Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce (E-SIGN) Act


The E-SIGN Act validates the use of electronic records and signatures in interstate commerce.

  • enacted June 2000
  • designed to facilitate and promote e-commerce
  • does not affect fundamental contract law principles
  • allows contracting parties to use electronic records to satisfy any laws that require a contract be written
    • is technology neutral
  • forbids any state or federal statute from requiring that a specific technology be used for electronic transactions in interstate commerce
  • specifically states that it does not preempt state laws based on the UETA
  • does not preempt state laws that are similar to the UETA
  • State laws that are significantly different from the UETA and E-SIGN are preempted by E-SIGN