The electronic signature is the possibility of conducting joint document flow online for companies and organizations that are located at different ends of the planet. When concluding a transaction electronically, it is important to find out how this type of paperwork is regulated in the state in which the other party to the agreement or contract operates.
eSign documents in Pennsylvania with DigiSigner
For signing electronic documents following the rules and regulations established by the law of Pennsylvania, you can use online services. DigiSigner offers simple and convenient tools for signing electronic documents remotely, even if the two parties to a contract are on different continents.
Upload the document and scroll to where you want to sign. You can sign with the mouse, touchpad, enter details or download a ready-made signature from the device. To sign a large number of papers, you can create a template by entering the date, name, and title.
Use the available online services to facilitate document flow, while acting within the framework of the adopted legislation on electronic documents.
General Provisions for Electronic Signatures in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania in terms of electronic workflow is subject to the Uniform Electronic Transaction Act – UETA. It ensures the execution of electronic documents but does not oblige their use. The goal of UETA is to regulate electronic document flow. General provisions:
- the record or signature does not lose legal force only for the reason that it is made in electronic format;
- the contract does not lose legal force and the need for enforcement only because of its formation was used an electronic signature;
- if the law states that a written signature certifies the document, the electronic format meets these requirements;
- if the document requires any signature, the electronic one meets the requirements.
The basic principle is that the signature is not part of the very essence of the transaction, but is its presentation or form.
Purpose of electronic signatures according to the laws of Pennsylvania:
- certificate: the signature certifies the authenticity of the letter by linking the signatory with the document;
- Ceremony: the act of signing draws the attention of the signatories to the legal weight of the document and allows you to prevent the obligations taken “out of order”;
- approval: the signature expresses the approval, intention or permission of the signatory to have legal weight.
The parties must agree in advance that they maintain joint documentation in electronic format. Once a transaction conducted in this format does not oblige the parties to continue the business relationship in this form.
eSignature Law in Pennsylvania
The Electronic Transaction Act was passed in Pennsylvania in 1999. He points out to all companies the standards for using electronic signatures published by the Administrative Office. After checking the security requirements, the agency must indicate whether an electronic signature is required in documents of this format. If so, it should be provided, as amended, in the laws of Pennsylvania:
- type of signature required;
- the method and format in which the signature should be attached to the document;
- the identity of the criteria to which the third party representing the signatories must comply.
The company is responsible for implementing the control process to ensure adequate security, integrity, security and confidentiality of documents, as well as the possibility of their audit.
Objectives and functions of electronic signatures
Regardless of technology, electronic signatures should provide:
- data integrity;
- attribution – the exact signing of the document is not a third party, but a partner;
- reliability – the inability to refute the fact of signing the document;
- reliability – proof that the document has not been changed after execution.
If the agency is subject to the laws of Pennsylvania or state laws, it is not possible to introduce more stringent procedures and complicated policies for applying electronic signature tools and technologies.
For an electronic signature to comply with the law, it must meet the following requirements:
- password-based signature used in conjunction with electronic stamps or paintings;
- provide authentication of electronic signature technology;
- the signature must be unique to the person;
- the signature must confirm the person’s intent to be associated with this transaction;
- the signatory must be fully aware of the purpose for which it provides its details, regardless of the technology.
For data protection, it is recommended to use the ITP-SEC020 encryption standards, for ITP-SEC031 transit data.