eSignature for Legal Agreements: Secure, Compliant & Legally Binding

Approve the right version

Resolve edits and internal review before sending. Confirm that the document and signing method are suitable for the transaction with the people responsible for that decision.

Plan recipient routing

Check signer details, required fields and signing order. Decide who follows up on an incomplete request and how a correction will be handled.

Keep the agreement record

Assign responsibility for reviewing completion and storing the signed agreement with its audit record. Define who can access the record and how it connects to the relevant matter or business relationship.

The Administrative Bottleneck

Manual workflows force your team to spend hours printing, scanning, and chasing status updates. This isn't just inefficient; it's a direct loss of high-value billable time. When legal departments rely on paper, they trade strategic advisory for administrative clerical work.

Security and Audit Gaps

Physical documents are vulnerable to loss, forgery, and unauthorized access. Without a digital, tamper-evident audit trail, proving the integrity of a signature or the chain of custody in a dispute becomes an uphill legal battle. Your firm cannot afford these blind spots.

The eSignly Advantage

eSignly replaces legacy friction with immediate, compliant digital execution. By automating document routing and providing detailed audit trails, we help your team manage agreement workflows. Review applicable security and compliance requirements, including SOC 2 and HIPAA, for your organization.

Electronic Signature Legal Frameworks

eSignly supports electronic signing workflows. Laws such as the U.S. ESIGN Act and UETA, and the EU eIDAS framework, address electronic signatures, but their requirements differ. The Certificate of Completion records signing events for review; a court determines evidentiary weight under applicable law.

Uncompromising Security

Your clients' and company's data is your greatest liability. We protect it with enterprise-grade security, including 256-bit AES encryption and top-tier certifications like SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001. Your documents are shielded from unauthorized access at every stage.

Built for Compliance

Navigating regulations is non-negotiable. eSignly helps you meet stringent industry requirements, offering specific compliance with HIPAA for healthcare agreements and 21 CFR Part 11 for life sciences, ensuring your workflows pass regulatory scrutiny.

Automated Audit Trails

Manually tracking a document's history is impossible. eSignly automatically generates a tamper-evident Certificate of Completion for every document. It records every action—from viewing to signing—with names, email addresses, IP addresses, and timestamps.

Radical Efficiency

Stop wasting billable hours chasing signatures. Automate your signing process with templates for common documents, set up automatic reminders for signers, and get real-time notifications when a document is completed. Reduce your contract cycle time by up to 50%.

Effortless for Everyone

A tool is useless if your clients or counterparties can't use it. Our signing process is intuitive and works on any device—no downloads, no account creation required for signers. They just click a link and follow simple instructions to sign securely.

Total Workflow Control

Legal agreements often require a specific signing order. Easily set up sequential or parallel signing workflows to ensure documents are routed to the right people in the right order, from junior associate review to final partner signature.

Seamless Integration

eSignly doesn't live on an island. Use our robust API to embed eSignature capabilities directly into your existing Practice Management, CLM, or Document Management Systems. Create a single, uninterrupted workflow from document creation to execution.

Flexible Deployment

Whether you're a cloud-native firm or have strict data residency requirements, we have a solution. Choose our secure multi-tenant cloud SaaS, or for maximum control, deploy eSignly on-premise within your own private infrastructure.

Legally Binding Electronic Signatures

Provide a secure and simple way for parties to sign electronically. Laws such as the U.S. ESIGN Act and EU eIDAS establish legal frameworks, but requirements and outcomes depend on jurisdiction, document type and signing circumstances.

• Accelerate agreement execution from weeks to minutes.
• Reduce risks associated with forged or altered paper documents.
• Keep records that may help document the signing process; legal effect depends on applicable law and context.

Detailed Signing Audit Trails

Automatically generate a comprehensive Certificate of Completion for every signed document. This tamper-evident PDF contains a full history of all events, including views, signatures, IP addresses, and timestamps.

• Retain a detailed record of the signing process for review.
• Simplify evidence gathering for potential disputes.
• Give reviewers a detailed event history to assess alongside the agreement and other evidence.

Advanced Signer Authentication

For high-stakes agreements, verify the identity of your signers beyond a simple email link. We offer multi-factor authentication options, including SMS passcodes, to add an extra layer of security and identity assurance.

• Increase security for sensitive or high-value contracts.
• Reduce the risk of signing by an unauthorized individual.
• Meet heightened identity verification requirements.

Customizable Templates

Stop recreating the wheel. Turn your most frequently used legal documents—like NDAs, engagement letters, or vendor agreements—into reusable templates. Standardize your contracts and prepare them for signature in seconds.

• Save hours of administrative work each week.
• Ensure consistency and reduce errors across all agreements.
• Onboard new clients and partners faster than ever.

Controlled Signing Workflows

Dictate the exact order in which your documents are signed. Set up sequential routing to ensure a partner reviews a document before it goes to the client, or parallel routing for when multiple signatures are needed without a specific order.

• Enforce internal review and approval processes automatically.
• Eliminate confusion about who needs to sign next.
• Maintain full control over the agreement lifecycle.

Bulk Sending for Standard Agreements

Send a standardized document, like an updated policy or an annual compliance form, to hundreds of recipients at once. Each recipient gets their own unique copy to sign, and you can track the status of all of them from a single dashboard.

• Drastically reduce the time spent on mass mailings.
• Track completion rates in real-time.
• Perfect for policy updates, shareholder notices, or class action communications.

Data Validation and Required Fields

Ensure you get all the information you need, the first time. Mark fields as 'required' to prevent signers from submitting incomplete forms. Use data validation rules to ensure data is entered in the correct format (e.g., dates, numbers).

• Eliminate the back-and-forth of correcting incomplete documents.
• Improve the accuracy of the data you collect.
• Standardize information for easier processing.

HIPAA Compliant eSignatures

For legal work in the healthcare space, ensure your handling of documents containing Protected Health Information (PHI) is compliant. eSignly offers the necessary controls, security, and Business Associate Agreements (BAA) for HIPAA compliance.

• Securely execute BAAs, patient consent forms, and other healthcare documents.
• Avoid severe penalties associated with HIPAA violations.
• Demonstrate your commitment to data privacy to healthcare clients.

21 CFR Part 11 Compliant Signatures

Serve clients in the life sciences, pharmaceutical, and biotech industries with confidence. Our solution provides the specific features required by the FDA's 21 CFR Part 11 regulations, including signature manifests and stringent authentication.

• Meet the rigorous electronic record and signature requirements of the FDA.
• Enable digital transformation for clients in regulated GxP environments.
• Expand your firm's capabilities into the lucrative life sciences sector.

eSignature API for Legal Tech Integration

Embed our powerful eSignature functionality directly into your firm's custom applications, client portal, or Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) system. Our well-documented REST API makes integration straightforward.

• Create a seamless, branded user experience.
• Automate document workflows from end to end.
• Unlock new efficiencies by connecting disparate systems.

On-Premise Deployment

For organizations with the strictest data governance policies or regulatory requirements that prohibit cloud usage. Deploy the entire eSignly platform within your own data center for ultimate control and security.

• Maintain 100% control over your data and infrastructure.
• Meet specific government or industry data residency rules.
• Integrate deeply with internal systems behind your firewall.

Custom Branding

Present a professional and consistent brand experience to your clients. Customize the signing portal with your firm's logo and brand colors, reinforcing your brand's presence throughout the signing process.

• Increase client trust with a branded, professional interface.
• Reinforce your firm's identity and marketing.
• Provide a seamless extension of your own website or client portal.

Real-Time Document Tracking

Gain complete visibility into the status of every document you send. See who has opened, viewed, and signed your agreement in real-time. No more wondering or sending 'just checking in' emails.

• Know the exact status of your agreements at a glance.
• Proactively identify and address bottlenecks.
• Provide accurate status updates to clients and partners instantly.

Team Management & Permissions

Manage your entire team or firm within eSignly. Add users, assign roles (e.g., admin, standard user), and control access to documents and templates. Ensure staff only have access to the information they need.

• Centralize billing and user management.
• Improve security with role-based access control.
• Share templates and workflows across your entire team.

In-Person & Witness Signing

Capture signatures when all parties are in the same room, such as during a closing or client meeting. The in-person signing feature allows you to host the signing session on a single device (like a tablet), with witness signature options available.

• Digitize the final step of in-person meetings.
• Ensure documents requiring a witness are executed correctly.
• Eliminate the need to print documents for a face-to-face signing.

Does electronic signing replace agreement review?

No. Review and approve the agreement before requesting signatures. Electronic signing handles the signing step; your organization remains responsible for its review, approval and recordkeeping decisions.

What should a legal team check before sending an agreement?

Confirm the final approved version, authorized signers, recipient details, required fields and signing order. Decide who reviews completion and where the signed agreement and audit record will be stored.

Can an electronic signature be legally binding?

In many jurisdictions, electronic signatures can have legal effect. In the United States, the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce (ESIGN) Act of 2000 grants electronic signatures the same legal status as handwritten signatures. Similarly, the eIDAS regulation in the European Union provides a legal framework for e-signatures. The legal effect of a particular signature depends on the applicable law, document and circumstances. We recommend consulting a qualified attorney about your specific legal questions.

What information does the signing audit trail record?

The Certificate of Completion is a tamper-evident PDF record of the signing event. It can include signer details, timestamps, IP address and recorded actions. These records may help explain how a document was signed, but no audit trail guarantees admission or a particular outcome in a dispute; those questions depend on the evidence, circumstances and applicable law. Review the record with qualified counsel when needed.

How do you protect the confidentiality of our legal documents?

We treat your data with the highest level of security. Every document is encrypted using 256-bit AES encryption, both in transit over the internet and at rest on our servers. Our platform undergoes regular third-party security audits and is certified for SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001. For maximum control, we also offer on-premise deployment options.

Can I use eSignly for documents that need to be filed with a court?

This depends on the specific rules of the court or jurisdiction. While many courts are increasingly accepting electronically signed documents, some may have their own specific e-filing systems or requirements. eSignly is perfect for executing agreements between parties, but you should always verify the specific filing rules of any government body or court system before submitting.

What if the other party's counsel wants to redline or suggest changes?

eSignly is focused on the final step: execution. The negotiation and redlining process should happen before the document is sent for signature. Once all parties have agreed on the final text in a program like Microsoft Word, you upload that final version to eSignly to capture the legally binding signatures.

Do my clients or the other parties need to pay or create an account to sign?

No. This is a critical part of our design. Signers do not need an eSignly account and never have to pay anything. They receive a secure link via email, click to open the document in any web browser on any device (computer, tablet, or phone), and follow simple on-screen instructions to sign. It's a frictionless experience designed for maximum adoption.

How does eSignly handle data residency for global compliance?

We understand data residency is a top concern for global firms. eSignly offers flexible deployment options, including regional data hosting and on-premise solutions, ensuring you remain fully compliant with GDPR, CCPA, and other local data privacy regulations regardless of where your firm or clients operate.

Can we integrate eSignly directly into our existing CLM or CRM platforms?

Absolutely. eSignly is built for the modern legal tech stack. We offer a robust, developer-friendly REST API that allows you to integrate eSignature capabilities directly into your CLM, Practice Management, or Document Management Systems. We also support standard webhooks to trigger downstream actions in your CRM.

What authentication methods are available for high-stakes agreements?

Beyond simple email verification, we offer multi-factor authentication (MFA) to provide higher assurance for sensitive agreements. You can require signers to verify their identity via SMS passcodes or email-based access codes, ensuring the document is signed only by the intended recipient.

Can we customize the branding of the signing portal to match our firm's identity?

Yes. We understand that your brand is your reputation. With our Professional, Business, and Enterprise plans, you can fully customize the signing interface. Upload your firm's logo, customize the color scheme, and use a custom domain for email notifications to ensure the signing process feels like a seamless extension of your professional brand.

1. Prepare Your Document

Upload your existing PDF or Word document, or use a pre-built template. Drag and drop the fields you need: signatures, initials, dates, and text boxes.

2. Add Signers & Send

Enter the names and email addresses of your signers. Define the signing order if needed. Click 'Send' and let our platform handle the notifications and routing.

3. Get It Signed & Secured

Signers receive an email, click a link to review, and sign on any device. Once complete, all parties receive the final signed document and a tamper-evident audit record for their records.

SOC 2 Type II

Audited for security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.

ISO 27001

The international standard for information security management systems.

HIPAA

Enables compliance for handling documents with Protected Health Information (PHI).

GDPR

Compliant with EU data protection regulations for handling personal data.

21 CFR Part 11

Meets FDA requirements for electronic records and signatures in life sciences.

PCI DSS

Ensures a secure environment for payment card information.

ESIGN & UETA

Compliant with U.S. federal and state laws for legal validity of e-signatures.

eIDAS

Compliant with EU regulations for electronic identification and trust services.

"We use eSignly for everything from sales contracts to procurement agreements. The audit trail is rock-solid, which gives me and our auditors peace of mind. The time saved in the finance department alone paid for the subscription in the first three months."

"I used to spend half my day printing documents and stuffing envelopes for courier. With eSignly's templates and bulk send features, I can process a dozen new client intakes before my first coffee is gone. It's the best tool our firm has adopted in years."

"As a remote-first company, we live on efficient digital tools. eSignly's API allowed us to embed the signing process directly into our sales CRM. Our sales cycle shortened by 4 days on average because the contract is the last, easiest step."

"Onboarding new hires across multiple states is a huge logistical challenge. Using eSignly for employment contracts and policy acknowledgements has been a lifesaver. It's HIPAA compliant, easy for new hires to use, and gives us a perfect record of everything."

"As a solo attorney, efficiency is survival. eSignly lets me compete with larger firms. I can send an engagement letter from my phone between court appearances and get it back signed before I'm back at my desk. It's professional, affordable, and indispensable."

"Managing contracts with hundreds of international vendors was a nightmare of different time zones and mail delays. eSignly standardized the process. We know when a vendor has seen the contract, and we get it executed in hours, not weeks. The security features are also critical for us."

Salesforce

Manage your document lifecycle directly within your CRM for streamlined sales and legal workflows.

Microsoft 365

Execute agreements seamlessly within your Microsoft ecosystem without switching between applications.

Google Workspace

Connect your legal documents directly to your Google Drive and Docs environment for effortless collaboration.

Dropbox

Automatically sync your signed documents to your secure Dropbox storage to maintain organized and accessible records.

Box

Keep your legal contracts secure and compliant by integrating eSignly directly with your Box enterprise storage.

Zapier

Unlock thousands of possibilities by connecting eSignly to your existing workflow tools and automating your document tasks.

AI-Powered Contract Review

Use summaries and playbook comparison to help organize agreement review. An appropriate reviewer should check the source agreement and make the decision; AI output can be incomplete or inaccurate.

Smart Data Extraction

Use information extraction to help locate agreement terms. Check extracted information against the source; do not assume that extraction creates automated alerts or updates another system.

Questions and Source Citations

Ask questions about agreement content and follow citations back to the source. Have an appropriate reviewer resolve uncertainty before relying on an answer or approving a next step.