How to E-Sign a Document – Fast, Secure, and Legally Valid

An electronic signature, or eSignature, is a digital method of approving or agreeing to the content of a document — without needing to print or sign it by hand. It has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature, as long as it complies with relevant regulations.

Electronic signatures can take various forms, including:

• Typed name at the bottom of an email or form
• Scanned image of a handwritten signature
• Click-to-sign buttons or checkboxes
• Drawn signatures using a finger or stylus on a touchscreen
• Signatures generated via eSignature platforms like Yousign

These options allow users to sign PDFs and documents online quickly and securely, adapting to various business needs.

In many countries, electronic signatures are legally valid and enforceable, provided they meet certain criteria. Here's a quick overview:

Under the eIDAS Regulation, there are three levels of eSignatures:

1. Simple Electronic Signature (SES) – basic level, sufficient for many use cases
2. Advanced Electronic Signature (AES) – linked to the signer and capable of detecting tampering
3. Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) – the highest level, equivalent to a handwritten signature under EU law

Signing a PDF online is fast and easy with a trusted eSignature solution like Yousign. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you sign your documents securely and in full legal compliance.

To begin, simply upload the document you want to sign — most commonly a PDF file. Yousign supports other formats too, such as Word and Excel.

• Go to the Yousign dashboard
• Click on "New request" or "Add document"
• Upload your file from your computer or drag and drop it into the interface

Your document is now ready for signature placement.

Once your document is uploaded, you can add your signature in a few clicks. Yousign offers several ways to personalise your signature:

• Draw your signature directly with your mouse or touchscreen
• Type your name, then choose from several signature styles
• Upload a scanned signature image if you prefer a handwritten look
• Add initials or text elements where needed

You can drag and drop the signature field to the exact location on the document. You can also define the order of signers, add multiple signatories, or include additional fields like dates and checkboxes.

After placing your signature:

• Review the document for accuracy
• Click "Send for signature" to notify other parties
• Yousign will guide each recipient through the signing process

Once all parties have signed:

• Download a certified copy of the signed document
• Share it securely via email or direct link
• Access a full audit trail for legal verification

Choosing Yousign to e-sign documents online comes with several advantages in terms of speed, security, and legal reliability.

With Yousign, you can sign PDFs online in just a few clicks, eliminating the need for printing, scanning, or mailing. This saves time and accelerates business workflows.

Yousign’s platform is designed for all users — no technical expertise required:

• Clean, user-friendly interface
• Easy drag-and-drop signature placement
• Step-by-step guidance throughout the process

Electronic signatures are only effective if they are secure. Yousign uses:

• End-to-end encryption for all documents
• Secure authentication methods for signers
• Tamper-proof certificates and timestamping

All signed documents are archived and accessible with a full audit trail.

Yousign is fully compliant with:

• The eIDAS Regulation in the European Union
• International standards for electronic signatures
• Requirements for Advanced (AES) and Qualified (QES) signatures

This means your documents are legally valid across the EU and in many other countries.

Whether you need to sign one contract or manage hundreds of approvals, Yousign offers:

• Scalable plans for businesses of all sizes
• A 14-day free trial to test the platform before committing

For an electronic signature to be accepted in a legal context, it must meet specific criteria regarding authenticity, integrity, and security. With Yousign, every document signed online is legally binding and complies with the highest regulatory standards.

Electronic signatures are recognised as valid and enforceable by most jurisdictions, provided they meet the conditions defined by law. Below are the main regulatory frameworks:

Under these frameworks, the following elements are essential for a valid electronic signature:

• Clear intent to sign
• Consent of all parties involved
• Reliable identification of the signer
• Integrity of the signed document

The eIDAS Regulation distinguishes between three levels of electronic signatures:

1. Simple Electronic Signature (SES) – Basic level, suitable for low-risk agreements
2. Advanced Electronic Signature (AES) – Tied to the identity of the signer and tamper-evident
3. Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) – Highest level of security, legally equivalent to a handwritten signature

Yousign offers both AES and QES, giving businesses the flexibility to choose the appropriate level of assurance based on the type of document.

Yousign integrates advanced security protocols to protect your documents and ensure their legal value:

• End-to-end encryption to prevent data interception
• Multi-factor authentication for signer verification
• Automatic timestamping to prove when the document was signed
• Audit trail including signer identity, IP address, and actions performed

These measures ensure that the signature cannot be altered after signing, and that each action is traceable and legally verifiable.

To ensure that your electronic signatures are both legally valid and operationally efficient, it’s essential to follow a set of best practices. These guidelines will help your organisation stay compliant, secure, and productive when signing documents online.

Not all documents require the same level of security. Depending on the sensitivity of the transaction or the legal requirements in your region, you may need a different type of signature:

• SES (Simple Electronic Signature) – Suitable for low-risk agreements such as internal approvals or NDAs
• AES (Advanced Electronic Signature) – Ideal for most business contracts where identity and integrity are important
• QES (Qualified Electronic Signature) – Required for high-risk or regulated documents such as financial, HR, or legal records in some jurisdictions

When in doubt, opt for AES or QES to ensure maximum legal protection — both are supported by Yousign.

To guarantee legal validity, always use a certified solution that complies with the relevant regulations (e.g. eIDAS, ESIGN, UETA, UNCITRAL).

A compliant platform like Yousign ensures:

• Signature authentication
• Secure document handling
• Audit trails and time-stamping
• Full alignment with European and international legal standards

Efficient adoption of electronic signatures depends on how well your team understands the process. Make sure to:

• Provide clear documentation and training
• Define internal workflows for sending and signing documents
• Assign signing roles and responsibilities across departments

This helps reduce errors, delays, and unnecessary manual work.

Always keep records of:

• Who signed the document
• When and where it was signed
• The method used for signature verification
• Any modifications to the document before signing

Yousign provides an automatic and legally compliant audit trail for every transaction, which can be used as legal evidence if needed.

Electronic signatures have replaced printing, scanning, and mailing — for good reason. Today, signing a document can be done in minutes, from anywhere, with complete legal assurance.

By using a trusted solution like Yousign, you benefit from:

• Speed – sign documents instantly
• Security – protect sensitive data with strong encryption
• Simplicity – user-friendly workflows and signature tools
• Compliance – full alignment with eIDAS and international standards

Whether you're closing deals, onboarding new hires, or handling internal approvals, digital signatures help you save time, reduce errors, and stay compliant.