Digital vs. Electronic Signatures
Many people use "digital signature" and "electronic signature" interchangeably, but they mean different things:
- Electronic signature — any electronic indication of intent to agree, including a typed name, a checkbox, or a drawing.
- Digital signature — a specific type of electronic signature backed by public-key cryptography and a digital certificate.
DottSign uses digital signatures, which offer a much higher level of security and legal standing.
How It Works
When you sign a document with DottSign, we:
- Generate a unique cryptographic hash of the document content.
- Encrypt the hash using a private key tied to your identity.
- Embed the resulting signature block inside the PDF alongside a public certificate.
Anyone with the public certificate can verify that:
- The signature belongs to you.
- The document has not been modified since it was signed.
Verify Any DottSign Document
You don't need an account to verify a document. DottSign provides a public verification page where anyone can upload a signed PDF and instantly confirm:
- Whether the signatures are authentic and belong to the claimed identities.
- Whether the document has been tampered with after signing.
- Who signed and when.
Visit dottsign.com/verify and upload the PDF — results appear in seconds, no login required.
Why It's More Secure Than a Scanned Signature
A scanned image of your handwritten signature can be copy-pasted into any document. There's no link between the image and the document content — it's just pixels.
A digital signature, on the other hand, is mathematically linked to the exact bytes of the document. Change even a single character and the verification fails.
Legal Standing in Brazil
Digital signatures using ICP-Brasil certificates have the same legal weight as a notarized handwritten signature under Brazilian law (MP 2.200-2/2001). DottSign uses this standard to ensure your contracts are fully enforceable.
When to Use DottSign
DottSign is ideal for:
- Service agreements — freelance contracts, consulting agreements.
- HR documents — employment offers, NDAs, onboarding forms.
- Real estate — lease agreements, purchase proposals.
- Legal documents — any contract where proof of signature integrity matters.
Ready to sign your first document? Create a free account and get started in minutes.