Validate the signature on your invoice in India (2024)

FAQs

Validate the signature on your invoice in India? ›

Right-click the Digitally signed notice at the top of the invoice, and select Show signature properties. Review the signature's certificate details in the "Summary" tab of the "Certificate Viewer" window. Verify that the signature belongs to the Google entity that issues your invoices.

Contrary to popular belief, e-signatures have been legally valid in India for over 18 years now: the Information Technology Act (IT Act), passed in 2000, granted e-signatures the same legal status as handwritten signatures.

Electronic signatures are legally recognized in India and are provided for in the Information Technology Act, 2000 (“ITA”), the Indian Contract Act of 1872 (“ICA”) and the Electronic Signature or Electronic Authentication Technique and Procedure Rules, 2015 (“ESEATPR”).

Section 5 of the IT Act gives legal recognition to digital signatures based on asymmetric cryptosystems. Each Digital Signature is enabled using a Digital Signature Certificate and contains a unique private and public key pair that serves as the identity of an individual.

Signature validity is determined by checking the authenticity of the signature's digital ID certificate status and document integrity. To verify authenticity, the validator checks if the signer's certificate or its parent certificates are trusted.

The e-signing laws in India state that the e-signatures must be linked to the person signing the document in the form of a government-issued digital ID. The signer must have complete control over the data used in the generation of the electronic signature by directly affixing their e-signatures to the document.

Secure, legally-binding electronic signatures

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The DSCs are typically issued with one year validity and two year validity. These are renewable on expiry of the period of initial issue.

In most states, a notary public may use any of the following methods of identification to verify the identity of the signer for notary services: 1) the signer must have a current identification card or other document issued by the federal or any state government that contains the photograph and signature of the signer; ...

Electronic signatures are verified by encryption, which is built around public and private keys. Each public and private key is like a partnership: they're both generated at the same time and are linked upon their inception.

Can I use DocuSign in India? ›

DocuSign plans are designed to quicken the pace of your business proceedings and make them more cost-effective in India by enabling you to sign documents electronically across any device.

The IT Act treats electronic signatures recognized under it as equivalent to physical signatures, subject to a few exceptions. It also generally allows documents to be signed using any form of e-signatures.

Who issues the Digital Signature Certificate? A licensed Certifying Authority (CA) issues the digital signature. Certifying Authority (CA) means a person who has been granted a license to issue a digital signature certificate under Section 24 of the Indian IT-Act 2000.

In India, e-contracts are recognized and enforceable under the law, provided they fulfil legal conditions such as offer, acceptance, consideration, and a clear intention to create a contractual relationship as mandated by the Indian Contract Act, 1872.

However, the certificate of electronic signature is only valid for 3 years. So technically an attempt to validate the signatures after those 3 years can be somewhat troublesome. The undeniable (or so called non–repudiable) fact is that the signature was valid at a previous point in time.

Validity of Digital Signatures:

The DSCs are typically issued with one year validity and two year validity. These are renewable on expiry of the period of initial issue.

The Law Says Yes:

Admissibility in Court: Documents signed with valid DSCs are admissible as evidence in Indian courts, making them legally binding and enforceable. Whether it's a contract, tax return, or government filing, your e-signature holds its own.