Nowadays, signing contracts by email is increasingly common for convenience and time-saving reasons. But how can you ensure this process is legal and secure? In this article, we will guide you step by step to confidently sign your contracts by email.
Legally signing contracts by email
You may be wondering if signing a contract by email is legal. Don’t worry; in most countries, electronic signatures have the same legal validity as handwritten ones, as long as certain rules are followed.
The key is not to use just a basic electronic signature (such as typing your name), but an advanced or qualified electronic signature. These types of signatures offer a high level of security and authentication through reliable identification methods such as codes, SMS, or identity verification. An advanced electronic signature is perfectly suited for most business contracts. However, for very important documents, like a notarized deed, it’s better to opt for a qualified electronic signature with the highest level of security.
But that’s not all! For your signed contract to be fully valid, the signing service must also guarantee the integrity of the document, ensuring it hasn’t been altered after signing, using techniques like qualified electronic sealing.
Finally, remember that the contract itself must meet the legal validity conditions: lawful purpose, genuine consent, capacity of the parties, etc.
By choosing a reliable, secure, and legally compliant electronic signature service, and ensuring the legal validity of your contract, you can sign legally by email.
Tutorial: How to sign your contracts by email with Edusign
Now that we’ve covered the legal aspects, let’s move on to the practical steps to easily sign your contracts received by email:
- Open the attached document by clicking directly on the link sent by the other party.
- Carefully review the contract and fill in all the required fields (name, address, etc.). Make sure everything is correct.
- Create your unique electronic signature, either by drawing it with your mouse/stylus, typing your name, or importing an image. Place it in the designated fields.
- Save and download the signed document.
That’s it! By following these steps, you can professionally and securely sign any contract by email.
The advantages of electronic signatures
But what are the main advantages of signing by email rather than with a handwritten signature? Here are a few:
- Speed and convenience: No need to print, sign by hand, scan, and send back. It saves a lot of time!
- Cost savings: Save on printing, postage, etc., and easy tracking and archiving in a secure online space.
- Environmentally friendly: Avoid wasting paper.
Of course, electronic signatures have a few minor drawbacks, like a residual risk of fraud if security measures are insufficient, potential technical issues, and legal acceptance that may vary from country to country.
But overall, the benefits far outweigh the cons! That’s why more and more companies are adopting reliable solutions like ours to electronically sign their contracts.
You can even create your own !
FAQ – Signing contracts by email with confidence
Still have questions about signing contracts by email? Don’t worry, here are answers to the most frequently asked questions on the topic!
Q1: Is it legal to sign a contract by email?
Answer: Yes, in most countries, electronic signatures have the same legal value as traditional handwritten signatures. However, to fully comply, it is recommended to use not just a basic electronic signature, but an advanced or qualified electronic signature, which is more secure. Also, ensure that your contract meets the validity conditions required by your country’s law.
Q2: What is an advanced/qualified electronic signature?
Answer: Unlike a simple electronic signature, such as typing your name, advanced and qualified signatures use reliable identification methods (codes, SMS, identity verification, etc.) to securely authenticate the signer. The qualified signature offers the highest level of security, necessary for very official documents like notarized deeds.
Q3: How can I be sure the document hasn’t been modified after signing?
Answer: No worries, good electronic signature services guarantee the integrity of your documents using techniques like qualified electronic sealing. This ensures the contract hasn’t been altered after it was signed.
Q4: How can I verify that all parties have signed?
Answer: There are several solutions! You can request read receipts to confirm that your emails with the contracts have been received and opened. Alternatively, use an electronic signature platform that provides a convenient tracking system for the status of signatures.
Q5: What precautions should I take for a secure email signature?
Answer: Follow these tips: carefully read the contract before signing, choose an advanced/qualified electronic signature method, verify the identity of the other party, use a secure email service, and keep records of all email exchanges related to the contract.
As you can see, signing by email is a legal and approved process, provided you follow the best practices for secure electronic signatures. We hope this guide has helped clarify how to sign contracts by email. Feel free to contact us if you have more questions!
