How to electronically sign contracts?

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A electronic signature in contracts has been a resource increasingly adopted by the most diverse companies around the globe. There are numerous advantages over the traditional way.

Therefore, we have prepared this article for you to learn all about the subject and how this type of firm can help you to make agreements in an optimized and safe way. Good reading!

    What is electronic signature?

    The electronic signature essentially consists of using digital tools as a way of replacing the manual signature., so that the most diverse agreements can be signed easily, quickly and safely.

    It is worth remembering that other practices can also be considered electronic signature, such as: biometric recognition, facial reading, token and even login to a personal email.

    That said, it is easy to see the great usefulness of this resource for companies, especially in today's times, when the practice of home office becomes predominant.

    Benefits of electronic signature on contracts

    The use of electronic signature offers a wide range of advantages. We cite the main ones below.

    Reduction of physical material

    As the demands of a company increase, so does its volume of documents. Digitization is essential to prevent that folder or drawer from having to make room for an entire closet, or even an entire room.

    more organization

    By organizing your contracts in a virtual environment, you can access them much more easily than with physical files, especially if you use a electronic signature platform in your company. These tools have their own resources for storing and consulting documents in the cloud.

    Greater agility in processes

    The traditional signature process, by its very nature, does not offer so much agility, since it requires the presence of all those involved, or that the document be sent by motoboy, mail or carrier.

    The electronic signature, however, allows the online document be sent by any communication tool, which includes email and even WhatsApp, allowing contracts to be signed instantly, regardless of distance.

    Cost reduction

    By implementing digital documentation in your company, you cut a whole series of unnecessary expenses that, unfortunately, we end up getting so used to that, many times, we don't even realize that they could be avoided.

    Scope of hiring

    The electronic signature of contracts potentially expands your company's range of contracts, as it eliminates the physical presence of those involved.

    In times of remote work, the tool makes it much easier to hire professionals from all over the world. The same goes for clients, who, faced with the possibility of waiting less for the end of a negotiation, will naturally opt for your service.

    How electronic signature is applied to online contracts

    To carry out contracts online, the electronic signature must be applied through a special platform for this type of service

    When registering, you can invite your signatories to sign the document: everything is done with the simple click of a button and with the same legal security as contracts made on paper, as we will see below.

    Which electronic signature is legally valid?

    Brazilian law provides that even oral agreements have legal validity, as long as there are one or more witnesses present at the time.. It could not, therefore, be different for electronic signatures, so that all have legal validity.

    the articles 104 e 107 of the Brazilian Civil Code establish that any type of contract is valid as long as it maintains its integrity, authenticity and is not modified after the parties have already reached a consensus.

    Furthermore, MP 2.200-2/2001 establishes the legal guarantee of the electronic signature, as it enables the use of means that prove the authorship and integrity of electronic documents.

    The three types of electronic signature

    There are three electronic signature types existing: simple, advanced and qualified.

    simple electronic signature

    This type allows the document signer to be identified, in addition to attaching or associating data in electronic format.

    Biometrics and facial recognition devices are good examples.

    Advanced electronic signature

    This makes use of certificates not issued by ICP-Brasil or other means that prove the authorship and integrity of documents in electronic format.

    This is the case with online signature platforms that have their own resources to prove that the signature was actually carried out by a particular person.

    Qualified electronic signature

    Refers to those who use digital certificate issued by ICP-Brasil, which is the body behind the certification authorities – entities that, using a cryptographic system based on digital certificates, ensure the identity and authenticity of an electronic signature user.

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    How to electronically sign contracts using ZapSign: step by step

    Electronic signature on contracts is quite simple. Next, we will show you a step-by-step guide on how to proceed with the ZapSign platform.

    Step 1: Upload the document to the platform

    First, the document must be saved in .pdf format. If you have saved it in another format, convert the file before starting the procedure.

    If it is on Google Drive, go to “File / Download / PDF Document”.

    If it is saved on your computer, go to the platform dashboard, click on “+NEW” and on “Select document” to submit a new document.

    electronic signature on contracts

    Step 2: Determine the signatories

    After entering the full name of your signatories, click on “continue”, unless you want to use the advanced authentication feature.

    The platform will require the signer's name, email, authentication method, phone number and role. It is also possible to require a selfie and identity document.

    You will then have the option to position the signature field according to your preference. If you want to keep it as is, ignore it and move on.

    electronic signature on contracts

    Step 3: Send the subscription link

    A link will be generated, which you must send to your signatories. You can also check the “I want ZapSign to send the signature links to signers” option so that everyone receives the link via email.

    electronic signature on contracts

    By clicking on the link, signatories will see a new screen. There, they must enter name, email and phone number. After agreeing to the privacy policy, nothing more needs to be done: the electronic signature was completed easily!

    Now that you know the advantages of electronic signature in contracts, We invite you to discover the ZapSign platform by clicking here!

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