E-signature Legality in United States
Electronic signatures are valid in the United States, under the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (“ESIGN”). State law versions of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (“UETA”) govern e-signatures as they apply to the different states. U.S. territories also have their own e-signature laws. The same applies to Puerto Rico. Local laws may also apply.
Learn more about the e-signature legality in United StatesE-signature Legality in Canada
Several Canadian provinces allow for electronic signatures, including British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec as of the last update of this page. At the federal level, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) governs e-signatures, and there are specific laws on e-signatures at the province level and in some cases locally.
Learn more about the e-signature legality in CanadaE-signature Legality in Australia
Electronic signatures are also valid in Australia, federally under both the Electronic Transactions Act of 1999 (Cth) (“ETA”) and the sub-regulations that are part of it, and the Electronic Transactions Regulations 2000 (Cth) (“ETR”). Australian states and territories also have their own e-signature laws, and there are some local laws as well.
Learn more about the e-signature legality in AustraliaE-signature Legality in United Kingdom
Under eIDAS, there are different types of e-signatures, including “Standard” electronic signatures, “Advanced” electronic signatures, and “Qualified” electronic signatures. Each of these types of electronic signatures has its own requirements. eIDAS affects individuals, companies, public entities, and covers many different types of transactions. The good news is that e-signatures are valid for many types of documents in the U.K., provided that the laws are followed. Consult your attorney for advice.
Learn more about the e-signature legality in United KingdomE-signature Legality in New Zealand
Electronic signatures are generally accepted in New Zealand, for many types of business contracts, those involving real estate, and for contracts between individuals, among other types.
Learn more about the e-signature legality in New ZealandThis page was last updated on October 4, 2022.
Disclaimer
The information on this web page is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as legal advice or to state what the law is. Consult your attorney for legal advice regarding the topics discussed on this page.