10th Anniversary of das Nano, the seed of Veridas • Veridas

In a world where contracts, agreements, and decisions move at the speed of a click, the handwritten signature is no longer the cornerstone of trust it once was. Today, identity and intent are proven not with a pen, but with a eSignature.

The rise of the esignature marks a turning point: a shift toward a new kind of digital consent that’s faster, safer, and -when done right- far more secure than its analog ancestor.

But understanding this shift requires more than just clicking “I agree.” What does it mean to sign electronically? How do we ensure the person behind the screen is real? And more importantly, how can we make esignatures legally sound and resistant to fraud?

In this guide, we’ll explore the foundations of esignatures, how to create one, and how technology like biometrics is redefining what it means to sign. Whether you’re a developer, legal officer, or just someone who wants to stop printing contracts, this is your step-by-step journey into the future of signing documents online.

What Is an eSignature?

Definition and Legal Meaning

The concept of an esignature—or electronic signature—is fundamental in the digital age. If you’re asking what is an esignature, you’re tapping into a powerful tool used to digitally formalize contracts, agreements, or approvals.

An esignature represents a person’s intent to agree to a document’s contents through an electronic means. Its legal strength is recognized under major global regulations, such as the eIDAS Regulation in Europe, NOM-151 in Mexico, and the UETA/ESIGN Act in the United States.

A proper esignature does more than simulate a handwritten signature. It guarantees the authenticity of the signer and the integrity of the signed document. This is especially important in sectors such as finance, insurance, public services, and telecommunications, where regulatory compliance is non-negotiable.

At Veridas, we elevate the concept of esignature by combining it with biometric verification. This ensures that every signature is verifiably linked to a real person through facial biometrics, embedding a secure, encrypted vector inside a document. This vector, converted into a biometric QR, can be validated at any point, offering maximum legal security and auditability.

eSignature vs. Digital Signature

The terms “esignature” and “digital signature” are often used interchangeably, but they differ in scope and technology. A general esignature can be a checkbox, a typed name, or a drawn signature used to show consent. It focuses on user intent. A digital signature, by contrast, uses public key infrastructure (PKI) to provide mathematical proof of authenticity and tamper-resistance. It focuses on data integrity.

Veridas merges both worlds: its esignature solutions rely on unique biometric data to ensure signer identity while embedding cryptographic seals that make documents tamper-proof. This makes it ideal for sectors that demand both strong authentication and regulatory compliance.

Why Use eSignatures?

Benefits for Individuals and Businesses

The increasing search volume for terms like esignature services, esignature solutions, and how to make an esignature reflects the growing demand for secure, efficient digital transactions. The benefits are clear for both private individuals and large organizations. An esignature simplifies document workflows, eliminates the need for printing or physical presence, and significantly accelerates time-to-contract.

For individuals, it means convenience—being able to sign documents from a phone, laptop, or tablet, anywhere in the world. For businesses, it enhances operational efficiency, reduces fraud risks, and improves customer experience. Legal, HR, finance, and procurement departments all benefit from faster processing times and better record-keeping.

Veridas’ esignature platform goes a step further by using facial biometric authentication to ensure that the person signing is truly who they claim to be. It eliminates shared passwords, impersonation risks, and signature disputes. In a world increasingly concerned with cybersecurity and compliance, biometric esignatures offer peace of mind.

Are eSignatures Legally Binding?

Yes, eSignatures are recognized as legally binding across Europe, North America, and Latin America when implemented correctly. Validity depends on the ability to prove that:

The signer’s identity is reliably established
The signature is uniquely linked to the signer
The document remains unchanged post-signature
The process is auditable

Veridas ensures legal binding through patented biometric signature technology, compliant with eIDAS (EU), NOM-151 (Mexico), and GDPR.

How to Create an eSignature

The question of how to create an esignature is one of the most searched queries online, and the core answer is simple: by using a secure, user-friendly esignature platform.

At Veridas, creating a legally valid esignature takes only a few steps and can be integrated seamlessly into any customer or employee journey. Our solution can be embedded into websites, mobile apps, or even messaging platforms via XpressID.

Here’s how it works:

Capture the user’s ID and selfie using Veridas onboarding tools with liveness detection.
Generate a biometric vector from the selfie image—fully encrypted and irreversible.
Embed this vector in a biometric QR, which is inserted into the PDF.
Store or share the signed document, which can be verified at any time using a new selfie.

The result is a document securely signed by a real person, whose identity is irrefutably linked to the signature.

Best eSignature Tools & Platforms

With over 1,800 monthly searches for esignature tools, esignature platforms, and best esignature service, users are seeking reliability, ease of use, and compliance. While many providers offer eSign options, only a few—like Veridas—combine user experience with regulatory-grade security.

Veridas provides:

Plug & Play integration via APIs and SDKs
100% proprietary technology (OCR, biometrics, liveness)
Storage-free options (Zero-Data mode)
Compatibility with PDF documents and real-time QR validation
A back-office dashboard (boi-Das) to audit and manage signatures

For companies comparing esignature companies and evaluating the best esignature software, Veridas is an unmatched option—especially in regulated industries that need KYC-compliant signature flows.

Examples of eSignature Use Cases

Real-world applications of esignature show how versatile and impactful this technology can be. Below are several examples:

BBVA Suiza: Uses biometric esignature for opening bank accounts and issuing credit cards remotely.
Mexico’s leading telecommunications company: Enables customers to purchase mobile devices online and sign the agreement with a facial QR signature.
FNMT (Spain’s National Mint): Issues digital certificates using Veridas’ esignature and identity verification platform.
Mutua Madrileña: Customers sign insurance policies and claims digitally with voice and face-based esignatures.
Scotiabank: Onboards customers via esignature in compliance with Mexico’s CNBV regulations.

These examples show that esignature isn’t just for simple contracts—it’s powering high-security, high-volume business operations.

How to Use eSignature

Signing PDFs, Word Files, Contracts, and Forms

You might be wondering how to use esignature in different document types. Veridas makes it simple to apply esignatures to:

Contracts (employment, sales, vendor agreements)
PDF forms (government, tax, medical)
Loan and insurance documents
Consent forms for data processing

Each document is signed by embedding a biometric QR. This QR includes a vectorized facial identity and metadata such as IP address, date, and document hash. It’s tamper-proof and independently verifiable.

Sending and Tracking Signed Documents

Once a document is signed, organizations can:

Distribute it via email, WhatsApp, SMS, or embedded links
Monitor who signed and when, using webhook updates
Export the signed file with its full audit trail (PDF/ZIP)
Re-verify signatures later using a new selfie comparison

Our esignature documents are optimized for compliance, long-term validity, and easy retrieval.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between esignature and digital signature?

An esignature is a broader term covering all types of electronic signing, while a digital signature uses encryption and certificates. Veridas combines both.