Handwritten electronic signatures
Signature fields can be signed with a finger or pen on phones and tablets, or with the mouse on a desktop. Your devices become a signature pad without buying hardware or installing an app.
- The signature is bound to exactly one document by a SHA-512 digital signature of the server.
- The server signature can carry a timestamp from an RFC 3161 time stamping authority, such as the Aloaha Timestamping Server.
- All communication between the device and the server is encrypted with TLS.
Typical uses: signatures in a branch or at the counter, field staff collecting signatures on site, and confirmations of visits or deliveries.
Digital X.509 signatures
Name a text field esignature in the designer and it becomes a PDF signature field. After submission the user opens the confirmed PDF in Adobe Reader, clicks the field and signs with a certificate or smart card. A submit button sends the signed PDF to the business owner of the form.
Signature levels under eIDAS
The EU regulation eIDAS distinguishes three levels of electronic signature.
| Level | What it is | With the eForms Server |
|---|---|---|
| Simple (SES) | Any electronic sign of intent, for example a drawn signature. | Handwritten signature, sealed and timestamped by the server. |
| Advanced (AES) | Uniquely linked to the signer, detects later changes. | X.509 signature field with a personal certificate. |
| Qualified (QES) | Advanced signature with a qualified certificate on a secure device. | X.509 signature field with a qualified smart card, for example with the Aloaha PDF Signator. |
Frequently asked questions
Is a handwritten signature in a web form legally valid?
It is a simple electronic signature under eIDAS. The eForms Server binds it to the document with a server signature and an optional timestamp, so later changes are detected.
Can forms be signed with a smart card?
Yes. Fields named esignature become PDF signature fields that can be signed in Adobe Reader with X.509 certificates and smart cards.
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