- TL;DR
- What is an eSignature
- Step-by-Step eSign Process
- How Viewing Works
- Access and Device Support
- Security and Compliance
- Legal Validity Summary
- Best Practices for Viewing
- Audit Trail Checklist
- Typical Workflow Settings
- Pricing and Feature Comparison
- Feature Availability Snapshot
- Real-World Examples
- Common Troubleshooting Questions
- Who Uses Electronic Signatures
- Typical User Personas
How to See My Electronic Signature with signNow
TL;DR
What is an eSignature
Step-by-Step eSign Process
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01Upload Document: Open signNow, click Upload, and select the file you want to sign from your computer or cloud storage.
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02Add Signature Fields: Use the editor, choose Signature field, and drag it to the correct spot where the signer must sign.
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03Send for Signature: Click Send, enter signer email addresses, set order if needed, and include an optional message or deadline.
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04View Signature: Open the signed file in the viewer, then check the Audit Trail for signer name, timestamp, and IP details.
How Viewing Works
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Open Viewer: Sign in to signNow and open the completed document in the built-in file viewer to inspect signatures.
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Inspect Signature: Click on the signature field to see the visual signature, signer name, and signature type used.
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Check Audit Trail: Open the Audit Trail panel to view timestamps, IP addresses, and the sequence of signing events recorded.
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Download Evidence: Save a PDF copy with embedded audit trail and verification metadata for long-term storage or legal use.
Access and Device Support
signNow works in modern browsers, on iOS and Android apps, and via API integration for server workflows.
- Web Browser: Chrome, Edge, Safari supported
- Mobile Apps: iOS and Android apps
- API Access: REST API, SDKs
For best results use current browser versions or the mobile app; API integrations require developer keys and follow signNow authentication and rate limits for secure programmatic access.
Legal Validity Summary
Electronic signatures processed and stored in signNow meet U.S. legal standards under ESIGN and UETA for enforceability, with authenticated audit trails and timestamps. Use signNow when closing remote sales contracts or collecting employee onboarding signatures at scale. These features reduce delay, document loss, and provide admissible evidence of signing events in disputes.
Best Practices for Viewing
Audit Trail Checklist
Signer Name:
Timestamp:
IP Address:
Action Log:
Authentication Method:
Document Hash:
Typical Workflow Settings
| Setting Name | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Signing Order | Sequential |
| Reminder Frequency | 48 hours |
| Authentication Level | Email or 2FA |
| Auto-Archiving | Enabled |
| Audit Retention | 7 years |
Pricing and Feature Comparison
| $8/user/mo | $8/user/mo | $13/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | 7-day free trial | Free trial | Free trial | Free trial | Free trial |
| Bulk Send | Yes, Business Premium | Available on plans | Available | Available | Limited |
| Audit Trail | Yes, full audit trail | Yes, audit logs | Yes, audit logs | Yes, audit logs | Yes, audit logs |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes, BAA required | Yes, BAA available | Yes, BAA available | Contact vendor | Yes, BAA available |
| Envelope Cap | No envelope cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | No cap listed | No cap listed | No cap listed |
Feature Availability Snapshot
| Feature | signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recommended Label | recommended | standard | enterprise |
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $8/user/mo | $13/user/mo |
| Bulk Send Support | yes, on premium | ||
| Envelope Cap Policy | no cap | 100/year | no cap |
Real-World Examples
Optica Ventures LLC
Optica streamlines customer signatures using signNow for online agreements
- Simple interface for customers and staff
- Faster turnarounds and fewer errors
Resulting in quicker closings and higher client satisfaction per COO Brian Fitzgibbons
Xerox NetSuite Integration
Xerox integrated signNow with NetSuite to automate signature collection and record updates
- API-driven document routing and template use
- Reduced manual data entry and faster fulfillment
Leading to measurable time savings and consistent signing formats, according to Kodi-Marie Evans
Common Troubleshooting Questions
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Cannot find signature on document
Confirm you opened the final signed PDF rather than a draft; check Field Visibility in the document editor and review the Audit Trail to verify signature placement and signer email address.
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Audit trail missing entries
Ensure you downloaded the signed copy immediately after completion; if entries are missing, contact account admin to verify retention settings and check whether auto-archiving was enabled.
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Signature looks blank on mobile
Ask the signer to open the PDF in signNow app or a full-featured PDF viewer; some mobile previews hide embedded signature images until the document is fully downloaded.
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Need to verify signer identity
Use signNow authentication methods like email verification or two-factor authentication before sending; for higher assurance, enable phone or SMS verification via plan options.
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Unable to download signed copy
Check user permissions and storage limits on the account; administrators may need to enable download rights or clear integration storage quotas in connected cloud services.
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HIPAA and medical forms handling
Confirm a signed BAA is in place for HIPAA-covered data; ensure forms are stored in a HIPAA-compliant configuration with restricted access and encryption applied.
Who Uses Electronic Signatures
Many industries and business roles use eSignatures to speed approvals and reduce paper handling.
- Real Estate professionals using signatures for leases and closing documents on mobile devices
- Healthcare providers collecting patient consent and intake forms with HIPAA-compliant workflows
- Finance teams for loan documents, invoices, and tax paperwork requiring reliable audit trails
From small teams to large enterprises, electronic signatures suit hiring, sales, legal, and compliance tasks where a traceable, enforceable record of consent and execution is required.
Typical User Personas
IT Administrator
Responsible for provisioning accounts, enabling SSO, managing API keys, and setting security policies across signNow. IT admins ensure proper authentication, encryption, and data retention settings, and they coordinate with legal and compliance teams to meet regulatory obligations.
HR Manager
Uses signNow to send onboarding packets, tax forms, and benefit elections. HR managers set up templates, assign signing roles, and maintain secure archives; they rely on audit trails to prove receipt and acceptance of employment documents.
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Award-winning eSignature. Approve, deliver, and eSign documents to conduct business anywhere and anytime.
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End-to-end online PDF editor. Create, edit, and manage PDF documents and forms in the cloud.
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Online library of 85K+ state-specific legal forms. Find up-to-date legal forms and form packages for any use case in one place.