How to Know What My Electronic Signature Is — Using signNow

TL;DR

This guide explains how to identify, create, and manage your electronic signature using signNow. It covers what an eSignature is in plain terms, step-by-step signing and sending workflows, device and platform requirements, legal validity under ESIGN and UETA, security and audit trail details, common troubleshooting, and a concise vendor pricing comparison for U.S. users.

What an Electronic Signature Is

An electronic signature is a digital way to show you agree to a document, similar to signing on paper but done online. It can be a typed name, a drawn signature on a touchscreen, or a signature created by secure processes. In signNow, eSignatures are created, placed, and recorded inside documents so signers can fill and sign from a browser or mobile app while the platform records time, identity, and an audit trail for legal proof and compliance.

Legal Validity and When to Use It

signNow complies with ESIGN and UETA for legally binding electronic signatures in the United States and supports HIPAA protections with a BAA when required.

Common Problems People Face

• Unclear signer identity when authentication options are not used leading to disputed signatures.
• Poorly prepared documents lacking fields or instructions can delay completion and require rework.
• Compatibility issues when older browsers or PDFs prevent interactive fields from displaying correctly.
• Missing audit trail or metadata can make it difficult to prove signing order and timestamp.

Who Uses Electronic Signatures

Organizations and individuals across many industries use eSignatures to speed approvals, reduce paper, and improve recordkeeping.

• Real estate agents sending leases and purchase agreements for remote closing.
• Healthcare staff collecting patient consent forms with HIPAA-compliant workflows.
• Finance and legal teams executing contracts, invoices, and tax forms quickly.

Typical User Profiles

Small Business Owner

A small business owner uses signNow to send invoices, contracts, and service agreements by email or link. They rely on templates and mobile signing to complete deals faster while keeping an audit trail and signed copies for records and accounting.

IT Administrator

An IT administrator configures SSO, API keys, and user roles for company accounts. They set authentication rules, retention settings, and integrations with CRM or document storage systems to secure workflows and streamline signature requests across departments.

Security and Compliance Features

Encryption Standards: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit, AES-256 at rest

Audit and Logging: Detailed time and event logging

Regulatory Certifications: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001

Privacy Protections: GDPR and CCPA compliance

Healthcare Controls: HIPAA support with BAA required

eSignature Laws: ESIGN and UETA compliant

Risks of Improper eSignature Use

Signature Disputes: Weak evidence

Data Breach: Regulatory fines

Noncompliance: Contract invalidation

Operational Delay: Process bottlenecks

Lost Records: Incomplete audit trails

Integration Failures: Workflow interruptions

Real-World Examples

These concise case summaries show how different organizations use signNow to eSign and manage documents across industries.

Tech Data — Global Distribution

Tech Data standardized eSign workflows across internal and external teams to speed order processing

• Bulk signing and template use for repeated contracts
• Reduced turnaround time and improved customer experience

Resulting in faster revenue recognition and more consistent document handling.

Xerox — NetSuite Integration

Xerox integrated signNow with NetSuite to automate signature capture and attach signed documents directly to records

• API-based document generation and send for signature
• Eliminated manual uploads and reconciliation tasks

Leading to fewer errors, faster approvals, and clearer audit trails.

Step-by-Step: Identify and Create Your eSignature

Follow these practical steps to create or confirm your electronic signature in signNow, prepare the document, and send it for signature.

• 01
  Upload Your Document: Open signNow, click Upload, and choose the file from your computer or cloud storage account.
• 02
  Add Signature Fields: In the editor, drag a Signature field to the line where the signer must sign and assign the recipient.
• 03
  Set Authentication: Select signer authentication like email, access code, or two-factor to verify identity before signing.
• 04
  Send for Signing: Use Send or Bulk Send to deliver the document and track progress from the dashboard until completion.

How Electronic Signing Works in Practice

This section outlines the core steps in an eSignature workflow from preparation to storage, using signNow terminology and features.

• Prepare Document: Upload a PDF or document and position required fields for signers.
• Assign Roles: Add signer emails and set signing order or parallel signing as needed.
• Authenticate Signers: Choose authentication options such as email verification or access codes.
• Finalize and Store: Once signed, signNow stores the signed file and audit trail securely.

Core signNow Features for eSignatures

signNow provides essential tools for creating, sending, and managing electronic signatures with features designed for speed, security, and repeatable workflows.

Fillable Fields

Create text, date, checkbox, and signature fields so recipients can complete forms online, ensuring required data is captured before finalizing the document.

Bulk Send

Send the same document to many recipients with personalized fields and track completion rates to streamline mass authorizations like consent forms or invoices.

Templates

Save frequently used documents as templates with preplaced fields and roles so teams can reuse workflows and reduce repetitive setup work for common agreements.

Offline Signing

Allow mobile users to download and sign documents offline and sync signed files and audit history when connectivity is restored to maintain continuity.

Best Practices for Verifying Your eSignature

Adopt these practices to confirm what your electronic signature is and to minimize disputes, improve security, and ensure valid signed records.

Use Strong Signer Authentication Methods

Require email verification plus an additional method, such as access codes or two-factor authentication, on higher-value documents to tie the signature to a verified identity.

Keep Documents Well-Prepared and Clear

Place required fields logically, include signer instructions, and use conditional fields to prevent incomplete signing that could invalidate or delay the agreement.

Retain Full Audit Trails and Metadata

Save the signed PDF plus system-generated audit logs showing timestamps, IP addresses, and signer authentication to provide evidence of intent and acceptance.

Standardize Templates and Workflows

Use templates and role-based workflows to ensure consistent signing order, authentication, and storage policies across teams and reduce human error.

Advanced signNow Capabilities

For organizations with more complex needs, signNow includes advanced features that support integrations, conditional logic, authentication, and enterprise controls.

API Access

Full REST API for document generation, sending, and retrieving signed documents to automate signature tasks within existing systems and workflows.

Conditional Fields

Show or hide fields based on prior inputs to create adaptive forms and reduce signer confusion or irrelevant fields during the signing process.

Advanced Authentication

Add phone verification, access codes, or identity provider options for higher-assurance signatures and regulatory requirements.

Integration Ecosystem

Connect with Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace, Box, and other systems to route documents and sync signed records automatically.

Compliance Tooling

Features and controls that support ESIGN, UETA, HIPAA (BAA), 21 CFR Part 11, and audit readiness for regulated industries.

Enterprise Controls

SSO, role-based permissions, and centralized administration for multi-team management and security policies at scale.

Managing the Audit Trail

Audit trails document who signed, when, and how; follow these steps to review, export, and preserve those records within signNow.

01

Open Document History:

View the document’s Audit Trail from the document details pane to see signer events and timestamps.

02

Review Signer Events:

Check each recorded event for authentication method, IP address, and time to validate the signing sequence.

03

Export Records:

Download the signed PDF and export the audit log when you need an external record for compliance or legal review.

04

Store Securely:

Keep a copy in your encrypted cloud repository or signNow account for retention and retrieval.

05

Preserve Metadata:

Ensure exported files include embedded signature metadata to maintain evidentiary value across systems.

06

Respond to Disputes:

Use the audit trail and authentication records to resolve signer disputes and demonstrate intent.

FAQs About How to Find Your eSignature

Common questions and troubleshooting steps for identifying, creating, and validating your electronic signature within signNow are answered below.

• How do I locate my saved signature in signNow?
  Open the editor and click the Signature tool; saved signature styles appear for reuse. If you used a drawn or uploaded image, the editor stores it under your profile for future documents and syncing across devices.
• What if a recipient says the signature isn’t theirs?
  Check the document’s audit trail for authentication method, IP address, and time. If you used access codes or two-factor authentication, include those records when investigating a dispute to verify signer identity.
• Can I change my electronic signature after signing?
  No. Once a document is signed and finalized, the signature is part of the signed record. To correct a signature, create a new version of the document and send a new request for signature to capture a fresh, valid acceptance.
• Why won’t a signature field accept my input on mobile?
  Ensure the signNow mobile app is up to date and that the document is downloaded for offline use if connectivity is poor. If the field is locked by conditional logic or incorrect role assignment, request the sender to adjust the form fields.
• How can I prove the signature is legally binding?
  Provide the signed PDF plus the signNow audit trail showing timestamps, authentication, and IP data. signNow’s compliance with ESIGN and UETA supports legal validity when signer intent is clear.
• Who do I contact for account or technical issues?
  Workspace admins should use enterprise support channels; smaller accounts can access signNow help resources or trial support depending on plan level and subscription entitlements.

Devices and Platform Requirements

Access signNow from modern web browsers, native mobile apps, or integrations; ensure your environment meets basic compatibility needs before sending documents.

• Supported Browsers: Chrome, Edge, Safari
• Mobile Apps: iOS and Android
• API Access: REST API available

Keep apps updated, use secure networks, and verify API credentials with IT to maintain secure and reliable eSignature workflows across devices.

Typical Workflow Settings

Set these configuration values to ensure reliable sending, reminders, authentication, and retention in signNow workflows.

Setting Name	Configuration
Reminder Frequency	48 hours
Authentication Type	Email + access code
Bulk Send Limit	Per plan
Archive Retention	7 years
Template Library	Shared folder

Feature Availability Comparison

A concise feature availability comparison between signNow, DocuSign, and Adobe Sign for common eSignature capabilities relevant to U.S. business users.

Feature / Vendor	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign
Audit Trail
API Access
Mobile Apps
Envelope Cap	no cap	100 envelopes/year	varies by plan

Pricing and Plan Comparison (Data current at time of writing)

This table summarizes starting prices and key plan features across signNow and selected competitors for annual billing; values are concise and oriented to typical U.S. buyer questions.

	signNow	DocuSign ($8 ser/mo)	Adobe Sign ($13/user/mo)	PandaDoc ($19/user/mo)	HelloSign ($15/user/mo)
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$8/user/mo	$13/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Trial avail.	Trial avail.	Trial avail.	Trial avail.
Bulk Send	Yes, Business Premium	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Audit Trail	Yes, detailed logs	Yes, detailed logs	Yes, detailed logs	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes, BAA required	Yes, BAA available	Contact vendor	Contact vendor	Contact vendor
Envelope Cap	No envelope cap	100 envelopes/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan