In the modern business world, signings are increasingly conducted using electronic methods. In recent years, firms have found that being able to add a signature to a document electronically has multiple advantages. While admissible in a UK court of law, electronic document signing can be used for almost all applications. However, there are still some instances where a conventional wet ink signature may be required.
In this blog, we’ll look at some of the exchanging options available for electronic document signing and discuss the rare occasions where a more traditional approach may be necessary.
Electronic signing exchange options
There are multiple electronic document signing and signing exchanging options open to enterprises employing this swift and efficient option. The first is return via email of the whole document including the signed signature page. The second is return via email of just the completed signature page, while the third is the creation of a dedicated pre-signed signature page prior to completing the confidential document.
Firms using electronic documents signing should remember an important protocol. When you plan to employ electronic signatures, always get approval from all parties involved to ensure that they are prepared and understand the signing method adopted. You must always make it clear to all involved that the document in question does not contain any wet ink signatures.
When might wet ink signing be necessary?
While the number of contracts and agreements covered by electronic signatures is ever expanding, certain documents here in the UK must be completed using a conventional wet ink signature for reasons of legal formality.
As a result, you may require documents to be signed in wet ink for registration purposes. Examples of such instances include leases, transfers and charges, along with any other types of deeds that must be registered at either the Companies Registry or the Land Registry.
Additionally, wet-ink signed documents must also be used in situations where you do not wish to rely on the other parties involved in an agreement to produce originals that are wet-ink signed.
As you can see, there are very few instances where the use of traditional signing methods is a legal requirement. This means that for the most part, firms can avail themselves of the multiple advantages of using electronic signatures to conduct their business transactions instead.
Understanding the advantages of using electronic document signing
While wet ink signatures have been a tried and tested solution for completing and authenticating important documents, electronic signatures offer many additional benefits for businesses. They can save firms time as the process of adding a signature can take mere minutes instead of the hours, days or weeks involved in completing paperwork with ink. Documents are sent via email allowing a swift sign-off from any time or place and on any device instead of signatories having to meet in person or receive then send back complete forms by post.
An entirely electronic process, firms can also save money on postal and courier costs and expensive printing equipment and supplies. Perhaps most importantly, electronic documents signing can add greater security and traceability. Signatories can be authenticated, and all content can be encrypted ensuring no unauthorised entities view, tamper or steal it. All interactions are recorded and tracked, providing proof of legitimacy and legality when required.
Use electronic document signing now
If you require a cutting-edge electronic document signing solution for your firm, you can rely on Galaxkey. Equipped with powerful three-layer encryption and a range of useful tools, our signing feature is second-to-none. Get in touch with our team now and book your free two-week trial.
