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E-signature law checker

In the nine places we checked, an electronic signature is accepted for ordinary contracts, but wills, powers of attorney and property transfers are often not covered by the e-signature law or need extra steps. Choose a country and document type to see what the law says, the source we read, and the date. This is information, not legal advice.

Generally accepted

Information only, not legal advice.

ESIGN 7001(a): for transactions in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, a signature or contract may not be denied legal effect solely because it is electronic. No one is required to accept e-signatures (7001(b)(2)).

Law: ESIGN Act 2000 (15 USC 7001, 7003) and the state UETA laws

Caveats: State rules differ and were mostly not read. UETA applies only when the parties agreed to deal electronically (not read). Some kinds of agreement have their own rules, so check before relying on a green answer.

Source: law.cornell.edu, read 13 October 2026.

Ask a lawyer in the country that applies before relying on any answer.

All countries at a glance

Read on 13 October 2026 from national legislation and official guidance. Information, not legal advice. Open the checker above for the law, the caveats and the source behind each answer.

  • United States

    ESIGN Act 2000 (15 USC 7001, 7003) and the state UETA laws

    Ordinary contract
    Generally accepted
    Employment contract
    Generally accepted †
    Real-estate transfer
    Not established, ask a lawyer
    Will
    Not covered by the e-signature law (other law decides)
    Power of attorney
    Not established, ask a lawyer
    Court filing
    Not established, ask a lawyer

  • European Union

    eIDAS Regulation (EU) 910/2014, as amended by 2024/1183

    Ordinary contract
    Generally accepted
    Employment contract
    Not established, ask a lawyer
    Real-estate transfer
    Not established, ask a lawyer
    Will
    Not established, ask a lawyer
    Power of attorney
    Not established, ask a lawyer
    Court filing
    Not established, ask a lawyer

  • United Kingdom (England and Wales)

    Electronic Communications Act 2000 s7 (an evidence rule); UK eIDAS; Law Commission report (2019)

    Ordinary contract
    Generally accepted
    Employment contract
    Not established, ask a lawyer
    Real-estate transfer
    Needs a stronger signature or extra formality
    Will
    Needs a stronger signature or extra formality
    Power of attorney
    Needs a stronger signature or extra formality
    Court filing
    Not established, ask a lawyer

  • Canada (federal law, with Ontario and BC as examples)

    PIPEDA Part 2 (federal laws only); Ontario Electronic Commerce Act 2000; BC Electronic Transactions Act

    Ordinary contract
    Generally accepted
    Employment contract
    Generally accepted †
    Real-estate transfer
    Not established, ask a lawyer
    Will
    Not covered by the e-signature law (other law decides)
    Power of attorney
    Not covered by the e-signature law (other law decides)
    Court filing
    Not established, ask a lawyer

  • Australia

    Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (Cth) s8 and s10

    Ordinary contract
    Generally accepted
    Employment contract
    Generally accepted †
    Real-estate transfer
    Not established, ask a lawyer
    Will
    Not established, ask a lawyer
    Power of attorney
    Not established, ask a lawyer
    Court filing
    Not established, ask a lawyer

  • India

    Information Technology Act 2000 (ss3, 3A, 5, 10A and the First Schedule)

    Ordinary contract
    Generally accepted
    Employment contract
    Generally accepted †
    Real-estate transfer
    Not covered by the e-signature law (other law decides)
    Will
    Not covered by the e-signature law (other law decides)
    Power of attorney
    Not covered by the e-signature law (other law decides)
    Court filing
    Not established, ask a lawyer

  • United Arab Emirates

    Federal Decree-Law No. 46 of 2021 on Electronic Transactions and Trust Services

    Ordinary contract
    Generally accepted
    Employment contract
    Not established, ask a lawyer
    Real-estate transfer
    Not established, ask a lawyer
    Will
    Not established, ask a lawyer
    Power of attorney
    Not established, ask a lawyer
    Court filing
    Not established, ask a lawyer

  • Saudi Arabia

    Electronic Transactions Law, Royal Decree M/18 (2007)

    Ordinary contract
    Generally accepted
    Employment contract
    Generally accepted †
    Real-estate transfer
    Not established, ask a lawyer
    Will
    Not established, ask a lawyer
    Power of attorney
    Not established, ask a lawyer
    Court filing
    Not established, ask a lawyer

  • Pakistan

    Electronic Transactions Ordinance 2002

    Ordinary contract
    Generally accepted
    Employment contract
    Generally accepted †
    Real-estate transfer
    Not covered by the e-signature law (other law decides)
    Will
    Not covered by the e-signature law (other law decides)
    Power of attorney
    Not covered by the e-signature law (other law decides)
    Court filing
    Not established, ask a lawyer

† Inferred from the absence of an exclusion in the cited text. Not confirmed.

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Questions

Is this legal advice?
No. It summarises what primary legal sources say, on the date shown. For anything important, ask a lawyer in the country that applies.
Where does the information come from?
National legislation and official government guidance, read on 13 October 2026. Each answer links to the source we read.
What does Not established, ask a lawyer mean?
We could not confirm the rule from a primary source, so we do not give an answer.
Do these rules change?
Yes. Laws and registry practice change, so each answer shows the date it was read. We review them every three months.