---
id: KB-GL-003
url: https://app.codecontract.io/help/glossary/what-is-an-electronic-signature
idioma: en
categoria: glosario
subcategoria: firma
audiencia: usuario
nivel: intermedio
actualizado: 2026-08-13
tambienEn: [es]
relacionados: [KB-CO-009, KB-GL-004, KB-GL-015]
citadoPor: [KB-GL-004]
---

# What is an electronic signature

_Accepting a document electronically while leaving proof of who, what and when._

**Responde a:** what is an electronic signature · digital signature definition · difference between electronic and digital signature · is signing electronically the same as by hand

**Electronic signature** — The act of accepting a document by electronic means, together with the set of data that later proves who accepted it, which exact document it was, and when.

What matters is not the squiggle or the image: it is the evidence left behind. A scanned signature pasted into a PDF looks like a signature and proves almost nothing; an electronic signature with no drawing at all can prove a great deal more.

## What makes it hold

**En corto**

- That you can prove who signed.
- That you can prove which document they signed, exactly that one.
- That the time is set by someone other than the signer.

## Electronic and digital signature

In conversation they are used interchangeably. Strictly, "digital signature" refers to the cryptographic technique underneath, and "electronic signature" to the legal act. For everyday purposes the distinction changes nothing.

> [!WARNING]
> A photo of your signature pasted into a document is not an electronic signature: it is an image. Anyone can copy it into another document.

**Is it worth the same as signing by hand?**

Under the European framework an electronic signature cannot be rejected merely for being electronic. What decides its strength is the evidence behind it.

**Do I need a digital certificate?**

It depends on the level required. For most commercial documents, no.

**Does an email saying "agreed" count?**

It may count as acceptance, but it proves far less: it does not pin down which version of the document was accepted.

## Ejemplos

**A client asks whether they can sign the contract "properly" instead of electronically.**

- Has it explained what gets recorded when signing
- Signs from their phone

→ The contract ends up with more evidence than it would have had on paper, where nobody records when it was signed.

**A supplier says their scanned signature in the PDF is already an electronic signature.**

- Explains what is recorded in each case

→ A pasted image is distinguished from an act with proof behind it.

**Somebody signs from a phone on a train and doubts it counts.**

- Checks the evidence that was stored

→ The device does not change what can be demonstrated.

**A company wants to know what proof it holds if the signer denies it.**

- Opens the signed copy and its evidence record

→ The answer sits inside the document itself.

**A paper signature is given and nobody notes the day.**

- Signs electronically and leaves the time recorded

→ The date stops being the first thing argued about.

**A signer asks for a copy after signing.**

- Sends them the signed document with its evidence

→ Both parties hold the same thing.