Are e-signatures legally binding?
For most contracts, yes. In the US, the ESIGN Act and UETA give electronic signatures the same effect as handwritten ones, when four things are true. Here's how Dokkiman records each one.
What the law looks for
They meant to sign
Signers create their signature themselves and press Finish. They can decline instead, and say why.
They agreed to sign electronically
Before finishing, every signer ticks a box agreeing to sign electronically. They can’t finish without it.
The signature belongs to that document
Each signer gets a private link by email for that document only. Fingerprints of the file before and after signing show any later change.
The record is kept
Everyone gets the signed PDF and its certificate by email, and the sender keeps both in their Document Manager.
Questions
Which documents can’t be signed electronically?
In the US: wills, codicils and testamentary trusts; adoption, divorce and other family-law papers; court orders and official court documents; notices of utility shut-off, foreclosure or eviction, and cancellation of health or life insurance; and documents that must be notarized. Some deeds, recordings and promissory notes have their own rules too.
What about outside the US?
In the EU, UK, Canada and Australia, electronic signatures are also valid for most contracts. Under the EU's eIDAS rules, Dokkiman's are simple electronic signatures, not the advanced or qualified kinds a few EU documents require. Check the rules where you are.
What’s on the certificate of completion?
The document's name, who sent it and when, each signer's name and email, when they opened it and signed, their IP address, anything they filled in, and SHA-256 fingerprints of the document before and after signing.
What proves who signed?
Each signer's private link goes to their email address, so signing shows they had access to that inbox. Dokkiman doesn't check ID or send text-message codes, so for documents where identity really matters, you may want a stronger check.
And when I sign a document myself?
The same laws apply. Dokkiman keeps a short record of the signing (your name, the time, your IP address and the file's fingerprints), not the document itself.
This is general information, not legal advice. If you're unsure about a particular document, ask a lawyer. Ready to send one? Request signatures, or read how we handle your files on Security & privacy.
Last updated October 11, 2026