Papersign FAQ

An electronic signature, or e-signature, is a digital mark, equivalent to a handwritten signature, which is used to signify approval or consent on digital documents or forms. They can take different forms, including a typed name, an uploaded image of a handwritten signature, or a signature created using a mouse or touchscreen.

For most kinds of documents, in many locations, eSignatures can be used to complete a legally binding document. eSignature law varies from country to country, often from region to region, and by use case (e.g. wills and deeds often still need wet ink signatures). Papersign can be used in a compliant manner to e-sign documents, but you should always seek legal advice to ensure that your region’s legal and document type requirements are met.

Papersign implements the technical measures required of the following regulations:

• ESIGN Act and EUTA (US)
• ETA & ETR (AU)
• eiDAS Regulation (EU), except for Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES)
• UK eiDAS Regulation (UK), except for Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES)

eSignatures work by letting users sign digital documents online. Depending on the platform, this could involve typing your name, drawing your signature, or uploading an image of your signature. The platform will then associate this signature with the document and the signer's identity, creating an audit trail that records the signing process.

We’ve got some great demos that show you how Papersign achieves this:

1. Papersign Product Walkthrough
2. How to set up documents for re-use in Papersign
3. Connect Paperform with Papersign to send documents to be signed on new form submissions

Yes. Papersign is secure and your eSigned documents are safe with us. A product of Paperform, Papersign incorporates robust security measures, including encryption and audit trails, to protect your documents and signatures. We also comply with the technical requirements of several eSignature legislations, to ensure the privacy of your information:

• ESIGN Act and EUTA (US)
• ETA & ETR (AU)
• eiDAS Regulation (EU), except for Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES)
• UK eiDAS Regulation (EK), except for Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES)

For more information on security, see Paperform's general security practices.

Many types of commonly used agreements can be signed electronically. For example, client proposals, employee agreements, non-disclosure agreements, purchase orders, insurance claims, and consent forms may be signed using Papersign.

If you already have your documents and are ready to use them with Papersign, you can upload them as PDFs, which can be exported from programs like Google Docs and Microsoft Word. You can also create documents from scratch within Papersign itself, or even have a combination of your existing PDF documents and then create new pages and add content as you like.

While the terms are often used interchangeably, there is a technical difference between them. An electronic signature is any mark made on a digital document with the intent to sign. A digital signature, on the other hand, is a type of electronic signature that uses a specific technology known as Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to provide additional security measures. Digital signatures authenticate the signer's identity and ensure the document has not been tampered with after it was signed.

Paperform’s “Signature” field is a great way to capture simple electronic signatures within your Paperform form alongside a range of other rich data. Papersign is different in that it:

• provides the ability to capture a digital signature - a kind of electronic signature with advanced features that keep them compliant and secure, including full automated signature workflows with digital certificates upon completion.
• allows you to create full documents such as contracts and agreements and to place required fields anywhere in the document. Papersign is super smart, and can dynamically prefill your document with a range of known information to prevent tedious re-entry.
• allows you to monitor and action requests and reminders for recipients once your document has been sent for signing in a dedicated dashboard.
• is built with eSignature legislation in mind.

The Paperform form builder features a direct integration with Papersign eSignature software. This allows a web form submission to automatically trigger a signature request for a connected document, and any answers given on the web form can be piped into that document before the signature is requested. The request can also be sent to an email address given on the web form.

To see this in action, check out our Paperform and Papersign integration demo.

Yes! There is a free plan of Papersign. There is also a paid plan that allows for unlimited signatures.

• Free plan - Papersign is usable for free, with a limit on how many documents you can have signed per month.
• Pro plan - For those who need to send more, the Pro plan allows you to sign an unlimited number of documents.

Recipients of your documents are never charged for signing the document.

Papersign and Paperform are billed completely separately (you don't need an active Paperform subscription to use Papersign, or vice versa), however the products are already integrated in terms of functionality and work well together to create end-to-end workflows.

View the Papersign pricing details for more information.

Paperform (“Paperform” or “we”) provides the information, data, links and other materials on this page (collectively, “Information”) for informational and educational purposes only. We do not warrant or represent the accuracy, completeness, currency, or suitability of any Information for any use or purpose. Paperform is not a licensed legal provider nor is it providing any legal advice; the Information should not be so construed or used. Nothing contained in the Information is intended to create an attorney-client relationship, to replace the services of a licensed, trained attorney or legal professional, or to be a substitute for the legal advice of an attorney or trained legal professional licensed in your state/jurisdiction. Before taking any action, including using our services to execute contracts or other documents, You should always first consult an attorney licensed in your state/jurisdiction, in each instance, regarding the issues address by the Information. Please NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL LEGAL ADVICE OR DELAY IN SEEKING IT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ IN THE INFORMATION.