English· Polski
Sign upLog in
SignSafe

A handwritten on-screen signature: what the opinions say and where the limits are

We rely on four opinions you can download: a legal opinion on the nature of the signature, a handwriting-expert opinion, one for medical facilities and one for real estate brokerage contracts. We summarise them faithfully, limits included. This is a summary, not legal advice.

Try it freeSee pricing

SignSafe is a tool for electronic document workflow and for collecting signatures. According to a legal opinion by Gałecki and Associates of 21 August 2023, the signature drawn in it with a finger is handwritten, meets the written form and is equivalent in effect to a qualified electronic signature, though it is not one. Signatures can be examined forensically. Data is held in the EU.

SignSafe relies on a handwritten signature drawn by hand on a digital document, which matters for demanding sectors. The signature can be verified with handwriting-examination methods, like a signature on paper. Below we describe what the legal and handwriting opinions say and where the limits are.

What usually gets in the way

You do not know if a phone signature would stand up in a dispute

If the legal basis is unclear, a company hesitates to adopt e-signing or keeps paper in parallel after it does.

E-signature marketing mixes different concepts

Handwritten, electronic, advanced and qualified signatures are not the same thing. Confusing them leads to using the wrong type of signature, or to giving up a convenient one without need.

You do not know where data goes and who is responsible for it

Documents hold personal data. Without a clear processing agreement and data location it is hard to meet GDPR requirements.

What you get

Written form

met, according to a legal opinion on a handwritten signature in SignSafe (Art. 78 of the Civil Code)

4 opinions

legal, handwriting-expert, medical facilities and real estate brokerage, available to download

EU

data on servers in the European Union (OVH hosting), a processing agreement for business customers

How it works

The recipient makes a handwritten signature

The signer draws their signature with a finger on the screen and it is placed on the PDF. It is a handwritten biometric signature, not a font choice or a click.

The document meets the written form

According to the legal opinion, a declaration of intent signed in the app meets the requirements of the written form under Art. 78 of the Polish Civil Code.

The signature can be examined

According to the handwriting opinion, SignSafe signatures allow forensic comparative examination of handwriting, as with a signature on paper.

The document goes to the sender’s account

The signed PDF is stored in the sender’s account, on servers in the European Union.

What you can do

  • Check what the SignSafe signature rests on
  • Download the legal and handwriting opinions and those for healthcare and real estate
  • Assess whether a document needs the written form (enough), the electronic form under Art. 78¹ of the Civil Code (we can connect a qualified signature) or a notarial deed (not possible in SignSafe)
  • Conclude a data processing agreement

Who it is for

  • People responsible for contracts and compliance who need to know what a signature rests on before adopting it
  • Legal teams and advisers assessing whether a given document type can be signed by hand on a screen
  • Medical practices and real estate agencies looking for opinions on their sector
  • Staffing agencies and companies contracting with foreign nationals who want to know the caveats
  • Customers assessing risk before changing their current e-signature provider

The signing record: who, when and from which device

SignSafe attaches a signing record to every signed document: a bilingual (PL and EN) summary page. It contains the document name and number, the date and time it was sent and signed, a unique SignSafe certificate identifier, the sender’s details, and for each signer: name, email address, system number, IP address, the device used to sign (for example an iPhone), the date and time of signing and the method. Together with the option of handwriting-expert verification, it gives two complementary pieces of evidence: you can see who signed, when and from which device, and the signature itself can be examined with forensic methods.

Legal basis: a handwritten signature and the written form

The legal opinion by the law firm Gałecki and Associates (legal adviser Tomasz Gałecki) of 21 August 2023, on the legal nature of a signature made by hand on a touchscreen, states that a signature made in SignSafe is a handwritten signature, that is, a handwritten biometric signature. A declaration of intent signed in the app meets the requirements of the written form (Art. 78 of the Polish Civil Code).

The opinion adds a safeguard: if the signature did not meet the handwritten-signature requirements, the declaration remains valid in the documentary form (Art. 77² of the Civil Code). The documentary form is therefore a fallback, not the basis SignSafe stands on.

You can download the full opinion (PDF, in Polish). This is a summary of an opinion, not legal advice; if in doubt, consult a lawyer. How signing works is described on sign a document and handwritten e-signature.

What about eIDAS

According to the same opinion, a SignSafe signature is not an “electronic signature” within the meaning of the eIDAS Regulation, so eIDAS standards do not apply to it. That is why we do not call it an “eIDAS signature”. It is not a flaw, just a different legal category: a handwritten signature rather than an electronic one.

In legal effect, however, this signature is equivalent to a qualified electronic signature, because both preserve the written form. It is not a qualified electronic signature. This is a summary of an opinion, not legal advice. We explain the difference between the kinds of signature in the e-signature guide.

Handwriting verification and its limits

The handwriting opinion by Pracownia Grafologiczna (an expert in forensic examination of documents and handwriting) of 29 August 2024 states that SignSafe signatures allow forensic comparative examination of handwriting. Such examinations end in non-categorical identifying conclusions and in non-categorical and categorical eliminating ones. They are freely assessed, like any evidence.

A limit: certain motor features, such as pressure and writing speed, cannot be verified. The expert recommends full-form, legible signatures with first name and surname, as these are better suited to examination. The opinion therefore makes comparative verification possible; it is neither a guarantee of authenticity nor a confirmation of identity. Download the handwriting opinion (PDF, in Polish).

The opinion was issued by Pracownia Grafologiczna (www.pracownia-grafologiczna.com, tel. 508 185 524). SignSafe has legal and handwriting opinions on its own use, and all the opinions can be downloaded on this page.

Healthcare

The legal opinion for medical facilities (G&A, 25 August 2024) recalls that rules for medical facilities generally require the written form. Examples are consent to a procedure or method carrying increased risk (Art. 18 of the Patients’ Rights Act) and an agreement for the provision of healthcare services, for which the written form is required on pain of invalidity. A signature in SignSafe is handwritten and meets the written form.

The opinion also notes that the app can be particularly useful for medical records kept in electronic form. Consent given through the Internet Patient Account or with a personal signature has, according to the opinion, the documentary form. Details are in the opinion: download (PDF, in Polish). Uses are described on e-signature for healthcare.

Real estate

The legal opinion on real estate brokerage contracts (G&A, 18 July 2024) states that a brokerage contract requires the written or electronic form on pain of invalidity (Art. 180(3) of the Real Estate Management Act). A contract concluded by the parties in SignSafe meets the requirements of that form.

Download the opinion (PDF, in Polish). It concerns brokerage contracts, not every act on the property market. More on e-signature in real estate.

Staffing agencies and foreign nationals: a 2021 legal note and its caveats

According to a legal note from the law firm Gałecki and Associates of 2021, nothing prevents concluding employment contracts and civil-law contracts through SignSafe with Polish citizens and with foreign nationals whose status is equivalent as regards the right to work. The written form is met. The note does, however, contain caveats you need to know:

  • for an employment contract, the employer should confirm to the employee in writing that the contract was concluded and its terms before the employee starts work (Art. 29 § 2 of the Labour Code);
  • in work-permit and residence proceedings and during labour inspectorate (PIP) checks, authorities may interpret “written form” as a paper document. This is an interpretive risk that cannot be ruled out;
  • for contracts with a foreign national, a translation of the contract into a language they understand must be provided.

Uses are described on e-signature for staffing agencies and a practical case on the R2T implementation page.

What works when: handwritten and qualified signatures

We do not compete with the qualified signature; the two forms complement each other. Distinguish three situations. Where the rules require the written form, a handwritten SignSafe signature is, according to the opinion, sufficient. Where the electronic form under Art. 78¹ of the Civil Code or another document requires a qualified electronic signature, our own handwritten signature does not replace it, because it is not qualified. When a qualified electronic signature is required, we can connect it in SignSafe. Where a notarial deed is required, you need a notary, because SignSafe does not support that.

The qualified signature is a separate feature that complements the handwritten one. We discuss the scope in a conversation about adoption; write to us via the contact page. If you are comparing SignSafe with your current provider, see switching e-signature provider. For automating the process there is the API.

Data in the EU and GDPR

Servers holding service data are in the European Union (OVH hosting). Business and API customers sign a personal data processing agreement with us. Payments are handled by the operator Tpay.

The summaries on this page describe the content of the opinions at the time they were issued and do not replace analysis of your case.

Security and legal basis

Servers holding service data are in the European Union (OVH hosting).

For business and API customers we sign a separate data processing agreement (GDPR).

Payments are handled by the operator Tpay.

The recipient opens the document through a link and a unique security code sent to their email address.

A handwritten on-screen signature allows forensic comparative verification of handwriting (handwriting opinion of 2024), with the limits described below.

Legal and handwriting-expert opinions

Legal and handwriting-expert opinions to download

Gałecki and Associates, legal adviser Tomasz Gałecki · 21 August 2023

Legal nature of a signature placed by hand on the touch screen of an electronic device

A signature placed in SignSafe is a handwritten signature, and a declaration of intent signed in the app meets the requirements of written form. If the signature did not qualify as handwritten, the declaration is still valid in documentary form. In legal effect it is equivalent to a qualified electronic signature: both preserve written form.

Download the opinion (PDF)

Pracownia Grafologiczna, forensic document and handwriting examiner · 29 August 2024

Feasibility of comparative examination of handwriting produced with SignSafe

Signatures placed in SignSafe allow forensic comparative handwriting examination, ending in non-categorical (typifying) conclusions and in both non-categorical and categorical elimination conclusions. As with any evidence, these are subject to free evaluation. Limitation: certain motor features (such as pressure and tempo) cannot be verified. The expert recommends full-form, legible signatures with first name and surname.

Download the opinion (PDF)

Gałecki and Associates, legal adviser Tomasz Gałecki · 25 August 2024

Using the SignSafe app in medical facilities

Rules for medical facilities generally require declarations of intent in written form (for example consent to a higher-risk procedure or a contract for healthcare services). A signature in SignSafe is a handwritten signature and the declaration meets the requirements of written form. The app can be especially useful when keeping medical records in electronic form.

Download the opinion (PDF)

Gałecki and Associates, legal adviser Tomasz Gałecki · 18 July 2024

A handwritten touch-screen signature for real-estate brokerage agreements

A real-estate brokerage agreement requires written or electronic form on pain of invalidity. A signature in SignSafe is a handwritten signature, and a brokerage agreement concluded by the parties using the app meets the form requirement.

Download the opinion (PDF)

Gałecki and Associates, attorney Mateusz Potocki · 14 June 2021

Legal note: concluding employment and civil-law contracts with foreigners through the SignSafe app

There are no obstacles to concluding employment and civil-law contracts through SignSafe with Polish citizens and with foreigners whose status is equal as regards the right to work: the signature has the features of a handwritten signature and meets written form. Caveats: the employer should confirm in writing to the employee the fact of the contract and its terms before the employee starts work; authorities (work or residence permits, labour inspections) may read written form as a paper document; a foreigner must be given a translation of the contract.

Download the opinion (PDF)

legal analysis prepared for SignSafe · 2020

SignSafe and telecommunications law and labour law

A telecommunications service contract can be concluded in written, electronic or documentary form, and SignSafe can meet the durable-medium requirement; verifying the subscriber’s identity is a separate requirement. In labour law an employment contract requires written form and a SignSafe signature is handwritten; electronic employee records must be digitally reproduced and bear the employer’s qualified signature or seal, which SignSafe does not provide by itself.

Download the opinion (PDF)

The opinions are in Polish. Summaries are a translation of their conclusions, not a legal opinion.

Pricing

One simple price: PLN 69 net a month

You pay for full access to the service, not for the number of documents. No yearly plan and no need to buy several accounts.

See full pricing

69PLN
net / month
Try it free

Free trial to start

Buy a subscription
Need the API or switching provider?The identical feature package at 50% of your current price, on presentation of an invoice or offer.Request an API offer

They trust us

Companies from many industries use SignSafe: from staffing agencies and real estate to catering, transport and medical services.

Customer reviews

“SignSafe has significantly improved how we sign contracts with employees and clients. Because documents can be signed remotely, with no need to come to the office in person, recruitment and hiring have become more efficient and less time-consuming. The tool is fully compliant with legal regulations, which gives us confidence that all contracts are fully binding. It is an ideal solution for the temporary-work industry, where operational efficiency is crucial.”
Michel T.R2T — temporary employment agency
“With SignSafe we can sign real-estate brokerage agreements and reservation agreements with clients remotely, which speeds the process up considerably. Confirming terms with prospective buyers is quick and convenient, even with people abroad. It is one of the few tools that lets you sign a reservation agreement online, removing the need for in-person meetings.”
Dorota R.Property Gold — real-estate sales agent

Reviews are translated from Polish.

See also

Sign a documentHandwritten e-signatureE-signatureSwitch e-signature providerAPI integration

Frequently asked questions

What does the signing record contain?

The record attached to a signed document contains the document name and number, the dates it was sent and signed, a unique SignSafe certificate identifier, the sender’s details and, for each signer, name, email, IP address, device, the date and time of signing and the method. It strengthens the document as evidence.

Is a signature in SignSafe a handwritten signature?

Yes, according to the legal opinion of the law firm Gałecki and Associates of 21 August 2023. A signature drawn with a finger on the screen is a handwritten biometric signature, and a declaration of intent signed in the app meets the requirements of the written form (Art. 78 of the Civil Code). This is a summary of an opinion, not legal advice.

Is the handwritten signature in SignSafe a qualified signature?

No. SignSafe's own handwritten signature is not a qualified electronic signature. According to the legal opinion, however, it is equivalent to one in effect, because both preserve the written form. When a qualified electronic signature is required, we can connect it in SignSafe. SignSafe does not support notarial deeds.

Does SignSafe support a qualified signature?

Yes, we can connect one. When a document requires a qualified electronic signature, for example the electronic form under Art. 78¹ of the Civil Code, we offer to connect such a signature alongside the handwritten one. We settle the details in a conversation about adoption; contact us via the contact page.

Is a SignSafe signature eIDAS compliant?

The question does not apply. According to the legal opinion, a SignSafe signature is not an “electronic signature” within the meaning of the eIDAS Regulation, so eIDAS standards do not apply to it. Its legal effect is equivalent to a qualified electronic signature.

Can a SignSafe signature be verified by a handwriting expert?

Yes. According to the opinion of Pracownia Grafologiczna of 29 August 2024, SignSafe signatures allow forensic comparative examination of handwriting. Pressure and speed cannot be verified, though, and the conclusions are freely assessed like any evidence.

How should I sign so that the signature is easier to verify?

With a full-form signature: legible, with first name and surname. That is the handwriting expert’s recommendation. Short initials are less suited to comparative examination.

What if the signature does not meet the handwritten-signature requirement?

Then, according to the legal opinion, the declaration is valid in the documentary form (Art. 77² of the Civil Code). It is a fallback, but not for acts that require the written form on pain of invalidity.

Can I sign an employment contract with a foreign national in SignSafe?

According to the 2021 legal note nothing prevents it and the written form is met, but there are caveats. The employer confirms the contract to the employee in writing before work starts, authorities may demand paper in proceedings and checks, and the contract must be provided in a language the foreign national understands.

Can patient consents be signed in SignSafe?

According to the legal opinion for medical facilities, a SignSafe signature is handwritten and meets the written form that the rules generally require, for example for consent to a higher-risk procedure. You can download the opinion on this page.

What is the handwritten SignSafe signature alone not enough for?

For acts requiring the electronic form under Art. 78¹ of the Civil Code, that is, a qualified electronic signature. When a qualified electronic signature is required, we can connect it in SignSafe. SignSafe does not support notarial deeds.

Where are my documents stored?

On servers in the European Union, with OVH hosting. Business and API customers sign a data processing agreement (GDPR). Payments are handled by the operator Tpay.

Updated: 2026-10-05

Start your free trial and discover what SignSafe can do for you!

See in practice how easy it is to collect and place signatures online. You can test every feature before you decide.

Try it free
Try it free