Electronic signature free It allows you to sign documents without paying for each use on services like gov.br or on platforms that offer a free plan. The difference lies in the purpose: gov.br is geared towards advanced electronic signatures by the citizen themselves, while ZapSign allows you to create workflows with signatories, links, authentications, and tracking.
In practice, "free" doesn't mean all features are unlimited. Public services are free for citizens with a silver or gold account; on ZapSign, a free account allows you to create up to three documents every 30 days. Those who only receive a link to sign don't need to create an account on the platform.
It is also important not to confuse an electronic signature with a simple image of a signature. In Brazil, the legislation distinguishes between simple, advanced, and qualified signatures, and the appropriate level depends on the document, the necessary evidence, and any legal requirements.
Summary
- gov.br offers free advanced electronic signatures for silver or gold accounts.
- ZapSign allows you to create up to three free documents every 30 days.
- At ZapSign, signatories receive a link and don't need an account to sign.
- The visual placement of the signature is optional; evidence may be included in the signature report.
- Electronic signatures can be simple, advanced, or qualified.
- After signing, advanced or qualified files can be checked in VALIDATE, depending on the infrastructure used.
Quick facts
- Free public service: o official service It informs that the gov.br subscription is free and can be used by citizens with a silver or gold account.
- Three subscription levels: a Law No. 14.063 / 2020 It classifies electronic signatures into simple, advanced, and qualified categories.
- ZapSign's free plan: a ZapSign Help Center It indicates a limit of three documents per 30-day cycle.
What is a free electronic signature and when is it valid?
A free electronic signature is a signing process performed without direct charge for that use or within the free limits of a service. It may involve a public portal, a private platform with a free plan, or a specific tool for a particular document format.
In Brazil, validity does not depend on whether the tool is paid or free. What matters is the method used, the identification of the signatory, the integrity of the evidence, and the formalities required for the act.
Electronic signatures can be used, for example, in formalization of contractsBusiness terms, authorizations, and documents. Some actions, however, require a specific procedure or other formality stipulated by law.
One of the platform A signature can also gather authentication, event, and audit records. This is different from stating that every electronic document automatically has the same level of security or validity.
| Free option | Who does it best serve? | Main requirement | How works |
|---|---|---|---|
| gov.br subscription | Citizen who needs to sign their own document. | Silver or gold account | Advanced electronic signature via the gov.br portal or app. |
| ZapSign is free. | Who needs to create and send documents to other people? | Account on the platform for the sender | Up to 3 documents per 30-day cycle; signatories receive links. |
| PDF tool | Specific use in a file | It varies depending on the service. | You can insert a visual signature or offer other features; check the type of signature produced. |
How to create a free electronic signature through gov.br
The federal government offers a free advanced electronic signature for users with a silver or gold gov.br account. The page of Electronic signature for Digital Government It explains the service flow and requirements.
- Access the Electronic Signature Portal or the gov.br app.
- Sign in with a silver or gold account.
- Add the document that will be signed.
- Choose where the signature will appear and select the option to sign digitally.
- Confirm authorization through the app when prompted.
- Download the signed electronic file and keep this version.
The service currently accepts .DOC, .DOCX, .ODT, .JPG, .PNG, and .PDF files up to 100 MB. After signing, the government itself advises downloading the file instead of using the "print" function, because printing does not preserve the electronic signature embedded in the document.
The gov.br signature is classified as advanced. To verify it later, citizens can use the ITI's free VALIDATE service.
There are also private tools specifically designed for PDFs, such as the option for... Sign a PDF fileBefore using any service, check if it only produces a visual mark or an electronic signature with the evidence you actually need.
Why can free electronic signatures optimize management?
For companies that still rely on printing, transportation, and physical filing, electronic signatures can reduce operational steps. The benefit is especially significant when documents circulate between people in different locations or go through multiple approvals.
It is also possible to connect the subscription to other systems. HubSpot integrationFor example, it illustrates how a workflow can be created and tracked within a business tool, reducing manual file exchanges.
💡 Tip! Need a free electronic signature? Click here and create yours now!
Benefits of electronic signature
Reduced costs
When the process no longer requires paper, printing, transportation, and physical storage, these costs can decrease. The actual impact depends on the volume of documents and how much of the process has been effectively digitized.
Process agility
Documents can reach signatories in just a few moments, eliminating the time spent on physical transport. This doesn't mean that every contract will be "instantaneous": reading, negotiation, and approval are still part of the process.
Greater traceability
Depending on the solution, it's possible to record authentications, date and time, status, events, and other evidence of the workflow. Features such as digital stamp A timestamp or stamp can add temporal evidence in specific contexts.
Ease of document management
Electronic files can be organized, searched, and shared without relying on physical filing cabinets or folders. Even so, digital management requires access controls, retention policies, backups, and document organization.
Customer experience improvement
Allowing a person to sign via mobile phone or computer reduces unnecessary travel and steps. The experience tends to improve when the authentication method is proportionate to the risk, rather than adding barriers without a clear benefit.
How to create a free electronic signature in PDF format using ZapSign
To sign and also collect signatures in a Valid identity document, you can use a platform With a free plan. On ZapSign, the sender creates an account, sends the document, adds the signatories, and shares the links.
Today, the free account allows you to create up to three documents every 30 daysSignatories don't need an account: just access the link provided.
The interface may change over time; therefore, some buttons shown in the screenshots below may appear in different positions or with different names in your account. The current workflow boils down to creating the document, adding signatories, positioning fields when necessary, and sending the links.
![[Banner] Legal validity of digital and electronic signatures: definitive guide with expert analysis](https://blog.zapsign.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Banners-para-blog-whitepaper-reducao-de-custos.png "[Banner] How electronic signatures are redefining efficiency and cost reduction in Brazilian companies")
Step 1: access the ZapSign website Log in or create your account.
Step 2: Log in with your credentials or use an access option available on the platform.
Step 3: In the current interface, choose Create document and select the file to be signed.
Step 4: Send the final file. If you need to convert a document to PDF before sending, you can use a converter. like this.
Step 5: Add the name of the person who should sign. To include other people, use the "add signatory" option.
Step 6: If the participants are already registered among your contacts, select them to reuse the available data.
Step 7: If you are also participating in the signing, please include your own name as a signatory before continuing.
Step 8: Position the signature or checkmark if you want the representation to appear at a specific point in the document. This positioning is optional; without it, the signature remains recorded in the signature report.
You can adjust the position and size of the fields as needed before saving.
Step 9: Copy the individual link for each signatory and share it through your desired channel, including WhatsAppYou can also enable automatic sending.
In the automated delivery section, specify the channels and data needed to notify participants.
Step 10: If a sequence is required, enable signature sorting before completing the submission.
Drag the names to define the desired sequence. Those who are later in the order will only be able to complete the signature at the time configured for the workflow.
Step 11: Configure messaging, automatic reminders, and signature deadlines when these features make sense for the document.
Step 12: Finalize the submission and track the status through the dashboard. The platform records which documents are in progress and which participants still need to sign.
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Tips for using free electronic signatures securely.
Check mobile-friendliness
Before choosing a free option or premiumTest the workflow on a mobile phone. The signer should be able to open, read, and complete the document without needing a computer when that is the context of use.
Integrate with other digital services
For recurring transactions, look for a electronic signature platform that connects to the systems already used by the company. Integrations can reduce duplicate registration, manual submission, and scattered filing.
Ensure the legal validity of signatures
Before defining the method, evaluate the legal validity of electronic signatures For the type of document. Additional authentication, logs, and auditing can strengthen the evidence, but do not replace specific formalities required by law.
Use digital certificates when necessary
Some actions or systems require a qualified signature. In these cases, consult the rules regarding... digital certificates and choose a solution that is compatible with ICP-Brasil.
Validate the file when the method allows it.
VALIDAR, maintained by ITI, verifies advanced gov.br signatures, ICP-Brasil qualified signatures, and signatures from officially recognized infrastructures free of charge. It verifies the authorship and integrity of the signature, not the veracity of the content written in the document.
When testing a free solution, first focus on the workflow you need to resolve: signing your own document, collecting signatures from third parties, setting up authentications, or integrating the process with other systems. From there, it becomes easier to choose between gov.br, the free plan, or a paid option.
At ZapSign, you can start with the free trial and assess the need for other features later. Click here to find out more and take a free trial!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
You can use the gov.br signature if you have a silver or gold account, or a platform with a free plan. On ZapSign, the sender can create up to three documents every 30 days, while signatories access the links without creating an account.
It depends on the purpose. gov.br is useful for citizens to sign their own documents with advanced signature capabilities. A platform like ZapSign is more suitable when you need to send documents to other people, track their status, and organize the workflow.
ZapSign offers both free and paid plans. Currently, the free account allows you to create up to three documents per 30-day cycle. Additional features, volumes, and authentications may depend on the plan chosen or consume credits.
You can use gov.br, which accepts PDFs and other formats for silver or gold accounts, or a platform with a free plan. Before choosing, check if you only need to sign the file yourself or collect signatures from third parties.
It may. The fact that the tool is free does not automatically reduce its validity. It is necessary to analyze the signature method, the evidence produced, the acceptance by the parties, and any specific formalities required for the document.
Getúlio Santos is the CEO of ZapSign, a lawyer, technology enthusiast, and entrepreneur.
