How to Get an Electronic Signature (2026 Guide)

To get an electronic signature, pick an e-signature tool, upload the document you need signed (a PDF, Word file, or image), place a signature field where the signature belongs, and then either sign it yourself or send a secure link to the person who needs to sign. The signer signs from any phone or laptop, no account required, and you get back a completed, tamper-evident PDF. An electronic signature created this way is legally binding in the United States under the federal ESIGN Act and state UETA laws.

Last updated July 2026.

"Get an electronic signature" can mean two things, and they are worth separating. Sometimes you need to sign a document yourself. Other times you need to collect a signature from a client, a new hire, or a vendor. The good news is that one tool handles both, and neither takes more than a couple of minutes once you know the steps. Here is how each one works.

How do you get an electronic signature?

You get an electronic signature by opening an e-signature tool, uploading your document, adding a signature field, and signing it or sending it out. You create the actual signature one of three ways: type your name and pick a style, draw it with a finger or trackpad, or upload an image of your handwritten signature. The tool locks that mark to the document and records who signed and when.

The whole flow looks like this in practice:

• Upload the file. Most tools accept a PDF, a Word document, or an image up to a set size (SignSend allows up to 50MB).
• Place the fields. Drop a signature field, plus a date, text, or checkbox field wherever the document needs one.
• Sign or send. Sign it yourself in the browser, or send a secure link to the other party.
• Save the record. You get back a finished PDF with an audit trail: timestamps, IP addresses, and signer identity.

What is the easiest way to get an electronic signature?

The easiest way to get an electronic signature is to use a dedicated e-signature tool rather than a printer or a manual PDF editor. You upload the document once, the tool shows both you and any signer exactly where to sign, and it captures the legal record automatically. No printing, scanning, or re-attaching, and the signer needs no software of their own.

That last point matters more than it sounds. When you send a document through a signing platform, the recipient just taps a link, signs on their phone, and submits. Compare that to emailing a plain PDF and hoping the other person knows how to add a signature and send it back. Purpose-built electronic signature software removes the guesswork on both ends, which is why signed documents come back in hours instead of days.

How do I get someone else to sign a document electronically?

To get someone else to sign a document electronically, upload the document to an e-signature tool, place a signature field where they need to sign, enter their email, and send. They receive a secure link, open it on any device, sign without creating an account, and submit. You are notified the moment it is done and receive the completed, signed PDF.

This is the part that saves the most time for a business. You are not chasing a wet signature or explaining how to scan a page. The signer sees only the fields assigned to them, signs, and the finished file lands back in your account with a full audit trail attached. For contracts, order forms, and onboarding packets, that record is what makes the signature defensible if anyone questions it later. If you want to see the steps from the signer's side, our guide on how to sign a PDF online walks through it.

Can I create an electronic signature for free?

Yes, you can create an electronic signature for free. Many e-signature tools include a free tier, and SignSend's free plan covers 3 documents per month with the full signing workflow, audit trail included. That is enough for occasional signing. If you send documents regularly, a flat paid plan removes the monthly cap without charging per user.

Here is how SignSend's plans compare so you can match the tool to how often you actually sign:

Note that the Pro and Business plans are flat monthly rates, not per-signer pricing, so adding teammates or sending to more recipients does not raise the bill. If you are comparing options, our roundup of the best e-signature software for small business lines up the main tools on price and limits.

How do I add an electronic signature to a PDF?

To add an electronic signature to a PDF, open the PDF in an e-signature tool, select the signature field, and create your signature by typing, drawing, or uploading it. Place it on the signature line and save the file. The signature is embedded in the PDF, so the version you send back is the finished, signed document, not a separate image.

The three ways to create the signature itself all count equally under U.S. law, because what matters is your intent to sign, not how the mark looks. Here is how they differ:

Is an electronic signature legally binding?

Yes. An electronic signature is legally binding in all 50 states under the federal ESIGN Act of 2000 and state UETA laws, as long as both parties agree to sign electronically and the signing is recorded. An electronically signed contract, lease, or agreement is enforceable and admissible in court the same as one signed in ink.

For a signature to hold up, three things need to be present: the signer intended to sign, the signature is attached to that specific document, and there is a record of who signed and when. A signing platform captures all three automatically through its audit trail. A signature pasted in as a flat image has none of that record, which is why a tracked e-signature is the safer choice for anything that matters. Our deeper explainer covers whether electronic signatures are legally binding and the few document types that still need paper.

What is the difference between an electronic signature and a digital signature?

An electronic signature is any mark made with intent to sign a document, such as a typed name, a drawn signature, or a click to accept. A digital signature is a specific security technology that uses encryption and a certificate to seal the document and verify it has not been altered. Most e-signature tools apply a digital signature behind the scenes to protect each completed file.

In plain terms, "electronic signature" describes the legal act, and "digital signature" describes one method of securing it cryptographically. You do not have to choose between them. When you sign through SignSend, you are creating a legally recognized electronic signature, and the finished PDF is sealed so any later tampering is detectable. For a full breakdown, see electronic signature vs digital signature.

What happens after the document is signed?

Once a document is signed, you download the completed PDF with its audit certificate and store it somewhere durable. For a business, the signed file is often the start of the next task rather than the end of it. A signed order form or approval usually feeds into back-office work, and teams that automate their invoice approvals and accounts payable keep that paperwork moving instead of letting it pile up after signing.

Because the document was digital from the first signature, nothing has to be re-keyed or re-scanned down the line. That is the quiet advantage of getting the signature electronically in the first place: the record is clean, searchable, and ready to hand off.

The bottom line

Getting an electronic signature comes down to four steps: choose an e-signature tool, upload your document, place a signature field, and sign it or send it. As the signer, you can finish from a phone in two minutes with no account. As the sender, you place the fields, send a secure link, and collect a signed PDF with a full audit trail. It is legally binding under ESIGN and UETA, and you can start for free. Try SignSend to upload your first document and get it signed today.