What is a digital signature?

A digital signature is a way to sign a document electronically so the signer is identified and the signed document is protected against later changes. In everyday use, 'digital signature' usually means signing a document online in a browser. Technically, a digital signature can also mean a cryptographic signature backed by a certificate, while an electronic signature is the broader legal term for any electronic way of agreeing to a document.

What is the difference between a digital signature and an electronic signature?

An electronic signature (e-signature) is the broad legal concept: any electronic sound, symbol or process a person uses to agree to a document — typing a name, drawing a signature, or clicking an agree button. A digital signature is a specific technical method that uses cryptography and certificates to verify the signer and seal the document. Most business signing platforms, including Sign10X, provide electronic signatures and record the supporting evidence in an audit trail.

How do digital signatures work?

The sender uploads a document, places signature and fill-in fields, and sends it to the signers. Each signer opens a personal secure link, reviews the document, adds their signature, and confirms consent to sign electronically. The platform then produces a final signed PDF plus an audit trail recording who signed, when, and from where.

Are digital signatures legally valid in the United States?

Yes. The federal ESIGN Act (2000) and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA), adopted by nearly every U.S. state, give electronic signatures the same legal standing as handwritten signatures for most business and consumer transactions. Signers must consent to do business electronically, and the parties must be able to retain an accurate record — which is why Sign10X stores the signed PDF and audit trail for every completed request.

Are digital signatures secure?

A well-built signing platform is more secure than paper. Sign10X keeps uploaded documents in private storage, issues personal tokenized signing links instead of public file URLs, requires signer consent, and records timestamps and IP addresses for every event. The completed PDF is generated on demand from the original document and the recorded signatures, so the signed copy cannot quietly differ from what was signed.

How do I create a digital signature?

With Sign10X you create a signature in seconds: type your name and choose a handwriting style, draw your signature with a mouse or finger, or upload an image of your signature. The signature is placed onto the document when you sign and saved in the completed PDF.

How do I add a digital signature to a PDF?

Upload the PDF to Sign10X, place a signature field where the signature belongs, and either sign it yourself or send it to others. Sign10X can automatically detect likely signature and date areas on the uploaded PDF so you spend less time placing fields manually.

How much do digital signatures cost?

Sign10X starts free: the Free plan sends 5 envelopes per month at $0 with no credit card. Paid plans start at $9.99 per month (Starter, 70 envelopes), $19.99 (Business, 200 envelopes) and $39.99 (Professional, 600 envelopes), with custom Enterprise volume. Recipients never pay to sign.

Do signers need an account to sign?

No. Recipients sign for free from their personal signing link in any modern browser, on desktop or mobile. Only the sender needs a Sign10X account.

What documents can be signed digitally?

Most everyday business documents: contracts, NDAs, offer letters, proposals, invoices, consent forms and more. Some documents — such as wills, certain court filings and some notarized instruments — are excluded from ESIGN/UETA or require additional formalities, so confirm requirements for your specific document type.

How it works

How digital signatures work, step by step.

A digital signature lets people sign documents online instead of printing, signing and scanning. The sender prepares the document, each signer opens a secure personal link and signs in a browser, and everyone receives a completed PDF plus an audit trail proving who signed and when. Here is exactly what happens at each step — and the answers to the questions people ask most.

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The signing process in five steps

1. You upload and prepare the document
Upload a PDF and place fields where each person should sign, initial, date or fill in information. Sign10X automatically detects likely signature and fill-in areas on the upload so preparation takes minutes.
2. Signers receive a secure link
Each recipient gets an email with a personal, tokenized signing link. They do not need a Sign10X account. The link is their authorization to open and sign that specific document.
3. Signers review and sign
In the browser, signers review the document, type, draw or upload their signature, and confirm they agree to sign electronically. Every action is recorded with a timestamp and IP address.
4. The signed PDF is finalized
When everyone has signed, the signatures, dates and filled fields are written into a final PDF. Each signer and the sender receive the completed document.
5. The audit trail proves it
A downloadable audit trail records who signed, when, from which IP address, and each view, sign and completion event — the evidence behind every completed document.

Are digital signatures legal?

In the United States, yes. The federal ESIGN Act (2000) and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA), adopted by nearly every state, give electronic signatures the same legal effect as handwritten ones for most transactions. The key requirements are that signers consent to sign electronically, that their signature is attributable to them, and that the parties can keep an accurate record of the signed document.

That is why every completed Sign10X request produces a final signed PDF and an audit trail recording consent, timestamps, IP addresses and each signing event. Some document types — wills, certain court documents and some notarized instruments — are excluded or carry extra formalities, so check the rules that apply to your document. This page is general information, not legal advice.

Learn more on our security page and how Sign10X compares as a DocuSign alternative.

FAQ

How digital signatures work, step by step.

The signing process in five steps

1. You upload and prepare the document

2. Signers receive a secure link

3. Signers review and sign

4. The signed PDF is finalized

5. The audit trail proves it

Are digital signatures legal?

Top questions about digital signatures

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