Not all documents have the same signature requirements. A casual invoice has very different signing rules than a real estate deed or a last will. Understanding what type of signature each document needs — and whether an electronic signature is sufficient — saves you from rejected filings and legal headaches.
Documents where electronic signatures are fully valid
- Business contracts and agreements: Client contracts, vendor agreements, partnership deals, and service agreements all accept electronic signatures under the ESIGN Act and eIDAS.
- Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs): Standard NDAs between businesses are valid with electronic signatures.
- Employment documents: Offer letters, employment contracts, benefit enrollment forms, and non-compete agreements.
- Invoices and purchase orders: Commercial invoices and POs accept e-signatures without issue.
- Tax forms: The IRS accepts electronic signatures on most tax documents, including W-9, W-8BEN, and 1040 forms.
- Lease agreements: Residential and commercial leases generally accept electronic signatures.
Documents where you may need additional steps
- Real estate deeds and titles: Some states require notarized signatures or in-person signing for property transfers.
- Court filings: Many courts accept e-signatures, but some jurisdictions require wet signatures or electronic filing through specific systems.
- Wills and trusts: Most jurisdictions require wills to be signed in the presence of witnesses, and some require notarization. Electronic wills are legal in some US states but not universally accepted.
- Power of attorney: Often requires notarization and/or witness signatures depending on the jurisdiction.
- International documents: Cross-border documents may need apostille certification, which typically requires wet signatures or specific digital certificate systems.
How to determine what you need
When you receive a document to sign, look for specific instructions about signature requirements. The document itself often states whether it needs a wet signature, electronic signature, notarization, or witnesses. If no specific instructions are given, an electronic signature is sufficient for most commercial and personal documents. When in doubt, ask the requesting organization directly.