Wet Signature Requirements

A handwritten signature is created when a person physically marks a document. In some cultures, this is done by writing a name on a piece of paper in a stylized and italic format (or even a simple “X”). Other cultures use name seals with the same effect. In both cases, the word “wet” implies that the signature takes time to dry because it was made with ink or wax. The publication by the United Nations of the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce paved the way for the development of new laws on the use of electronic signatures. The United States passed the Electronic Signatures in Global and Domestic Commerce Act, better known as the Electronic Signature Act, in 2000. It validated the use of electronic contracting in national and international trade. What do you imagine when you hear the word “signature”? 50 years ago, we might all have had the same answer, but today, “ink on paper” is not the only way to authorize a document or transaction. With a few exceptions, which will be discussed in the next section, electronic signatures can replace handwritten signatures in a variety of use cases.

Until recently, getting a signature as part of a contract always meant physically dragging a pen across the page to leave a signature, then giving the other party the same pieces of paper and letting them do the same. This would be done with “wet” ink, which is why we are talking about a contract that must be “signed wet”. The “Request Signature” feature allows the signer of a document to electronically sign or print a printed copy and sign the document manually. Other types of electronic signatures are valid and enforceable in most countries and can sufficiently replace handwritten signatures. The difference between a wet and dry signature is that a wet signature is usually created on paper and with ink or pens. In comparison, dry signatures do not use ink and include signature methods such as electronic signatures. Note that a signature is not required to conclude a contract (find out more about the position in English law). However, the use of some kind of signature is still considered a crucial part of concluding a contract.

A handwritten signature refers to a person who supports a physical paper document by signing their name with a pen (“wet ink”). Today, a handwritten signature is almost never required to conclude contracts and agreements, and various forms of electronic signatures have replaced them. The ability to electronically sign a document or approve a grant has greatly simplified contract management. As a result, companies that still rely primarily on handwritten signatures waste valuable time and resources. Is your company spending too much time waiting for contracts to be signed and agreements to be signed? If you rely solely on handwritten signatures, the answer is yes. Here`s a quick tip on how businesses can save time and money by replacing handwritten signatures with electronic ones. DocuSign is primarily used to manage electronic and digital signatures in the cloud. In addition, it can also help speed up the process of collecting handwritten signatures. By automating contracts with Juro, they were able to file handwritten signatures and electronically sign dozens or hundreds of contracts simultaneously with a single click.

If you want to do the same, click the button below. If not, read on to learn more about wet ink signatures. For hundreds of years, wet ink signing was the de facto standard for recording the agreement of two or more companies in a binding contract. Electronic signatures and digital native signatures are secure and offer a fast contracting process, but digital native signatures have an important advantage: they provide a seamless signing experience. Companies that operate online can`t afford to slow down their process, and one-click deals are becoming increasingly expected. In the United Kingdom, police had to meet with each witness in person to get them to sign a printed copy of their testimony. Adobe ICT has partnered with Police ICT, a company that helps law enforcement agencies in the UK streamline and digitize the process. Police were able to meet witnesses by phone and obtain electronic signatures to verify their statements, with face-to-face meetings reserved for serious crimes. The increased use of electronic signatures has saved approximately 25,000 man-hours per year.

Everyone knows the handwritten signature: you physically sign your name on a document like a contract or check. While some elements of this contracting process avoid relying on handwritten signatures, the process as a whole is painful and likely to deteriorate as it grows because it relies on files (Word and PDF documents) rather than data. This leads to three key issues: handwritten signatures are also required for certain documents related to wills, trusts, adoptions, divorce proceedings, court orders, evictions and insurance benefits. This sample e-signature PDF document contains information that verifies the authenticity of the digital signature. Image Source: Author However, with most commercial contracts, you can assume that an electronic signature is acceptable and legally valid. If you are ever unsure, you should check with your counterparty before signing. A handwritten signature is a physical mark on documents created by a person. In many cultures, a wet signature involves writing a name in italics or marking it with an “x” on a piece of paper. Other cultures use a name seal to make a wet signature. In both cases, the word “wet” means that a signature takes time to dry.

The electronic signature is the modern, secure and digital way to conclude contracts. Moving your contract workflow from filing cabinets and envelopes to the cloud is the dominant trend when it comes to how companies handle contracts in the future. The electronic signature reinforces all this, but is only one element of the contract lifecycle. The image below is an example of a contracting process that introduced the electronic signature to replace the handwritten signature, but as part of a process that was still fragmented, inefficient and plagued by data loss: wet signatures were not limited to putting a pen on paper, although this is the first image that comes to mind for most people. Name seals were once a popular form of handwritten signature. The Magna Carta, one of the most important documents in English history, was signed by King John with a seal. With this in mind, what is the technical definition of a handwritten signature compared to other forms of legally binding signatures, and when should you use one? We`ll go over the pros and cons of the four types of signatures you could use in your business: The term “wet signature” refers to someone who affixes a physical signature or unique mark to a printed copy of a document with a pen or seal to make it legally binding. Putting a simple “X” on a piece of paper would be enough to stand in court.

We can trace one of the oldest known traditional wet signatures thanks to El Cid, a well-known military and noble leader, to medieval Spain. When a person uses a pen or seal to sign their name on a physical paper document, they have wet it with a handwritten signature.