How to Create a Digital Signature

Digital signatures are no longer just for tech-savvy professionals or government officials.

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Today, anyone who needs to sign a contract, NDA, invoice, or agreement can do it in a few clicks — without printing anything. Here's everything you need to know.

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What’s a Digital Signature?

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A digital signature is like your regular handwritten signature — but better. It’s a secure, encrypted way to prove that a document hasn’t been tampered with and that you’re the one who signed it.

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Behind the scenes, digital signatures use public-key cryptography. But all you really need to know is this: it's fast, legally recognized, and much harder to fake than your scribble on a piece of paper.

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What Can You Sign?

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Pretty much document’s formats you’d normally sign with a pen. That includes:

• Business contracts
• Agreements with freelancers
• Job offers
• Sales contracts
• Invoices
• NDAs
• Rental documents
• Internal approvals
  
  

If it’s a PDF or a DOCX, you can add a digital signature to it. You can even create a digital signature directly inside a browser — no downloads needed.

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Tools You Can Use

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There’s plenty of digital signature software. Some of the most popular platforms include:

• DocuSign
• Adobe Sign
• HelloSign
• SignNow
• PandaDoc
  
  

But here’s the thing: most of them are either paid or come with usage limits. If you’re just getting started and looking for a free digital signature tool - or you just don’t feel like paying $30/month to sign a PDF — there’s another option.

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Try DocuChain (Free)

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DocuChain is a free tool that lets you create digital signatures online without hitting a paywall.

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It’s built for crypto-native teams but works just as well for everyday business use. No logins. No limits. And every signed doc is securely stored on the blockchain - neat, right?

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Want a quick walkthrough? Check our step-by-step guide here on how to make a digital signature in under a minute.

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Is It Legally Valid?

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Yes. In most countries — including the U.S., EU, Canada, and many others — digital signatures are 100% legal and enforceable in court.

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That’s why platforms like DocuChain are built to meet global compliance standards and keep your documents safe — whether you’re signing a sales contract or preparing for legal review.

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Need a digital signature PDF tool that won’t nickel and dime you? Try DocuChain - it’s simple, secure, and, yeah, actually free.

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