How-to guide
How to Create a Digital Signature
"Digital signature" and "electronic signature" get used interchangeably, but they're not quite the same thing. Here's the difference — and how to actually get a document signed today.
Digital signature vs. electronic signature
A digital signature is a specific cryptographic technique — it uses a certificate and a private key to mathematically bind a signature to a document, usually issued by a certificate authority. An electronic signature is the broader legal term: any electronic sound, symbol, or process a person uses to indicate they agree to sign, recognized by laws like the U.S. ESIGN Act and UETA, and the EU's eIDAS regulation.
In everyday use, "create a digital signature" almost always means the second thing — getting a legally valid signature on a document without printing, signing by hand, and scanning it back in. That's what Docracy does: a simple electronic signature (SES) with a timestamped, tamper-evident audit trail, not a certificate-based cryptographic signature.
For the full legal breakdown of what tier of signature you actually need, see our complete electronic signature guide
Create a signature in under a minute
- Upload the PDF you need signed (or paste a Google Docs link), or start from a free template.
- Place a signature field (and date, initials, or text fields if needed) anywhere on the document.
- Add the signer's email — or your own, if you're signing it yourself.
- Send it. The signer opens the link, draws or types their signature, and everyone gets the completed, signed PDF by email.
What actually happens when you sign
Every view, consent, and signature is timestamped with IP address, user-agent, and a cryptographic hash of the document at that moment. When the chain completes, everyone gets the signed PDF plus a certificate of completion summarizing that trail — this is what makes the signature legally meaningful, not the visual squiggle itself.
Frequently asked questions
Is a typed or drawn signature legally valid?
Yes, in most jurisdictions, under laws like the U.S. ESIGN Act, UETA, and the EU's eIDAS regulation — what makes it valid is the signer's consent and intent plus a retainable record, not the specific visual style of the signature.
Do I need to create an account to sign something?
No — Docracy's free flow needs no account for chains of up to 2 signers. Create a free account only if you want a dashboard, templates, or team features later.
Is this the same as a "digital signature" with a certificate?
Not exactly — Docracy provides simple electronic signatures (SES), not certificate-based cryptographic digital signatures. For most everyday business documents (NDAs, offer letters, service agreements) SES is what the law actually requires. If your specific document needs a certificate-based or Qualified Electronic Signature (QES), use a compliance-grade QTSP provider instead.
Can I sign on my phone?
Yes — the signing page works in any mobile browser, no app download required.
Read the complete electronic signature guide · Trust & security
Ready to sign your document?
Create a signature now →