How to Create an Electronic Signature
How do you create an electronic signature? Adding electronic signatures to a document saves time, and you can sign a document quickly and securely by creating an eSignature. During the challenges of COVID-19, more people began to work remotely, and there was a growth in the use of electronic signatures during the pandemic. The use of electronic signatures and digital signatures has continued to grow as people continue to work remotely and transact remotely. In this article, we provide a guide that takes you through the process of creating an electronic signature and signing a document if you haven’t yet used one.
An electronic signature is legally binding in the UK, but a digital signature is one form of electronic signature that will need to be used when more authentication is required for some transactions. Read on to learn how to create an electronic signature or sign by creating a digital signature.
Creating an Electronic Signature - a Step-by-Step Guide
It’s time to say goodbye to paper contracts - you can start signing documents easily with a simple electronic signature, and you can even sign on mobile.
What is an electronic signature?
An electronic signature is a symbol or other data in the digital format adopted by a person who wants to sign an electronic document. It can often take the form of an image of a physical signature. It stops users from having to print, sign, send and post a document or contract. You can create an electronic signature PDF and use an electronic signature in word documents, Google Docs and more.
Creating your Electronic Signature using DocuSign eSignature
To create a signature - you can choose one of the preformatted signature styles (which act as a signature generator), upload an image of your signature, or draw your online signature directly.
Step 1 - Sign up for a free trial of electronic signature software. You can sign up for a trial of DocuSign eSignature here.
Step 2 - Log in to your account and choose “Manage Profile”.
Step 3 - Click the ‘Signatures’ tab.
Step 4 - Click ‘+add new’ to create an electronic signature.
Step 5 - Choose from the menu of three different options depending on how you want to create your signature - upload, draw or choose a pre-formatted option.
For the upload and draw options, you will need both a signature and initials. For the draw option, you draw freehand, and for the upload option, you will need an acceptable file format and image size. (GIF, JPG, PNG, BMP)
You can use the DocuSign mobile app on a tablet or other mobile device to draw your signature using a stylus or just your finger.
Step 6 - When you are happy with your signature, press ‘CREATE’.
Voila, you’ve created an electronic signature. Now follow this simple tutorial which guides you step-by-step on how to sign a document electronically with your newly created signature.
Do I need to create a digital signature?
Digital signatures are one type of electronic signature used when an extra layer of identity verification is needed. Digital signatures provide a higher level of security by using technology that encrypts the signature and verifies that the person signing is who they say they are.
If you need to sign a document with a digital signature - you can execute it in five simple steps with DocuSign eSignature:
- Click the link - You may be sent an email requesting you to sign your document digitally. Open the email and click the link. Your document should open in an electronic signature tool such as our DocuSign eSignature application.
- Agree to electronic signing - You may be asked to agree to sign. After confirming the agreement and if the document was sent via DocuSign eSignature, you should see tags with instructions to Start or Sign.
- Click each tag - Follow the instructions to add your electronic signature where it is required to sign or initial.
- Verify your identity - You will need to verify your identity with a government-issued ID. Watch this video to see how DocuSign ID verification works. You’ll upload a copy or take a photo of your ID.
Discover our complete guide to electronic signatures to find out more, or download our free electronic signature app.
How to create a signature?
To create an electronic signature, start by signing up for a free trial of electronic signature software. You can sign up for a trial of DocuSign eSignature here. Then follow the step-by-step guides to create your signature. Using the software, you can upload an image of your signature, choose a pre-formatted signature style that is generated by the software or draw your signature in eSignature.
What are the steps to create a signature?
When you have signed up for your DocuSign eSignature trial, log into your account and choose “Manage Profile”. Then click the ‘Signatures’ tab and press the ‘add new’ button to create your signature. You can select one of the three ways of creating your signature - upload, draw or choose a pre-formatted option.
What is the fastest way to digitally create a signature?
Digital signatures are one type of electronic signature used when an extra layer of identity verification is needed. You can create a digital signature in five simple steps with DocuSign eSignature. If you are sent an email requesting you sign and need to verify your identity, click the link in the email, and your document should open. You can agree to sign and should see instructions to start or sign. Follow the instructions to add your signature. If you are asked to verify your identity, you will need to provide your ID by uploading a copy or taking a photo of your ID.