Are Electronic Signatures Admissible in Court?
Electronic signatures are commonplace in the business world. They're more convenient and efficient than pen and ink signatures. But can the authenticity of an e-signature be proved like a traditional wet signature?
The short answer: yes, it can. Authenticity is easier to prove, in fact, thanks to built-in digital audit trails.
Let's explore whether electronic signatures hold up in court, how audit trails provide additional protection, and look at recent court rulings that reinforce their legitimacy.
Electronic signatures are admissible in court
In disputes over agreements, courts are sometimes charged with establishing whether a signature is valid and attributing it to the signer, based on an evidentiary burden of proof. Electronic signatures have been validated as an acceptable and legal option for signing documents and proving the authenticity of that signature in court.
In the United States, the legality of electronic signatures has been affirmed by the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act ("ESIGN") and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act ("UETA"). These laws hold that electronic signatures carry the same legal weight as a "wet" signature.
One of the most notable aspects of a digital signature is its digital audit trail. The data captured along with an electronic signature provides more concrete evidence around the authenticity of someone's signature, and thereby their obligations under a contract, making it easier to meet the burden of proof.
E-signatures vs. wet signatures: the benefit of audit trails
Typically for wet signatures, validity and attribution are established by comparing copies of signatures and presenting testimony from handwriting experts or witnesses who were present at the signing. Not only is this expensive and time consuming, it's less reliable due to the human element.
By removing the chance for human error and automating the entire data capturing process, audit trails make it easier to establish authenticity and address disputes over signatures both in state and federal courts.
Audit trails are effective in establishing a signatory because of information they contain. Data establishing IP addresses, date, time and location for when a contract was received, viewed and signed has proven particularly relevant to establishing signature authenticity.
One state case, IO Moonwalkers, Inc. v. Bank of America, went as far as to say that the DocuSign system established an electronic trail of information (send, receipt, signature, review) that wasn't available before the digital age. This suggests that an electronic signature is a more credible method of establishing evidence than a sworn statement of whether an agreement was sent via mail.
Best practices for establishing an e-signature audit trail
All audit trails are not created equal, so how the audit trail is set up is crucial. If done right, there's an amazing amount of case law to support their admissibility in court.
The DocuSign eSignature audit trail includes all the components mentioned in the case law and follows a secure and documented process necessary for court admissibility:
A complete, automated history of every viewing, printing, sending, signing or declining activity, including key event timestamps
Identifying data, such as the signer's IP address or officially affiliated email address
Geolocation of signers, if they agree to share that info
A tamper-evident seal that validates documents haven't been altered outside of each signing event
A court-admissible certificate of completion available to all participants in the transaction
Multiple levels of authentication based on email, access code, SMS, phone, geo-location and more
DocuSign also takes a security-first approach to e-signatures to ensure all audit trails, certificates of completion and customer documents that flow through the DocuSign Agreement Cloud stay safe, secure and unaltered before, during and after signing.
For more on the security of e-signatures in general and what makes them safe, read "Are electronic signatures safe?"
Court support for electronic signature admissibility
Established case law demonstrates that secure, established digital audit trails strengthen a party's position in court as compared to wet signatures, image signatures and less mature e-signature solutions.
For more information on court support for electronic signatures overall and DocuSign eSignature in particular, read:
Using E-Signatures in Court—The Value of an Audit Trail
Court support for electronic signatures in the United States
Electronic signatures and transactions in the United States
Are electronic signatures legal?
To view the original article, visit the DocuSign blog.
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Articles
Seeking a Free E-Signature Tool? Google Might Be the Answer
Last year, Google announced that it was rolling out a new feature in open beta: eSignature for Google Docs and Google Drive. The tool allows users to request and capture eSignatures in Google Docs – no PDF or DocuSign account necessary.
In December, the company had another announcement about its eSignature initiative. The feature is officially out of beta testing and is now available for all Google Workspace Individual customers.
How Does Google eSignature Work?
Adding an eSignature to a Google Doc is easy — if you have access to the feature. Users who do will see an eSignature side panel in their Google Drive interface, which they can use to upload an existing PDF or create or open a Google Doc.
Users can then designate which signers they want to sign the document (up to 10 signers are available, with labels, each assigned a unique color for ease of access), and can add fields including full signature, initials, name, or date signed. You may add up to 200 fields to each document.
Why Can't I See This Feature Yet?
Most users are still not going to have access to Google eSignatures; the feature is currently widely available for any users with a Google Individual Workspace account. Agent solopreneurs who have secured this kind of account will see the tool in their Google Drive.
Other Google users will have to wait to use the tool. If you have a Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus, or Education Plus account, then you're just going to have to be patient until it's ready for your account type. (Google was accepting applications for beta testers in this group in December 2023.)
What Else Is New From Google?
Part of this update also includes the ability to create custom email layouts in Gmail for newsletters, announcements, and other marketing materials. Users can now customize existing templates, reuse their layouts, and more, including a drag-and-drop tool that makes design even easier.
Have you tried the new eSignature offering from Google in your account? What did you think? We'd love to hear from actual users, whether you want to share a rant or a rave!
Related reading
Beware, DocuSign: Google Docs now offers eSignatures
From Gmail to Drive: 25 Essential Google Tips Every Real Estate Agent Should Know
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New Features for Real Estate Professionals in DocuSign eSignature
Technology is playing a growing role in the day-to-day operations of real estate professionals. Modern technology simplifies common steps that have traditionally been quite cumbersome: scheduling appointments, storing documents, hosting virtual home tours, etc. These tools are also proving especially useful in streamlining the forms and documents real estate agents must complete from listing to closing.
Exclusivity agreements, sales contracts and disclosures are just a few of the documents real estate professionals must process for each transaction. Completing heaps of paperwork for each transaction is time-consuming and monotonous. While electronic signature makes some parts of that process simpler, there's a lot of work before and after signature that still needs to be done.
Those other agreement steps limit the amount of time real estate agents could otherwise spend generating leads and supporting the needs of their buyers or sellers. They get even more burdensome if the work is done in separate systems or involves manual work like printing, mailing or scanning.
Real estate professionals can simplify transactions with DocuSign eSignature for Real Estate, an all-in-one solution for agents to do business faster. Whether using a desktop, laptop, tablet or phone, it provides the tools to access and quickly complete state/local association forms, obtain electronic signatures and organize forms in one centralized place.
In this post, we'll share some exciting new capabilities that can be unlocked with eSignature for Real Estate features. These DocuSign tools are built specifically for real estate agents to help them simplify everyday work, spend more time with clients and accelerate deals.
Track the end-to-end process with a dedicated transactions workspace
With a transactions workspace, agents can easily view all transactions and organize all related documents from a centralized hub. This dedicated workspace connects every step (and the documents that track those steps) in a single digital location. With all these forms in a single location, agents have a simpler, more efficient way of negotiating complex series documents.
Cutting-edge agents can use the transactions workspace to simplify access to current state and local association forms. They can prepopulate common data fields and use auto-fill capabilities to quickly pull data from other connected systems and reduce the amount of paperwork that has to be done. With a more uniform process and more information automatically added to forms, the transactions workspace offers real estate agencies a simpler path to compliance and reduces the amount of time spent searching for documents.
Respond to time-sensitive documents faster with a robust mobile experience
Real estate agents are always on the go. If they need to use a desktop or laptop computer to manage agreements, they'll sacrifice time that they could be spending with clients or on-location at their properties. When documents are time-sensitive, they have to make sacrifices to stay tethered to their computers.
A powerful mobile solution is a need-to-have part of the modern agent's toolkit. The DocuSign mobile experience is exactly that; it gives agents the flexibility to work from anywhere. They can use almost any device to create or view any document that is part of any transaction. They can even make updates to envelopes that have already been sent or resume drafts of documents that were started on another device.
The ability to manage documents via smartphone will shorten deal close time and improve the experience of buyers and sellers. Those faster transactions will improve client satisfaction and loyalty. They may even be a competitive edge when it comes to winning clients who expect a buying or selling experience full of modern conveniences.
Streamline common real estate document actions with real estate forms
Whether acquiring new clients or simplifying standard signatures throughout a sale, real estate agents can accelerate deals, reduce errors and spend more time growing their business with real estate forms. With forms for real estate, agents can easily access the following functionality:
Digital form libraries give agents secure access to the most current state and local association forms
Data form fill capability allows agents to enter data once and have it automatically populate across all forms in the same transaction to avoid repetitive data entry
Customized form packets help agents quickly find frequently used forms based on transaction type (such as purchase or sale), which saves time and supports compliance
Preplaced fields on forms save time by using forms with fields that are accurately placed, assigned to the proper recipients and ready to be completed and sent to clients
From listing to sale, REALTORS® can expect to mark their signature dozens of times as well as review stacks of other documents. Common forms they frequently sign throughout the process include:
Purchase and sale agreements
Addendums
Appraisals and disclosures
Inspections
Leasing or rent back contracts
NDAs
Furniture bill of sale
Manage real estate transactions with the all-in-one solution
The robust collection of DocuSign tools for Realtors is a simple way for agents to spend less time on routine paperwork and more time focused on the people and properties they represent. The newest round of updates connects all those tools in a single place to maximize visibility and enhance the mobile experience for agents.
DocuSign offers several real estate-specific plans with pricing to meet your budget. And because we partner with the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) (we're their exclusive eSignature provider), we can offer special pricing for NAR members.
To view the original article, visit the DocuSign blog.
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Products
RightSignature Electronic Signatures
With RightSignature, you can send documents, notify recipients, sign documents electronically, receive notification when signers have signed, and archive signed documents. Features of RightSignature include: Technology neutrality (use any Web-enabled device) Multiple signing options (handwritten signature, type-to-sign, Smartphone mobile signing, tablet signing, sign by fax) Signing webpage branded specifically to you Supports most common file types (include PDF, DOC, DOCX, etc.) Multi-party and sequential signing Reusable templates Document management: a secure archive, notifications, performance statistics, and detailed reports Security and authentication features to ensure that your clients feel confident
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With RightSignature, you can send documents, notify recipients, sign documents electronically, receive notification when signers have signed, and archive signed documents. Features of RightSignature include: Technology neutrality (use any Web-enabled device) Multiple signing options (handwritten signature, type-to-sign, Smartphone mobile signing, tablet signing, sign by fax) Signing webpage branded specifically to you Supports most common file types (include PDF, DOC, DOCX, etc.) Multi-party and sequential signing Reusable templates Document management: a secure archive, notifications, performance statistics, and detailed reports Security and authentication features to ensure that your clients feel confident
HelloSign
HelloSign is a free solution that allows you to sign documents from anywhere, edit documents before sending them, scan documents with your camera, and upload documents to the cloud. It is integrated with some of the services many agents already use, including Dropbox. With HelloSign, you can close deals faster, without sacrificing the legality of the electronic signtures. The solution is flexible, allowing you to sign on the Web or with your iPhone or iPad. Find the mobile solution in the App Store. Talk to HelloSign today to take advantage of unlimited signed documents, unlimited signature requests, and unlimited templates – even for teams.
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HelloSign is a free solution that allows you to sign documents from anywhere, edit documents before sending them, scan documents with your camera, and upload documents to the cloud. It is integrated with some of the services many agents already use, including Dropbox. With HelloSign, you can close deals faster, without sacrificing the legality of the electronic signtures. The solution is flexible, allowing you to sign on the Web or with your iPhone or iPad. Find the mobile solution in the App Store. Talk to HelloSign today to take advantage of unlimited signed documents, unlimited signature requests, and unlimited templates – even for teams.
DocuSign for REALTORS®
Streamline your transactions and create a better experience for home buyers and sellers. DocuSign for REALTORS® PLUS combines the power of eSignatures and DocuSign Transaction Rooms to make it easy for you to keep your transactions organized in the cloud. You can work with anyone, at anytime, from your desktop or mobile device.. Features Include: Document management - Prepare, share, sign, and store documents in the cloud with the solution designed for real estate. Transaction rooms - Stay organized and in control with Transaction Rooms—online workspaces that help you securely manage the documents and participants in your transactions. eSignatures - Easily and securely request, track, and manage eSignatures from your Transaction Rooms. NAR members receive REALTOR® branding. Mobile - Manage your transactions from the palm of your hand. Our apps for iOS and Android help you keep business moving when you are on the go. Security - From encryption to activity logs, proactive notifications to trusted data centers, you can rest easy knowing your critical client data is safe and secure. Integrations - DocuSign for REALTORS® PLUS seamlessly works with other applications and platforms, including zipForm® Plus, and cloud storage solutions such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
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Streamline your transactions and create a better experience for home buyers and sellers. DocuSign for REALTORS® PLUS combines the power of eSignatures and DocuSign Transaction Rooms to make it easy for you to keep your transactions organized in the cloud. You can work with anyone, at anytime, from your desktop or mobile device.. Features Include: Document management - Prepare, share, sign, and store documents in the cloud with the solution designed for real estate. Transaction rooms - Stay organized and in control with Transaction Rooms—online workspaces that help you securely manage the documents and participants in your transactions. eSignatures - Easily and securely request, track, and manage eSignatures from your Transaction Rooms. NAR members receive REALTOR® branding. Mobile - Manage your transactions from the palm of your hand. Our apps for iOS and Android help you keep business moving when you are on the go. Security - From encryption to activity logs, proactive notifications to trusted data centers, you can rest easy knowing your critical client data is safe and secure. Integrations - DocuSign for REALTORS® PLUS seamlessly works with other applications and platforms, including zipForm® Plus, and cloud storage solutions such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
Authentisign/Authentisign2Go
Authentisign is the eSigning solution for real estate professionals, thanks to its ease-of-use, cross-platform functionality and right price point. PC, MAC and iPad Compatible FHA-Approved and ESIGN-Compliant Less Expensive Than Competing Systems Supported with an Always Free Help Line Find out more about Authentisign, part of the One Platform approach by Instanet Solutions.
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Authentisign is the eSigning solution for real estate professionals, thanks to its ease-of-use, cross-platform functionality and right price point. PC, MAC and iPad Compatible FHA-Approved and ESIGN-Compliant Less Expensive Than Competing Systems Supported with an Always Free Help Line Find out more about Authentisign, part of the One Platform approach by Instanet Solutions.
Industry News
DocuSign Launches New AI-Powered ID Verification Solution
New DocuSign feature applies AI to live video selfies to make process more convenient & prevent identity spoofing and deep-fakes
SAN FRANCISCO, July 25, 2023 -- DocuSign today announced the launch of its enhanced identity verification offering, Liveness Detection for ID Verification. Part of DocuSign's Identify portfolio, this new feature uses artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled biometric checks to confirm signers are who they say they are, are physically present at signing and that their IDs are valid.
Identity verification is essential to establishing a trust relationship. Traditionally, it has been a cumbersome, in-person process. Using Liveness Detection for ID Verification, businesses can now easily, securely and remotely prevent the use of fake documents and the use of deep fakes or pre-recordings, as well as prevent identity spoofing. The global solution provides a critical capability for companies adopting identity-proofing as part of their onboarding workflows that improve trust, compliance and simplify the user experience. AI-enabled Liveness Detection for ID Verification delivers on our commitment to provide a secure intelligent agreement process.
"At DocuSign, we don't believe in the false trade-off between either efficiency or risk," said Inhi Cho Suh, DocuSign President of Product & Technology. "We're infusing our entire product suite with AI to provide global customers with frictionless experiences that are smarter, easier and more trusted. Liveness Detection for ID Verification applies the power of artificial intelligence to live video selfies to provide the equivalent of face-to-face security without the inconvenience of showing up in person."
Developed in partnership with Onfido, a global leader in automated identity verification, the new feature is tightly integrated with DocuSign's popular eSignature workflow, eliminating the need for users to use multiple platforms to complete secure agreements. The feature applies AI to live video selfies – taken by signers – to confirm that the signer taking the video matches the photo on their ID and that the face on the provided ID and the face in the selfie video match. Liveness Detection for ID Verification also confirms that there has been no spoofing detected, that the user was not using a fake webcam or an emulator, and that the signer is physically present at the time the video selfie was taken.
"With instances of identity fraud on the rise, it's never been more essential for businesses to ensure that their online customers are who they say they are," said Mike Tuchen, Chief Executive Officer of Onfido. "We're excited to partner with DocuSign, which aligns with our goal of preventing fraud while simplifying the identity verification process for organizations across the globe."
This enhancement to DocuSign's ID Verification solution is another step in the company's use of AI to strengthen its suite of agreement products. DocuSign recently announced the launch of Agreement Summarization, enabled by an integration with Azure's OpenAI Service, which simplifies the document review process by using AI to automatically surface the most critical components of a document, enabling signers to get a better grasp on key information in their agreement before they sign. This allows them to make more informed decisions faster, saving time in the review process.
Pricing and Availability: Liveness Detection for ID Verification is available globally and is offered to all existing ID Verification or ID Verification Premier customers.
About DocuSign
DocuSign redefines how the world comes together and agrees, making agreements smarter, easier and more trusted. As part of its industry leading product lineup, DocuSign offers eSignature, the world's #1 way to sign electronically on practically any device, from almost anywhere, at any time. Today, over 1 million customers and more than a billion users in over 180 countries use DocuSign products and solutions to accelerate the process of doing business and simplify people's lives. For more information visit http://www.docusign.com.
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Adwerx Integrates with DocuSign to Automate Seller Satisfaction Module
Home sellers will automatically experience their home being advertised online
DURHAM, NC, Nov. 8, 2019 -- Adwerx announced a new advertising integration with DocuSign Rooms for Real Estate. The move will extend DocuSign's real estate presence and streamline Adwerx's data entry processes for its clients. With the integration, agents can easily automate the seller satisfaction module of Adwerx advertising, distributing the advertising report to their sellers each day, and increasing the probability that the seller will see the ad for their home advertised on the internet.
"We love collaborating with industry leaders like DocuSign to augment our services and support the success of our customers," said Jed Carlson, CEO of Adwerx. "Our process was already easy, but this integration means there is one less step for agents to share data and deliver value to their clients."
Rooms for Real Estate is DocuSign's digital solution for brokers and agents that streamlines the transaction process. Adwerx's seller satisfaction module allows sellers to see their own home advertised on major websites, social media and apps, and receive reports with the ad's success metrics. Sellers are also given an "easy button" for posting their property to social media, increasing the reach of their listing.
This benefit is available to real estate agents using Adwerx's Automated Listing Advertising Program at no cost, but is often overlooked by agents overwhelmed with the daily tasks required to maintain their business. The efficacy of this service has been proven as sellers are consistently delighted by tangible proof of their agent's marketing efforts.
The integration is now live. For more information on Adwerx please visit adwerx.com, and for DocuSign visit docusign.com.
About Adwerx
Adwerx provides Brilliantly Simple Digital Advertising™ for real estate, mortgage, insurance, financial services, and other businesses. Ads powered by Adwerx have received billions of impressions on social media, mobile platforms, and the most widely read news sites. Adwerx has served over 200,000 customers across the U.S., Canada, and Australia and has been named to the Inc. 5000 list of America's Fastest Growing Private Companies for three consecutive years, as well as received Inc.'s Best Workplaces award. To see how Adwerx can work for you, please visit www.adwerx.com. Plus, NAR members receive 15% additional impressions on Adwerx campaigns, which can be combined with other eligible discounts. This exclusive benefit is available through the National Association of REALTORS®' REALTOR Benefits® Program.
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Companies
Form Simplicity
We Make Real Estate Professionals Smile
Form Simplicity considers itself a smile maker. It’s our pleasure to help thousands of real estate professionals, across the United States, create, manage, share and store real estate transactions hassle free, each and every day.
Transactions All in One Place with AutoFill Forms
Form Simplicity’s transaction management platform helps real estate professionals manage their transactions online from start to finish, all in one place. Users have the option to manage transactions from their desktop computer or mobile device, anywhere, anytime.
Expediting contracts is incredibly easy in Form Simplicity, with its pre-filled forms packages and unique data-population features. Importing data from MLSs and using data synchronization features saves users hours of valuable time by either having information automatically populate or only needing to enter or change data once (the buyer’s name for example). Adding data to real estate contracts in Form Simplicity is a snap.
Easily Share, Negotiate and More in Form Simplicity
Form Simplicity’s easy-to-use design includes the tools real estate professionals want most to help improve productivity. Task management helps users keep track of deadlines. The Contacts tool saves valuable contact information. Unlimited online storage helps ensure state requirements are met. Form Simplicity users may also set up Sharing to allow files and transactions to be viewed by their clients or third parties; giving individuals the capability to type comments right next to the contract online simplifies negotiation status. Another reason to smile!
Plethora of Broker Tools
The Broker Platform is full of additional time-saving broker features, in one central place. Brokers may set up permissions and office assistant settings, view agent transactions, and set up a paperless, automated review and storage of agents’ transactions. All these features in one central place – no need for scanners, printers or even pens!
Secure and Safe eSign Platform
Form Simplicity accelerates the real estate document signing process online and ensure deals close faster for its users. With pre-programmed templates for eSigning and many added features, including electronic signatures, eSign is encrypted with digital signature, secure and legally binding. Real estate professionals trust Form Simplicity’s eSign as eSigned documents remain locked after completion and cannot be tampered with in programs such as Adobe® Acrobat® Pro.Top Notch Support
Support for Form Simplicity is provided by Tech Helpline, the preferred tech support service used by over 600,000 REALTORS®. Tech Helpline provides live support via the phone, online chat and email. Tech Helpline is owned by Florida Realtors®.
Smile – Your Forms are Safe with Form Simplicity
Ultimately, users smile because they know they saved time and money and because their documents are safe and secure with Form Simplicity. Form Simplicity implements the highest standards of security methodologies to ensure users’ documents and information are secure as possible.
Find Out More
Are you staff of a REALTOR® association or MLS?
Find out how you can offer one of the most popular REALTOR® Association member benefits available. As a member benefit, Form Simplicity ensures your members’ real estate contracts are always up to date, using the latest and most secure technology, protecting the privacy and security of your members’ data. Form Simplicity is owned by Florida Realtors, and we understand how important it is to offer the most secure and reliable transaction management platform at a price point that is cost effective for all members. Contact us today for a one-on-one demo.
Are you with a real estate brokerage?
Form Simplicity is the transaction management platform of choice for thousands of brokerages nationwide. If you are interested in a platform that will decrease your brokerage’s transaction management processes’ costs and will help you and your agents go 100% paperless – with eSign, unlimited online storage, and an automated, web-based broker review process, then please contact us for a one-on-one demo today.
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RightSignature
RightSignature is an innovative electronic signature solution that increases document completion rates, cuts expenses, and improves the customer experience with the easiest, fastest way to get documents signed online. Users review documents, fill in form fields, and create an actual, wet-like signature online with a mouse or on the iPhone, iPad, or Android touchscreen. No downloads or installations are necessary and every document is securely stored online in the cloud.
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Digital Delivery Inc
Digital Delivery Inc. provides new lending technology that will allow you to change the way you sign documents. By using digital delivery technology, closings become easier, faster, and more secure for all parties involved.
The focus is on risk management and virtually instant delivery to the secondary market. Investor purchase in 48 hours or less can become a new standard.
We provide a truly electronic mortgage, not just an “e” note. Our UETA-compliant, entirely paperless closings use digital holographic signatures and compliant user authentication. We provide “clickable” MERS registration, investor delivery, as making security instrument filing and stacking order. Settlement agent and other support documents can be uploaded and provided with signature pages. RESPA compliant borrow HUD-1 examination and other closing document review is provided online.
This combines to provide a ‘no surprises’ closings, giving the Borrower a satisfactory closing experience which can lead to consistent customer loyalty. For bank, closings can now occur in your lobby. Using the signing pad is as simple as plugging it into the USB port. Handing over a closing package is as simple as sending an email or handing your customer a flash drive.
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AYIN International, Inc
ON-LINE REAL-TIME AUDIO/VIDEO REMOTE DIGITAL NOTARIZATION
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Webinars
Are You Ready to Get Mobile and Go Paperless?
Were you able to attend our webinar, "Get Mobile and Go Paperless with Cartavi and DocuSign" yesterday? If so, you saw a live demonstration of how easy it is to simplify your real estate business with these two integrated solutions.
If you weren't able to attend, that's okay--we've recorded it for you! Check out our video below to view the entire webinar, then click through to the next page to see our notes and learn how to claim exclusive discounts from Cartavi and DocuSign.
Cartavi helps real estate professionals manage all the documents in their real estate transactions from anywhere, on any device. Its power comes from how it lets you manage your business on the go. If a client calls and needs to see an appraisal document, for example, you can access that document from your smartphone or tablet and instantly share it with them.
Agents can create a "transaction room" for a property and add documents and people (see the example below). The program gives you complete control over who has access to each document.
Not everyone you work with may be comfortable with digital documents. Let's say you work with an attorney who uses faxes. Cartavi's integrated digital fax service allows you to send and receive faxes with just a few clicks on your computer or mobile device. That way all parties are happy--you retain the convenience of being digital and mobile while still being able to work with all parties in the manner they're comfortable with.
Thanks to integration with eSignature platform DocuSign, you can manage any transaction from start to finish from your computer or mobile device. Tag where a document needs to be signed, seal it in an "envelope" and all parties will be able to sign digitally.
You'll never have to struggle to figure out who's signed and who still needs to sign, either--all of this is easily viewed in the transaction room. With DocuSign and Cartavi, everything you need is at your fingertips.
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How Cartavi and DocuSign Can Take Your Service to the Next Level
This morning, hundreds of agents and brokers attended our webinar, "Get Mobile. Get Paperless. Take Your Service to the Next Level with Cartavi and DocuSign." A live demonstration on desktop, tablet, and phone showed attendees how these two integrated solutions can streamline your real estate business.
If you weren't able to make it, no worries--we recorded the webinar for you! Check out our video below to view the entire presentation, then click through to the next page to see our notes and learn how to claim exclusive discounts from Cartavi and DocuSign.
The Cartavi and Docusign partnership empowers real estate professionals to manage all their transactions from start to finish from anywhere, on any device. It can be competitive in today's low inventory market--being responsive is important. If a client calls and needs to see an appraisal document, you can access that document from your smartphone or tablet and instantly share it with them.
Cartavi acts as the hub for the entire transaction. Each property has its own "transaction room" where you can store all related documents and invite all involved parties to join (see the example below). Granular permissions let you choose who sees what document. With Docusign's best-in-class eSignature functionality ported in, you can easily manage a sale from start to close.
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Not All eSignature Platforms are Created Equal
There's been a lot of talk lately about the security of electronic signatures and the legal havoc that using the wrong solution could wreak on your business. That's why we took careful notes when our sister company, the WAV Group, hosted a webinar on this topic last Thursday.
Tom Gonser, CEO of DocuSign, Ken Moyle, DocuSign's Chief Legal Officer, Martin Scrocchi, CEO of Instanet Solutions, and Russ Bergeron, President of MRED joined moderator Marilyn Wilson to help webinar attendees:
Learn how to ensure that electronic signature solutions are legally viable
Better understand how to evaluate electronic signature platforms
Couldn't attend the event? No worries! You can watch the full recording below or read our summary on the next page.
Legal contracts are a critical part of real estate. Real estate professionals need to be sure they're providing tools to customers that protect their clients' interests and well as their own.
It's not always easy to sort out what those tools are, however. A simple search for "electronic signatures" on the App Store or Google Play will yield dozens of results. How can you know which solutions to trust and which to avoid? Knowing what questions to ask and what elements are most important in an eSignature solution is a great place to start.
From a legal standpoint, the following two items are most important:
Identification - How do you match the person with the signature?
Authentication - Once a document is signed, can you demonstrate that it hasn't been tampered with?
We can look to banks to find out more about how to evaluate solutions. Many larger banks now provide requirements or recommendations on the type of support electronic signatures must have to be legally viable within their programs. They want to be able to see the entire "story" of a document--where it's been, who's signed it, and more. This can be accomplished via a certificate of completion, a transaction summary that demonstrates authentication procedures, timestamping, audit trail and more. All of these are evidentiary bits that support the integrity of the transaction in case it is ever challenged.
When researching solutions, if a company's website or other literature doesn't satisfactorily address authentication and data integrity, keep looking. You can run into trouble later if you don't choose wisely.
What Does a Trustworthy Document Look Like?
The webinar concluded with a demonstration of what a trustworthy document looks like. Anytime a document is opened, it's checked for validity. A trustworthy document, like the one below, will be verified as having all signatures valid.
This document, however, has been tampered with, as evidenced by the message near the top of the screen. The sidebar also shows what parts of the document have been changed.
Ready to learn more? These were just a brief overview of points from the webinar. View our recording on page one to listen to advice from our guest experts.
Resources
NAR Field Guide to Electronic Signatures
Bank of America Electronic Signatures Reference Guide
What You Need to Know Now About eSign and Document Security
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Not All eSignature Platforms are Created Equal
There's been a lot of talk lately about the security of electronic signatures and the legal havoc that using the wrong solution could wreak on your business. That's why we took careful notes when our sister company, the WAV Group, hosted a webinar on this topic last Thursday.
Tom Gonser, CEO of DocuSign, Ken Moyle, DocuSign's Chief Legal Officer, Martin Scrocchi, CEO of Instanet Solutions, and Russ Bergeron, President of MRED joined moderator Marilyn Wilson to help webinar attendees:
Learn how to ensure that electronic signature solutions are legally viable
Better understand how to evaluate electronic signature platforms
Couldn't attend the event? No worries! You can watch the full recording below or read our summary on the next page.
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How Cartavi and DocuSign Can Take Your Service to the Next Level
This morning, hundreds of agents and brokers attended our webinar, "Get Mobile. Get Paperless. Take Your Service to the Next Level with Cartavi and DocuSign." A live demonstration on desktop, tablet, and phone showed attendees how these two integrated solutions can streamline your real estate business.
If you weren't able to make it, no worries--we recorded the webinar for you! Check out our video below to view the entire presentation, then click through to the next page to see our notes and learn how to claim exclusive discounts from Cartavi and DocuSign.
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