender and the receiver can see the signed document. On top of that, QES also requires a face-to-face video call or live verification. For example, universities can issue student transcripts with QES to prevent transcript fraud or forgery by 

Electronic signature technologies, such as digital signatures, make e-signatures impregnable. While the 

digital signature vs. electronic signature

 comparison may cause confusion, the key difference is that the former protects an e-signature, whereas the latter is data in digital form attached to other data in the same form.

and carry the same weight as traditional signatures.

Generally, when examining if an electronic signature is legal, one needs to analyze several factors, including intent to sign, consent, verification, and record-keeping.

of a person to make a document official by putting their signature on it. This also implies that the signer understands their actions and agrees with the terms under which the document was made.

In contrast to offline signatures, where the signer’s intent is visible, e-signatures must have 

 of the intent. Some ways to prove it include using screenshots or making changes to the document before signing.

 before it can be valid. This applies to every electronic document. If an individual has given consent to sign a document in the past and never retracted it, the consent can still be active later on.

For instance, individuals signing documents in the US must get a 

, which they can use to give consent. Needless to say, a consent withdrawal will render an e-signature invalid.

Another factor essential for legally binding signatures is electronic signature authentication. The verification method can differ depending on the signature type; the simplest procedure is for the signer to 

For more robust authentication, the signer may need to use a PIN code received by SMS or upload an official ID. Verification via video call or in person is also standard.

Successful record-keeping is the last element to solve the dilemma when wondering whether an electronic signature is legal. Primarily, the signed document must have 

; in other words, there must be evidence that no document changes have occurred.

This is why electronic signatures have text or graphic components confirming that the signing process is digital. An alternative way to prove integrity is for document creators to explain how they made and attached the signature.

 for every contracting party. Document retention refers to storing documents where all authorized individuals can access them. Only after all these safety measures have been applied is an electronic signature legal.

As previously mentioned, an electronic signature is legal whenever it meets the criteria mentioned in the previous section. However, this type is mostly used in specific industries, such as sales, contracts, healthcare, government forms, and similar.

Firstly, the most common example of e-signatures is in sales contracts. If buyers and sellers cannot sign a contract in person, they can do so legally 

. This process includes verification of both buyer and seller. The same goes for other aspects like intent, consent, etc.

E-signatures in sales agreements can speed up and improve the efficiency of this process. This is useful for buyers and sellers hurrying to obtain funds or legally take possession of property or assets.

Dealing with sensitive and confidential patient and research information is a typical occurrence in the healthcare industry. Researchers, doctors, patients, and others may share such data for various purposes; in such cases, electronic signatures keep all the details secure.

For instance, e-signatures in hospital settings are essential for sharing medical records, such as a patient’s medical history. The same applies to medical billings, procedure approvals, and prescriptions.

The government uses high-protection electronic signatures for documents regardless of their level (federal, state, or local). They ensure security by issuing 

The transport industry also uses e-signatures for shipping documents, as physical documents may be lost or difficult to keep neat during transportation. On the other hand, 

 electronic documents are practical for both shippers and recipients.

Upload your file, place your signature, and download—no software installation needed.

Sign Any Document Online in Minutes

Do Electronic Signatures Hold Up in Court?

Electronic signatures hold up in court, as they are equally legally binding as physical ones and regulated by online document signing laws.

The main regulatory act for making e-signatures admissible in court is the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, or the 

. It affirms that electronic signatures are as impactful in court as physical paper signatures. Another official act issued in 1999, the above-mentioned UETA, evens the effect of e-signatures with traditional signatures.

If an e-signature meets the set criteria (intention, consent, verification, and integrity), court representatives can prove its validity more easily than they would do for traditional signatures. Instead of hiring handwriting experts and presenting copies of previous signatures, executives can use 

Audit trails provide data collected during the signing process and serve as substantial proof of e-signature authenticity. Automating this process removes the possibility of human error and 

 regarding document receipt, opening, viewing, time, location, and IP address.

We know it’s legal in many areas, but is electronic signature legal worldwide? The answer is yes—

. Still, the regulation of e-signature varies from one region to another, but the US, UK, Europe, and Australia have the most impactful regulations.

Let’s have a look at the acts and directives for each region.

The ESIGN Act and UETA directly regulate electronic signatures in the US, and passing these two acts gives e-signatures the 

Still, there are certain cases in which only a wet (or traditional) signature is valid. These include:

“Do not resuscitate” and health proxies in healthcare documents

These examples may vary from state to state, so it's important to check which documents the e-signature is valid for in each area.

 passed in 2000 changed the status of e-signatures from non-valid to valid in the UK. In 2002, the 

 completely systematized e-signatures within the UK law jurisdiction.

Even though they are fully regulated, electronic signatures in this area do not carry the same weight as wet signatures on every occasion. To have the same impact as traditional ones, e-signatures must either be 

 was the first electronic signature regulatory act in the EU. Shortly after, Regulation (EU) No 910/2014, or the 

, codified simple, advanced, and qualified e-signatures.

First, simple electronic signatures encompass every electronic signature that transmits digital data for authentication purposes. Such an e-signature is valid in 

Advanced and qualified signatures are valid for consumer credits and loans, court briefs, and commercial lease agreements. While these are the general rules, each EU state has its e-signature directives.

 of 2000 rank electronic signatures alongside wet signatures in Australia. The ETA proposes a specific set of rules (e.g., intention, consent, etc.) for legally binding e-signatures globally. On the local level, most administrative units have their own ETAs.

Finally, e-signatures are almost universal. For instance, most South American, Middle Eastern, and Asian countries 

3 Benefits of Using Electronic Signatures

Not only is an electronic signature legal, but it also brings benefits such as speed and efficiency, environmental friendliness, and security.

Signing a document electronically may only take several minutes. The entire signing process, except for the signing act, 

, which speeds up the procedure. The faster this process goes, the more your workflow can become more efficient.

—everything is in one place. Therefore, all parties can sign, use, and manage the documents, even on a multidepartmental level.

#2. Environmental Friendliness & Cost Reduction

Using electronic signatures can reduce paper consumption, which directly and positively impacts the environment. It also reduces the costs of buying paper and printing documents. Unlike traditional paperwork, which implies transportation, e-signatures are both

Electronic signatures boast high safety levels, sometimes even higher than traditional signature levels.

Advanced electronic signatures involve multiple measures like 

, which confirm time, location, document reception, opening, and viewing.

 that only the sender and the receiver have and can use to unlock and view the signed document.

PDF tools can help with e-signatures by allowing you to load your document quickly, use a specialized feature to add your signature to it, adjust signature font style, color, size, and opacity, and upload your signature image to a document from your device.

A valid signature is essential for purchasing, selling, or performing similar actions. However, finding reliable software that will help you sign your documents electronically can sometimes be challenging. But worry not; our 

 tools can help you streamline this process seamlessly.

 makes it easy to create electronic signatures, and the software also offers valuable options for transferring digital information to other data in electronic format. Therefore, you can sign files and tweak your document using the 

Most importantly, the whole set of tools is 

—online protection and privacy are guaranteed.

#1. How can I prove the validity of an electronic signature?

You can prove the validity of an electronic signature by checking the signer’s intent and consent, verifying their identity, and using audit trails and public keys, which reliable software can provide.

#2. What should I look for in a legal e-signature tool?

In a legal e-signature tool, you should look for authentic and original signatures, tamper-proof ability, compliance and security of the platform, a transparent audit trail, mobile friendliness, etc.

#3. How do I make my electronic signature legal?

You can make your electronic signature legal by expressing your intent and consent, verifying your identity, securing the document, making copies, and keeping documents ready for check-ups.

#4. Can electronic signatures be tampered with?

Electronic signatures can be tampered with. However, this is mostly the case with e-signatures made with poor-quality tools from untrusted sources. To avoid such scenarios, you can use pdf.net for signing your documents, as it boasts high-security levels and keeps your documents private.

E-Signature

How to Make an Electronic Signature: 4 Easy Methods Explained

Is Electronic Signature Legal: How to Ensure Compliance

What Is a Wet Signature? Meaning, Importance, and Use Cases