One of my clients are requesting an option for esignature on my business service agreement.
I normally just give the client a PDF and they sign it via a software or add in the acrobat signature and return it.
Are there any softwares you would recommend that's free?
I dont want to get a pricey software for just one client.
I suggest you look into DocuSign, they are a fairly standard digital signature in the contract administration space.
I believe they have a free membership which allows 3 signatures a month?
Cheers, J
Under the Corps Act the signature only needs to be one that "identifies the person and indicates the person's intention in respect of the information recorded in the document". For individuals there is no specific rule but its basically the same (unless its a deed, but your agreement wont be a deed)
This can be the normal 'wet ink' signature, an electronic signature (cut and paste a picture of a signature is good enough or even just typing in someone's name) or a digital signature (docusign etc were there is some form of digital verification). If someone signs it and then proceeds to comply with the agreement (for example, sends you instructions) then they have approx 0% chance of later arguing the execution was invalid.
Is the client insisting that you use a digital signature or are they wanting to sign it digitally themselves? Or is it that they want to look at an online form and insert their signature without printing the doc or using a pdf? If the former then they are overthinking it because there is (a) no need to do it that way and (b) why are they concerned about how they sign it, its your risk if the client doesnt sign something correctly and if you are satisfied with how its signed then so should they
All that said, there is docusign free but I think that only allows you to sign, the client would need their own account, there is also https://www.signwell.com/electronic-signature/
Or there is a 30 day docusign trial https://www.docusign.com.au/learn/esign-free
They want to sign it digitally themselves. Agree with everything you've said and thanks for tge resources!
Acrobat Online is free to use: https://www.adobe.com/au/acrobat/online/sign-pdf.html
You can request signatures, eSign etc. Give it a look
Annature have a pay as you go plan that you might be interested. They charge $1.75 plus GST per envelope.