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Guide · updated Oct 2026

Are e-signatures legally valid?

In most countries, yes, for most everyday agreements.

India

The Information Technology Act, 2000 recognises contracts made electronically (section 10A), and most contracts do not need a paper signature to be valid. Aadhaar eSign and digital signature certificates are the forms the Act names (section 3A and the Second Schedule) and carry the strongest legal presumption. Other e-signatures, such as an email-verified signature with an audit trail, are widely used for everyday commercial agreements and proved with that record. Electronic records are admissible under the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023.

  • IT Act, 2000 (sections 3A, 5, 10A)
  • First Schedule, IT Act (exclusions)
  • Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023
check_circleUsually fine to e-sign
  • Commercial contracts and NDAs
  • Employment offers and HR documents
  • Vendor, consulting and freelance agreements
  • Quotations, sign-offs and consent forms
cancelExcluded or restricted
  • Wills and other testamentary documents
  • Powers of attorney
  • Trusts
  • Negotiable instruments other than cheques
  • Contracts to sell or convey immovable property, or any interest in it (this can include leases)

Simple e-sign vs Aadhaar eSign

Simple e-signatureAvailable
Email link and one-time code, with an audit trail
Aadhaar eSignComing soon
OTP on Aadhaar-linked mobile via a licensed provider
balance Disclaimer. This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and depend on the document and the parties. For important agreements, check with a lawyer in the relevant country.

United States

The federal ESIGN Act and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (adopted by almost every state) give electronic signatures the same legal effect as handwritten ones.

  • ESIGN Act, 2000
  • UETA
check_circleUsually fine to e-sign
  • Sales and service contracts
  • Employment and HR documents
  • Leases and rental agreements
  • NDAs and vendor agreements
cancelExcluded or restricted
  • Wills, codicils and testamentary trusts
  • Family law documents (e.g. adoption, divorce)
  • Court orders and notices
  • Certain notices such as utility shut-offs

Signature types

Electronic signatureAvailable
Intent to sign plus a record of the process
Notarised (RON)Not offered
Remote online notarisation, state-specific
balance Disclaimer. This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and depend on the document and the parties. For important agreements, check with a lawyer in the relevant country.

European Union

The eIDAS Regulation defines three levels of electronic signature. A simple electronic signature can't be refused as evidence just because it is electronic.

  • eIDAS (EU 910/2014)
  • eIDAS 2.0
check_circleUsually fine to e-sign
  • Most commercial contracts
  • NDAs and procurement
  • HR documents (varies by member state)
cancelExcluded or restricted
  • Some family and inheritance matters
  • Real estate transfers in many member states
  • Documents requiring a notary

eIDAS levels

Simple (SES)Available
Email verification and audit trail
Advanced (AES)Coming soon
Uniquely linked to the signer, ID verified
Qualified (QES)Not offered
Qualified certificate from a trust provider
balance Disclaimer. This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and depend on the document and the parties. For important agreements, check with a lawyer in the relevant country.

United Kingdom

English law has long accepted electronic signatures. The Electronic Communications Act 2000 and UK eIDAS confirm they are admissible, and the Law Commission has confirmed they can validly execute most documents.

  • Electronic Communications Act 2000
  • UK eIDAS
check_circleUsually fine to e-sign
  • Commercial contracts
  • Employment contracts
  • Deeds, where witnessing rules are met
cancelExcluded or restricted
  • Wills
  • Some Land Registry dispositions
  • Lasting powers of attorney (paper process)

Signature types

Simple e-signatureAvailable
Email verification and audit trail
Advanced / qualifiedComing soon
ID-verified, certificate-based
balance Disclaimer. This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and depend on the document and the parties. For important agreements, check with a lawyer in the relevant country.

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