The answer to the question, “What is a wet signature?” is simpler than you may think—it’s the process of signing a physical document with a pen, seal, or another identification mark or “wet ink,” hence the name.
A wet signature used to be a binding contract, and it still is in some cases. However, with the advancement of technology, electronic signatures have become more and more accepted as a faster and more secure alternative.
In this article, we’ll discuss the use of wet signatures, drawing a parallel between them and e-signs and digital signatures. We’ll also explain how the concept of a wet signature is applied online. Let’s begin!
What Is a Wet Signature, and How to Obtain It?
A wet signature represents a handwritten signature on a physical piece of paper, be it an agreement, contract, or proposal (a wet-signed document). It goes under various names, including the following:
- Wet ink signature
- Handwritten signature
- Physical signature
- Wet sign
- Pen and ink signature
- Manual (manually written) signature
The term “wet” dates back to when ink was used for such purposes more commonly—namely, it took some time for it to dry on paper.
In addition to a handwritten signature, wet signature examples traditionally included several other forms of authentication, such as a personal seal, stamp, and thumbprint. All of these models were (and still are) legal signatures used to verify the validity of documents and confirm identification.
The process of obtaining a wet signature goes as follows:
- Prepare the document that needs to be signed.
- If the document is in digital form, print it out on paper.
- Sign the document in the designated area with a pen (or ink).
- Have a witness be present during signing if legal requirements call for one.
- Once the document is signed, you can mail it, hand-deliver it, or scan it and send it via email.
Are Wet Signatures Still Required?
Wet signatures are still required in some cases, especially in legal and formal contexts, although electronic signatures have become more common over the past few decades.
The truth is that many people still find signing a document with a pen more secure and trustworthy. Namely, they see it as a way to confirm the signer has physically acknowledged the content and agreed with it.
In fact, the law sometimes specifically requires a wet signature to ensure the document’s validity and prevent fraud.
When Are Wet Signatures Mandatory?
Wet signatures are mandatory with:
- Certain legal documents. These, which include adoption papers, wills, court orders, property deeds, and some investor and banking contracts, may still need to be signed by hand. Still, this depends on the jurisdiction—while some require wet signatures to ensure credibility, others allow electronic signatures.
- Strict regulations in specific industries. Government, healthcare, and finance often call for wet signatures for certain types of documents to reduce the risk of fraud or dispute.
- Non-digital signers. People with no access to technology or those not comfortable with digital processes prefer wet signatures to their electronic counterparts.
What Are Electronic Signatures?
An electronic signature, or e-sign, is a digital version of someone’s handwritten signature. As an alternative to a wet signature, it’s commonly used for signing documents online. Its popularity and wide use lie in the fact that it allows for remote signing, thus eliminating the need for physical paperwork.
This type of signature offers a convenient way of signing a wide range of documents, including forms, agreements, and contracts. However, while e-signs are generally legally valid, not every jurisdiction recognizes them as such; in some cases, you may still need to sign a document by hand.
When Are E-Signatures Better than Wet Signatures?
E-signatures are better than wet signatures when:
- You need quick signing: Speed can be a factor in signing certain documents, and this is where e-signs come in handy. They’re completed instantly, as there are no delays from printing and mailing.
- Parties are in different locations: A document may need to be signed by a person in one city or country and sent to a person in another location. In such cases, an electronic signature is a great choice because it eliminates the need for shipping.
- There are lots of documents: Businesses typically process large volumes of forms and contracts. Luckily, e-signs can streamline the workflow, thus saving time.
- You need a secure signing process: Electronic signatures provide security measures such as encryption or two-factor authentication, which are especially important when signing documents containing sensitive information.
- It’s important to reduce the cost of the process: Wet signatures imply printing, mailing, and storing documents, all of which cost money. E-signs, on the other hand, save money by eliminating those extra steps.
- You’re working digitally: If you create and store documents digitally, converting them to physical files takes time. For this reason, it’s better to sign them electronically.
- Environmental impact matters: Printing physical documents requires paper and energy use. In contrast, e-signs save those resources, contributing to a more environmentally friendly workflow.
Wet Signature vs. Electronic or Digital Signature
Although wet signatures are still widely recognized and trusted, they take time, as they require the signer to be physically present or mail the signed document. This can be inconvenient nowadays, which is why electronic signatures were introduced.
They offer a way to sign documents online, whether by typing your name, signing it with a stylus on a touchscreen, or clicking the “I agree” button on a form. Of course, you can do all these things from anywhere (as long as you have access to the necessary technology), which makes e-signs much more convenient than their traditional counterpart.
Also, the term ‘digital signature’ is often used interchangeably with ‘electronic signature.’ However, the two aren’t quite the same.
Namely, a digital signature is an e-sign with an additional level of security in the form of encryption or two-factor authentication. Not only does it confirm the signer’s identity, but it also ensures the document hasn’t been changed after signing. Therefore, digital signatures are common in high-security industries, such as finance.
Choosing between wet signatures and e-signs or digital signatures depends on the situation. Traditional and formal documents often call for handwritten signatures. In cases where speed and convenience are important, electronic signatures are better. Meanwhile, you should use a digital signature when security is a priority.
Are Electronic Signatures as Safe as Wet Signatures?
Electronic signatures aren’t as safe as wet signatures; they’re even more secure.
Establishing the validity of a wet signature requires comparing copies of the signature and offering testimony from witnesses who were present during the signing or handwriting experts. On top of being time- and money-consuming, this process can be unreliable due to the human factor.
In contrast, electronic signatures use advanced technology to enhance security. They often come with encryption, audit trails, and various authentication methods to confirm the signer’s identity and prevent tampering. Thanks to these digital safeguards, it’s fairly easy to track when and where a certain document was signed.
Simply put, wet signatures rely on subjective methods to prove authenticity. Meanwhile, e-signs (and especially digital signatures) leverage objective systems that leave little room for error. With that in mind, not only do electronic signatures save time and money, but they also reduce the risk of fraud.
Downsides of Wet Signatures
The downsides of wet signatures include higher costs, longer turnaround time, limited privacy and security, and record-keeping issues. Let’s examine them more closely:
#1. Cost and Turnaround Time
Wet signatures are money-consuming, and not just because of the cost of printing and shipping (especially in the case of an overnight delivery). If you’re running a business, you also need to take into account the cost of lost revenue when it takes more than a week to receive a signed document.
This is where it also becomes evident how time-consuming wet signatures can be. Not only are you at the mercy of delivery services as it is, but you also need to factor in weekends and holidays when waiting for a document. Needless to say, if your sales contract takes too long to arrive, your potential client may explore other options in the meantime.
#2. Privacy and Security
Handling sensitive information calls for high levels of privacy and security, which, unfortunately, can be compromised in the case of physical documents. They can get stolen or lost, and even if they don’t, it’s still difficult to control who has access to them.
Electronic signatures involve no such risks. They offer numerous security methods to verify the signer’s identity, as well as the identities of those who can gain entry to the documents.
#3. Recordkeeping
When a document is signed with a wet signature and sent back to your company, it has to be scanned and stored in the cloud or on a local drive.
This can pose a problem if any of the parties need to access the physical version of the document again. Namely, it takes much longer to find it in boxes and filing cabinets in storage than it does to pull it up on a computer.
Why You Should Use PDF.net Tool for Signing
If you want a wet signature on a PDF document, you need to print said file, sign it, and scan it. Needless to say, this process is rather time-consuming. Fortunately, there’s a better way; with PDF.net, you can sign a PDF document electronically in moments, eliminating the extra steps. Here are some reasons you should consider this option:
- User-friendly interface: Whether you’re a first-time user or not, this PDF editor makes e-signing simple and hassle-free. You can upload, sign, and send a document in just a few clicks.
- Security and reliability: Thanks to its encryption and authentication features, PDF.net ensures your signatures are safe and legally binding. It protects your sensitive information every step of the way.
- Compatibility with different devices: With PDF.net, you can sign any document whenever you want and wherever you are. Whether you’re at home or on the go, you can complete the process in a snap.
Now that you know why, let’s see how you can e-sign with PDF.net:
- Open PDF.net on your computer, tablet, or cell phone.
- Upload your file in the designated space.
- Choose the Sign option from the menu bar.
- Choose the color and font and type your signature in the pop-up window.
- When you’re done, tap on Place in PDF and download your document.
What Is a Wet Signature? FAQ
#1. Can a wet signature be electronic?
A wet signature can be electronic if you scan it and convert it to digital format. This process allows the physical signature to be used in electronic documents, making it a convenient solution for digital transactions.
#2. Can a wet signature be scanned?
Yes, a wet signature can be scanned with a scanner or mobile device’s camera to create its digital copy. This digital version can then be used in electronic documents, enabling secure digital transactions and recordkeeping.
#3. Are electronic signatures legal?
Electronic signatures are legal, although some formal documents, such as wills, adoption papers, and court orders, still require wet signatures.
#4. Can I create a wet signature in Word?
You can create a wet signature in Word by signing on a piece of paper, taking a picture of the signature, uploading it to your computer, and inserting the image in a Word file.