Electronic signature authentication: 10 ways to validate your signature
Electronic signatures have become a standard part of how businesses send, sign, and manage agreements. But as adoption grows, so does the need to validate that a signature is legitimate, secure, and defensible. Since digital signatures often use a stylized font rather than a person’s actual handwriting,how does the industry cryptographically authenticate the e-signature was created by the intended person and not an unauthorized user?
Whether you’re finalizing a contract, approving a statement of work, or onboarding a new hire, knowing how to authenticate and verify an electronic signature is essential to building trust in digital transactions.
When we discuss validation in this context, we’re not just referring to placing a signature on a document. Validation means confirming who signed, how they were authenticated, and whether the document remained intact throughout the signing process. These elements work together to support electronic signature verification and reduce the risk of fraud, disputes, or delays.
In this guide, we’ll walk through 10 practical ways to authenticate electronic signatures, from basic methods used for low-risk agreements to more advanced approaches designed for sensitive or regulated transactions.
Key takeaways
Electronic signature authentication helps confirm a signer’s identity and reduce the risk of fraud or disputes.
Authentication and electronic signature verification serve different roles but work together to support trusted digital agreements.
Common authentication methods include email verification, SMS codes, multi-factor authentication, ID verification, and digital certificates.
Choosing the right level of authentication helps balance security with a smooth signing experience.
How are electronic signatures authenticated?
This step happens before or during the signing experience and forms the foundation for trust in any digital agreement. Electronic signature authentication is the process of confirming that the person signing a document is who they claim to be at the moment of signing. Without authentication, an electronic signature may exist—but its legitimacy can be difficult to prove.
At a high level, eSignature authentication relies on one or more signals to establish identity. These signals can range from simple methods, such as confirming access to an email address, to more robust approaches that involve identity checks, multi-factor authentication, or cryptographic verification. The right method depends on:
The risk level of the document
The relationship between parties
The consequences if the agreement is challenged
Solutions like Docusign’s eSignature are designed to support multiple authentication options, allowing organizations to apply the appropriate level of security without overcomplicating the signing experience.
Esignature verification vs. authentication
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, authentication and verification serve different purposes in the signing process.
Authentication focuses on identity. It answers the question: Who is signing this document right now? Methods like email confirmation, SMS codes, or digital signature authentication help establish that the signer is legitimate at the time of signing.
Verification, on the other hand, happens after the document has been signed. It answers a different question: Is this signed document authentic and unchanged? Electronic signature verification involves reviewing the signing record, confirming how the signer was authenticated, and ensuring the document hasn’t been altered since completion.
Understanding this distinction matters because authentication enables verification. Strong authentication creates reliable evidence that can later be reviewed, validated, and trusted—whether for internal approval, compliance checks, or dispute resolution.
How to verify an electronic signature
Verifying an electronic signature means confirming that a signed document is legitimate and hasn’t been changed since it was completed. Start by reviewing the signing summary or certificate of completion, which shows who signed the document, when each action occurred, and which eSignature authentication method was used.
Next, look for signs that the document’s integrity has been preserved. Many electronic signature solutions apply tamper-evident protections that make post-signing changes visible. If signer details, timestamps, or authentication information don’t align, it’s best to pause and investigate before relying on the agreement. These quick checks help reduce risk and ensure the document can be trusted.
10 ways to authenticate electronic signatures
Not every agreement carries the same level of risk, which is why electronic signature authentication isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some documents only require basic confirmation that a signer can access an email address, while others demand stronger identity checks to support compliance, help prevent fraud, or protect sensitive information. Choosing the right approach means balancing security, usability, and the importance of the transaction.
1. Email verification
Email verification is one of the more widely used methods for electronic signature authentication. It works by sending a secure signing link to the signer’s email address, which they must access in order to review and sign the document. The assumption is simple: if only the intended recipient has access to that inbox, opening the link helps confirm their identity at a basic level.
This method is best suited for low-risk agreements, such as internal approvals or routine business documents, where speed and ease of use matter more than heightened security. While email verification alone may not meet the requirements for sensitive or regulated transactions, it often serves as a foundational layer of eSignature authentication. This is especially true when it’s paired with stronger methods for higher-risk use cases.
2. SMS or phone verification
SMS or phone verification adds an extra layer of assurance by requiring the signer to enter a one-time passcode sent to their mobile device. After opening the signing link, the signer must confirm possession of the phone number associated with the agreement, which helps reduce the risk of unauthorized access if an email account is compromised.
This method is commonly used for medium-risk documents that require stronger identity confirmation without introducing too much friction. It’s a practical step up from email-only authentication and is often used for customer agreements, financial authorizations, or external contracts where additional confidence in the signer’s identity is needed.
3. Access codes
Access codes require the signer to enter a pre-shared password or PIN before they can view or sign a document. Unlike email or SMS verification, the code is typically delivered outside the signing workflow, such as over the phone or through a secure internal channel, adding a layer of separation that can help protect against unauthorized access.
This method works well for confidential agreements shared with known parties, such as internal contracts or repeat vendors. While access codes don’t independently prove identity, they are an effective eSignature authentication method when combined with other controls and when both parties already have an established relationship.
4. Knowledge-based authentication (KBA)
Knowledge-based authentication verifies a signer’s identity by asking a series of personal questions derived from public or proprietary records. These questions are designed to be difficult for anyone other than the intended signer to answer correctly, adding a stronger layer of identity assurance.
KBA is often used for financial documents or higher-value agreements where additional confidence is required. While it introduces more friction than basic methods, it can be an effective option when in-person verification isn’t possible and stronger electronic signature verification is needed.
5. Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Multi-factor authentication combines two or more verification methods to confirm a signer’s identity. For example, a signer may need to access a document via email and then enter a one-time code sent to their phone. By layering authentication factors, MFA significantly reduces the risk of impersonation.
In fact, as part of their 10 recommendations for the , the top priority is about managing cyber risk—specifically by enforcing hygiene standards like MFA. The report confirms that modern multi-factor authentication can reduce the risk of identity compromise by more than 99%.
This approach is well-suited for high-security or sensitive transactions, such as agreements involving financial data, intellectual property, or regulated workflows.
6. Government-issued ID verification
Government-issued ID verification requires signers to upload an official form of identification—such as a driver’s license or passport,which is then reviewed and validated. This method provides a high level of confidence by tying the signature to a verified identity document.
It’s commonly used for legal agreements, employment documents, and regulated industry workflows where identity assurance is critical. While more involved than other methods, ID verification strengthens digital signature authentication for transactions where accuracy and accountability are critical.
7. Biometric authentication
Biometric authentication verifies identity using unique physical or behavioral traits, such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or voice patterns. Because these traits are difficult to replicate, biometrics offer a very high level of security during the signing process.
This method is often used in mobile-first or high-assurance scenarios, where convenience and security must work together. Biometric authentication can enhance electronic signature authentication, especially when paired with secure devices and trusted applications.
8. Digital certificates (PKI)
Digital certificates use public key infrastructure (PKI) to cryptographically bind a signer’s identity to their signature. This process ensures both identity verification and document integrity, making it clear if a signed document has been altered after completion.
PKI-based digital signature authentication is commonly required in regulated industries, government filings, and cross-border transactions. It provides one of the highest levels of assurance available and plays a key role in differentiating digital signatures from more general electronic signatures.
9. IP address and geolocation tracking
IP address and geolocation tracking capture contextual data about where and how a signing event occurred, including device type and approximate location. While this information doesn’t authenticate identity on its own, it adds valuable context to the signing record.
This method is best used as supplementary evidence, supporting other authentication techniques. It can help identify anomalies, support investigations, and strengthen overall electronic signature verification when questions arise.
10. Video-based identity verification
Video-based identity verification confirms a signer’s identity through a live video call or recorded verification session. The signer may be asked to present identification or complete specific actions, creating a strong link between the individual and the signing event.
This approach is typically reserved for high-stakes agreements, remote notarization, or onboarding scenarios where in-person verification isn’t feasible. Video verification delivers one of the highest levels of assurance and is often used when legal or regulatory requirements demand additional safeguards.
Choosing the right authentication method
Choosing the right approach to electronic signature authentication comes down to applying the appropriate level of security for each agreement. The goal is to balance trust, efficiency, and usability. Not every document requires the same safeguards, and over-securing low-risk agreements can slow down workflows without adding meaningful protection.
When deciding which authentication method to use, consider the following factors:
Document risk level: Low-risk documents, such as internal approvals, may only require basic authentication. Higher-risk agreements tied to financial, legal, or regulatory outcomes typically need stronger identity verification.
Type of signer: Employees, existing partners, and first-time external signers often require different levels of assurance. The less familiar the signer, the more important authentication becomes.
Sensitivity of the information: Agreements involving personal data, payment details, or intellectual property benefit from stronger controls like multi-factor authentication or identity verification.
User experience considerations: Stronger authentication adds security, but also friction. The right method protects the agreement without creating unnecessary barriers to completion.
Likelihood of review or challenge: If an agreement may be audited, reviewed internally, or disputed later, stronger authentication helps support reliable electronic signature verification.
By matching authentication strength to the importance of the agreement, organizations can help protect their transactions while keeping signing experiences fast and straightforward.
How Docusign can ensure secure signature authentication
Secure electronic signatures depend on more than just a single authentication method,they require flexibility, consistency, and controls that adapt to different agreement types. Docusign eSignature is designed to support a range of authentication options, allowing organizations to apply the right level of identity verification based on document risk, signer context, and business requirements.
Rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all approach, Docusign enables teams to tailor authentication for each workflow. You can apply basic methods for everyday agreements, stronger verification for sensitive transactions, and advanced options when higher assurance is required—all while maintaining a consistent signing experience. This flexibility helps support reliable electronic signature verification without slowing down agreement completion.
As part of Docusign’s broader Intelligent Agreement Management (IAM) platform, authentication also fits into end-to-end agreement workflows. Identity checks, signing events, and document integrity are captured automatically, helping organizations manage agreements with confidence from creation through completion. Built-in security standards and compliance certifications further support trust in digital transactions at scale.