What is a digital signature?

When you send a document, how does the recipient know it genuinely came from you - and hasn’t been altered after sending? A digital signature answers exactly that. It is a verified seal attached to the document that proves two things: the document came from you, and it has not been tampered with since you signed it.

This is different from a signature image or a drawn pad signature. Those are cosmetic - anyone can copy or forge a signature image. A digital signature is mathematically tied to the document. If even a single character changes after signing, the signature is automatically invalidated.

Why it matters for your business

Disputes become rare.

A digitally signed document is evidence. If a client claims they never agreed to the amount or the terms, a signed document is a verifiable, timestamped record of what was agreed and when.

Clients trust you more.

A signed document signals professionalism. Larger clients - especially corporates and government entities - often require signed documents before processing payments or entering agreements.

Faster turnaround.

When a client receives a signed document, there is no ambiguity about what is committed. Fewer follow-ups, fewer delays.

Paperless and permanent.

No printing, no couriering, no scanning. The signed PDF can be downloaded, shared, and independently verified at any time - years later - by opening it in any standard PDF viewer.

Are digitally signed documents legally valid?

Yes - in India and internationally.

In India, electronic and digital signatures on commercial documents are legally recognised and carry the same standing as handwritten signatures. Signed documents with a proper audit trail are admissible as evidence. DSC-signed documents carry the strongest protection - if a signature is ever challenged, the burden of proving it was forged or tampered with falls on the challenger, not on you.

Internationally, authenticated electronic signatures - where identity is verified via OTP or a certificate - are recognised in most countries including the US, UK, EU, and across South and Southeast Asia. They are suitable for cross-border invoices, agreements, and commercial documents.

The two types of Digital Signature on Refrens

Refrens offers two types of digital signature under the Digital Signature option on your documents.

1) Certified eSign - for everyone, no hardware needed

Certified eSign is the most accessible way to add a legally valid digital signature to your documents. No hardware token, no prior registration, no app download required - works from any device, anywhere in the world.

When a signing request is sent, the signer receives a secure link. They first verify their identity via a one-time password (OTP) sent to their email, then sign by drawing, typing, or uploading their signature. The signed PDF is generated with an embedded audit trail - who signed, when, from which device, and the verification record - making it tamper-evident and independently verifiable.

Who should use this:

Any business that wants legally valid signed documents without owning a DSC. Suitable for both Indian and international businesses. Works for signing invoices, quotations, purchase orders, contracts, and most commercial documents.

How to Add a Digital Signature to Your Document using Certified eSign?

2) DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) - for Indian businesses with the highest protection

A DSC is a government-backed certificate issued to individuals or organisations by a Certifying Authority licensed by the Government of India. It is stored on a secure USB hardware token and provides the highest level of digital signature legally available in India.

When signing with a DSC, the hardware token cryptographically signs the document. The private key used for signing never leaves the token. The signed PDF embeds your certificate details, a trusted third-party timestamp, and a certificate validity check - making the signature verifiable independently and permanently.

Legal protection:

DSC provides the strongest legal standing for signed documents in India. It is non-repudiable - meaning the signer cannot later deny having signed, since only they possess the hardware token and its PIN. It is accepted by courts, government portals, MCA, GST, income tax, and statutory filings. If a DSC-signed document is ever challenged in a dispute, the legal presumption is in your favour.

Who should use this:

Indian businesses that already own a Class 3 DSC - typically used for GST filing, MCA submissions, or income tax e-filing. If you do not have a DSC, Certified eSign is the recommended option.

How to Add a Digital Signature to Your Document using DSC?

Which should you choose?

Updated on: 17/06/2026