It is possible now to send someone a document that they sign with their mouse and return. The document may have fields that must be filled in. No more print sign fax print file. Now the electronically signed document can be filed electronically and the process is over in minutes. Quickly and easily get contracts signed. My first experience was with the W9 form that payors need before sending payments for contract work. I was signing up with the site odesk - more about that later. The document came to me as a link in an email, I clicked the link and was taken to the W9 form which I filled in and then signed with my mouse.
Several on-line companies offer the service. DocuSign. EchoSign, RightSignature and there are programs you can buy and install. ToucanMultimedia has a single server version for $295. The on-line services provide similar functions, you upload a document and email it to the signers who then use their mouse to sign. The provider program keeps track of the signer's email, ip address and other identifying factors that will stand up in court should the signature be contested. Once a document is signed the document with the signature and identifying factors are locked and cannot be changed. RightSignature Utilizes 256-bit SSL encryption by GeoTrust and the world-class server infrastructure of Amazon Web Services (AWS), RightSignature™ ensures the absolute privacy of our users' data. RightSignature incorporates the most advanced security solutions, giving you the same level of data protection and redundancy as an online bank.
Pricing for RightSignature is available here along with a list of features. At less than $15 per month one can have electronic signatures on an unlimited number of documents. I tested RightSignature, they allow five documents for free, and was told that the document had been sent and another email sent me the signed document. There are also features for sending reminders to signors that they have documents waiting for their signature. It is all pretty slick and meets standards for legally binding electronic signatures.