SimplSign FAQ

Are SimplSign e-signatures legally binding?

Electronic signatures may be legally valid in many jurisdictions, including Australia, the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, depending on the document type, circumstances, and applicable law.

SimplSign provides a technical platform for collecting electronic signatures. We do not provide legal advice, determine whether a document is suitable for electronic signing, verify signer identity or authority, or guarantee that any signature will be legally binding or enforceable.

Laws governing electronic signatures vary by jurisdiction and may exclude certain document types or impose additional requirements. You are responsible for determining whether electronic signatures are appropriate for your specific use case and comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Signed documents include a technical audit record and optional cryptographic timestamping. These records are provided for informational and evidentiary purposes only and do not guarantee legal validity, enforceability, or acceptance by any court, regulator, or third party.

How does SimplSign pricing work?

SimplSign uses a pay-per-document pricing model. There are no subscriptions, no recurring fees, and no obligation to continue using the service.

You are charged only when you choose to send a document for signing.

What's Included

• Unlimited pages per document
• Up to 8 signers per document
• Full audit trail with timestamps and IP addresses
• FreeTSA timestamp certification
• 48-hour document download window
• Email notifications for all parties

Typical flow:

1. Enter sender details and add up to 8 signers
2. Upload a PDF document
3. Place signature fields
4. Pay the one-time fee
5. Signers receive email invitations

No hidden fees, no account required. If you do not complete a signing request, no charge is incurred.

Can I sign a document without creating an account?

Yes. SimplSign does not require signers to create an account.

When a document is sent:

• Each signer receives a unique access link via email
• The link allows the signer to view and sign the document
• Signatures are drawn using a mouse, finger, or stylus
• No registration or application download is required

The document sender is also not required to create an account. Responsibility for managing and retaining completed documents rests with the sender once the signing process is complete.

What is FreeTSA timestamp certification?

SimplSign supports optional cryptographic timestamping using FreeTSA, a public RFC 3161-compliant timestamp authority.

When enabled:

1. A cryptographic hash (SHA-256) of the signed PDF is generated
2. The hash is submitted to FreeTSA
3. FreeTSA returns a signed timestamp token
4. The token is embedded in the PDF

This timestamp provides cryptographic evidence of when the document hash existed at a specific point in time. It does not verify signer identity, intent, authority, or legal validity of the document.

Timestamping is provided as a technical feature only and does not constitute legal certification, notarisation, or proof of enforceability. Acceptance and evidentiary weight are determined by applicable law and the discretion of courts or authorities.

How long are documents stored?

SimplSign stores documents only for the purpose of completing the signing workflow.

• Completed documents are available for download for 48 hours after all signatures are collected
• A reminder email is sent before the download link expires
• After 48 hours, documents are permanently deleted from our servers

SimplSign does not provide long-term document storage. You are responsible for downloading, storing, and backing up your completed documents.

What file types and sizes are supported?

SimplSign currently supports PDF documents only.

• Maximum file size: 10 MB
• Maximum signers per document: 8
• Supported fields: Signature, Name, Date/Time

Other document formats must be converted to PDF before upload. Compatibility with specific PDFs may vary depending on structure and content.

Is SimplSign secure?

SimplSign applies reasonable technical and organisational measures designed to protect data during the signing process. However, no online service can guarantee absolute security.

Data Transmission & Storage

• Encrypted connections (HTTPS/TLS)
• Temporary encrypted storage during signing
• Automatic deletion after completion window

Access Controls

• Unique access tokens per signer
• Token expiration options (7, 14, or 30 days)
• PIN-protected status tracking for senders

Audit Records

• System-generated event logs (timestamps, IP addresses, user agents)
• Audit records are informational and may not capture all factors relevant to legal disputes

Security features are provided on an "as-is" basis and do not guarantee prevention of unauthorised access, misuse, or data loss.

How does SimplSign compare to other e-signature services?

SimplSign offers a unique pay-per-use model that differs from subscription-based competitors like DocuSign and Adobe Sign.

SimplSign is best for: Occasional signers, small businesses, freelancers, individuals, and anyone who wants to avoid monthly subscription fees.

DocuSign/Adobe Sign are better for: High-volume enterprise users who need advanced workflow automation, templates, and integrations.

Can I use SimplSign for contracts?

Yes, you can use SimplSign to collect electronic signatures on contracts. However, you are solely responsible for determining whether electronic signatures are legally valid and enforceable for your specific contract type and jurisdiction.

SimplSign is a technical platform that facilitates the collection of electronic signatures. We do not:

• Provide legal advice
• Verify the legality of your documents
• Guarantee that signatures will be legally binding
• Assess whether e-signatures are appropriate for your contract

Some contracts may require wet ink signatures, notarisation, witnesses, or other formalities depending on your jurisdiction and the nature of the agreement (e.g., wills, property transfers, certain government forms).

We recommend consulting with a legal professional if you are unsure whether electronic signatures are appropriate for your contract. SimplSign provides an audit trail and optional timestamp certification to support the evidentiary value of signed documents.

What is ID Upload and how does it work?

ID Upload is an optional feature that allows document senders to request signers to photograph their identity document before signing. This is intended to provide additional evidence of signer identity for the sender's records.

Important Disclaimers

• SimplSign does not verify, validate, or authenticate any identity document
• We do not check whether the ID is genuine, current, or belongs to the signer
• We do not perform facial recognition or document analysis
• The ID photo is simply captured and included in the audit trail as submitted
• This feature does not constitute identity verification, KYC, or any form of certification

Supported ID Types

• Driver's licence
• Passport

How It Works

1. Sender enables "Require ID Upload" when creating the document
2. Signers see a QR code on the signing page (desktop) or a camera button (mobile)
3. A mobile phone with a camera is required to capture the ID photo
4. Desktop users scan the QR code to open the camera on their phone
5. The signer photographs their ID using the guided camera interface
6. Once uploaded, the signer can proceed to sign the document
7. The ID photo appears in the document's audit trail

Data Handling & Privacy

• ID photos are converted to black and white and compressed before storage
• All ID photos are permanently deleted 48 hours after document completion, along with all other document data
• We do not retain, sell, or use ID photos for any other purpose
• Signers are advised to review the document and sender before uploading personal identification

The sender is responsible for determining whether ID collection is appropriate, lawful, and proportionate for their use case. SimplSign provides this as a technical feature only.

General Notice

The information provided in this FAQ is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. You should obtain independent legal advice regarding the use of electronic signatures and the enforceability of any document.