Platform

eSignature Platform — Sign Documents Online Without a Notary

For agreements, contracts, and authorizations that don't require a notary seal — get documents signed electronically, legally, and instantly.

What Is eSignature?

Legally Binding Signatures, No Notary Required

An electronic signature (eSignature) is a legally recognized way to sign a document digitally. Under the ESIGN Act and UETA, electronic signatures carry the same legal weight as handwritten signatures for most business agreements and contracts.

eSignature does not involve a notary. The parties to a document sign electronically — that's it. No identity verification by a commissioned officer, no official seal, no session record.

  • Legally binding under ESIGN Act and UETA for qualifying documents
  • No notary fee required
  • Faster execution for multi-party agreements
  • Audit trail showing who signed and when
  • Compatible with standard business workflows

eSignature vs. Notarization — At a Glance

eSignature Notarization
Who signs Parties to the agreement Parties + commissioned notary
Identity verified No formal verification Yes (KBA + ID check)
Official seal No Yes
Session record Audit trail only Full notary journal + recording
Best for Contracts, agreements, HR docs Deeds, POA, affidavits, legal docs

Choosing the Right Tool

When to Use eSignature — and When to Use Notarization

Use eSignature For:

  • Business contracts and vendor agreements
  • Employee onboarding documents and offer letters
  • NDAs and confidentiality agreements
  • Sales agreements and purchase orders
  • Lease agreements (where local law permits)
  • Internal authorizations and approvals
  • Service agreements and engagement letters

Use Notarization For:

  • Powers of attorney (in most states)
  • Real estate deeds and title documents
  • Affidavits and sworn statements
  • Loan documents requiring notarial acknowledgment
  • Advance healthcare directives
  • Documents for foreign use (apostille)
  • Any document a court, government agency, or institution requires notarized
Start a Notarization — $25 →

Not sure which you need? Ask our team — we'll help you determine the right service.

Workflow

How eSignature Works on the Platform

  1. 1

    Upload Your Document

    Submit the document that needs to be signed. The platform accepts standard PDF and common document formats.

  2. 2

    Add Signers and Assign Fields

    Specify who needs to sign, where, and in what order. Add date fields, initials, or other required fields to the document.

  3. 3

    Send for Signature

    Signers receive a secure link and complete their signature from any device — no account required for signers.

  4. 4

    Download the Signed Document

    Once all parties have signed, the completed document is available to download. An audit trail records each signer's action and timestamp.

Pricing

eSignature Pricing

eSignature

[Insert eSign pricing]

Pricing details for eSignature are available upon request. Contact our team for current rates and business volume plans.

View All Pricing →

For documents requiring a notary seal, see notarization pricing — standard rate $25/document.

eSignature FAQs

An eSignature is an electronic signature applied by the parties to a document — it confirms agreement but does not involve a notary. Notarization adds a commissioned notary who verifies the signer's identity, witnesses the signing, and applies an official seal. Documents that require a notary seal by law cannot be completed with eSignature alone.

You need notarization when: the document is required by law to be notarized (e.g., deeds, powers of attorney, affidavits in many states), a government agency or financial institution requires a notary seal, or you are submitting a document that will be used in legal proceedings. If you're unsure, consult a legal professional or contact our team.

Yes. Online Notary Center supports eSignature for documents that don't require notarization and remote online notarization for documents that do — both from the same platform. Business accounts can manage both workflows centrally.

Not sure whether you need eSignature or notarization?

Our team can help you determine the right service for your document. Most notarizations complete in under 15 minutes.