How to Get My Digital Signature with signNow

TL;DR

Use signNow to create, request, and manage legally binding eSignatures across web, mobile, and API workflows. signNow provides secure encryption, audit trails, and integrations with common business systems, plus a 7-day free trial. For U.S. legal validity rely on ESIGN and UETA compliance and configure signer authentication and retention settings to meet industry requirements.

What a digital signature is

A digital signature is a secure electronic way to sign a document that proves who signed it and that the document has not been altered. Think of it as stamping a paper form with a tamper-evident seal and a timestamp, but done online. In practice, platforms like signNow let you upload PDFs or Word files, place signature and form fields, verify signer identity, capture consent, and store a complete audit trail that courts and business partners accept under ESIGN and UETA.

Step-by-step signing process

Follow these clear steps to get your digital signature on a document using signNow, whether you are an individual or part of a team.

• 01
  Create an account: Register on signNow, confirm your email, and complete basic profile settings for signing.
• 02
  Upload your document: Import a PDF or Word file from your device, cloud storage, or integration connector.
• 03
  Add signature fields: Open the editor, drag Signature and Text fields to the correct places on the page.
• 04
  Send for signature: Set signer order, authentication options, add message and reminders, then send.

Where you can sign

Use the web app for full editing, mobile apps for on-the-go signing, and the API to embed eSignature into business systems.

• Web browsers: Chrome, Edge, Safari supported
• Mobile apps: iOS and Android native apps
• APIs and SDKs: REST API for automation

Legal validity and timing

Electronic signatures executed with signNow are enforceable under ESIGN and UETA when signer intent and consent are recorded. Use signNow when closing remote sales contracts or collecting employee onboarding signatures at scale, and when you need timestamped evidence and audit trails to support compliance.

Security and compliance highlights

In-transit encryption: TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3

At-rest encryption: AES-256 encryption

Certifications: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001

Health data support: HIPAA compliant, BAA required

Regulatory support: ESIGN, UETA, 21 CFR Part 11

Accessibility: WCAG 2.0 Level AA

How signing workflows function

A typical signNow workflow moves a document from preparation to completion with defined steps that capture intent, identity, and an audit trail.

• Prepare document: Upload file and review pages before adding fields.
• Place fields: Drag signature, date, and input fields where needed.
• Authenticate signer: Choose email, SMS, or access code verification.
• Complete and store: Signers finish, signNow timestamps and secures file.

Core signNow features

signNow includes features designed for business use: field placement, mobile signing, audit trails, and automation options to speed document cycles.

Fillable fields

Create reusable templates with text, checkbox, date, and signature fields to reduce repeated data entry and ensure consistent form completion across users and teams.

Bulk send

Send a single document to many recipients with personalized fields and track responses, reducing manual sending and increasing completion speed for mass agreements.

Audit trail

Every action is logged with timestamps and IP addresses providing a legal record of intent, view events, and signature completion for compliance and dispute resolution.

Mobile apps

Native iOS and Android apps support offline signing, camera uploads, and quick signer flows to keep processes moving outside the office.

Advanced capabilities and integrations

Beyond basic signing, signNow supports integrations, advanced authentication, automation, and enterprise controls that fit larger workflows and regulated industries.

API access

Full REST API for embedding eSignature into custom apps and automating document generation and send workflows.

SSO support

Single sign-on available for Site License and Enterprise for centralized account control.

Conditional fields

Show or hide fields based on prior answers to reduce signer confusion and enforce business rules.

Payments integration

Accept payments as part of signing for invoices and order forms with secure processing.

Kiosk mode

Configure devices for public signing sessions like event check-ins or on-site registrations.

Pre-built connectors

Integrations with Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace, Box, and other systems for native document flows.

Typical workflow settings

Set up repeatable workflow defaults in signNow to standardize sending, authentication, and retention across teams.

Setting Name	Configuration
Signer order	Sequential or parallel
Authentication method	Email, SMS code
Reminder frequency	48 hours
Audit retention	7 years
Notification settings	Email and in-app

Pricing and feature comparison (data current as of 2026)

This comparison summarizes starting prices and select features for signNow and leading eSignature competitors as of 2026. Check vendor sites for plan details before purchasing.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$8/user/mo	$13/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Trial available	Trial available	Trial available	Trial available
Bulk Send	Yes, Business Premium	Available, limits apply	Available on select plans	Yes, included	Limited availability
Audit Trail	Yes, detailed trail	Yes, detailed trail	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes, BAA required	Yes, BAA required	Yes, BAA required	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Envelope Cap	No envelope cap	100 envelopes/user/year	No envelope cap	No envelope cap	No envelope cap

Real-world examples

These short case narratives show how organizations use signNow to speed approvals and maintain compliance.

Optica Ventures — COO

Optica replaced paper investor forms with signNow to simplify remote signing and reduce processing time.

• They use templates and mobile signing.
• This increased turnaround and customer convenience.

Resulting in faster closings and improved investor experience.

Xerox — NetSuite Director

Xerox integrated signNow with NetSuite to automate contract generation and signature collection across sales and procurement workflows.

• The NetSuite connector auto-populates fields and triggers sends.
• That removed manual entry and reduced errors.

Leading to consistent documents, faster approvals, and clearer audit records.

Common issues and fixes

If you encounter problems while getting or using your digital signature with signNow, these troubleshooting items address frequent causes and solutions.

• Cannot receive verification email
  Confirm the recipient email is correct, check spam folders, and whitelist signnow domains. If corporate filters block messages, have your IT allow mail from signNow and retry sending the invite after correcting the address.
• Signature fails validation
  Ensure signer completed required authentication and did not modify protected fields. Check the audit trail for the signed event and confirm timestamps and IP addresses match expected values to validate signature integrity.
• File upload errors or corrupt PDF
  Validate that the file is not password protected and is a supported format. Re-export the document from the source application as PDF/A or standard PDF, then re-upload and place fields again.
• Mobile signing problems
  Update the signNow app to the latest version, confirm network connectivity, and clear app cache if fields do not render. For offline signing, sync the device once back online to register signatures.
• Authentication code not received
  Check the recipient's SMS carrier restrictions, verify the mobile number, and use email authentication as backup. Retry sending the code and allow a short delay for carrier delivery.
• API integration errors
  Verify API keys, scopes, and callback URLs. Confirm rate limits and request formats match signNow API docs, and enable detailed logging to capture payloads and error responses for troubleshooting.

Who typically needs a digital signature

Small businesses and large enterprises alike use signNow to reduce turnaround time, centralize records, and maintain legally defensible audit trails.

• Real estate agents and brokers needing remote lease and purchase signatures.
• Healthcare administrators collecting HIPAA-compliant patient consent forms digitally.
• Finance teams sending invoices, tax forms, and client agreements securely.