Simple electronic signature (SES)
A simple electronic signature (SES) is the basic level of electronic signature under eIDAS: data in electronic form that a person attaches to or links with a document to sign it, such as a typed name, a drawn signature or an I agree click.
Updated November 5, 2026 · 1 min read
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Why it matters
Most business documents are signed this way, in the EU and elsewhere. Article 25 of eIDAS says a simple signature can't be refused as evidence just because it's electronic. US law has no levels at all: under the ESIGN Act and UETA, an electronic signature counts when the person meant to sign. The catch is proof, because a simple signature is only as strong as the evidence of who made it.
An example
A landscaping company emails a seasonal contract. The customer opens the link, agrees to sign electronically and draws their signature with a finger. That's a simple electronic signature, and the email address, time and IP address logged with it are what make it convincing later.
In SignMaster
Every SignMaster signature, drawn or typed, is a simple electronic signature. Each is backed by an audit trail, a recorded consent and a certificate of completion listing who signed, when and from which IP address. Add an access code when you want a second check on who opened the link.
Questions? Answers.
Is a simple electronic signature legally binding?
For most contracts, yes, in the US and the EU. Wills and some real estate and court documents have their own signing rules, so check before you send one.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 (eIDAS), Articles 3, 25 and 26 (EUR-Lex) · eur-lex.europa.eu
- 15 U.S.C. § 7006, ESIGN Act definitions (govinfo) · govinfo.gov