ESIGN Act
The U.S. federal law (Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act of 2000) that grants electronic signatures and records the same legal validity as handwritten signatures and paper documents in interstate and foreign commerce.
What is ESIGN Act?
The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN Act), enacted in 2000, is the primary U.S. federal law governing electronic signatures and records. It establishes that electronic signatures and records cannot be denied legal validity or enforceability solely because they are in electronic form. The law applies to transactions in interstate or foreign commerce.
The ESIGN Act is technology-neutral — it does not mandate any specific technology for creating electronic signatures. A valid electronic signature under ESIGN can be anything from a typed name to a biometric fingerprint, as long as the signer intended to sign. This flexibility has been a key factor in the widespread adoption of electronic signatures in the United States.
Important provisions of the ESIGN Act include requirements for consumer consent when using electronic records instead of paper, record retention requirements (electronic records must be accessible and accurately reproducible), and protections ensuring that consumers can withdraw consent to receive electronic records.
The ESIGN Act works alongside state-level laws, particularly the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA), which has been adopted by 49 states. Where both apply, ESIGN generally defers to UETA. Together, these laws create a comprehensive legal foundation for electronic signatures and digital commerce in the United States.
How zipzipdoc handles this
zipzipdoc's electronic signatures comply with the ESIGN Act requirements. Every signed document includes the evidence needed to demonstrate signer intent, consent, and document integrity — the core elements courts look for when evaluating the validity of an electronic signature under U.S. law.
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