E-signature law
Electronic Signature Laws in New York
Yes. New York ESRA gives electronic signatures the same legal effect as handwritten signatures for most business transactions.
Last verified July 1, 2026
Governing law
New York Electronic Signatures and Records Act (ESRA), N.Y. State Tech. Law §§301–309
Enacted: 2000
Key sections
- §304 (legal effect)
- §305 (exclusions)
- §308 (notarization)
New York enacted ESRA rather than the model UETA. ESRA has different language but substantially similar effect for most commercial transactions. New York also has remote online notarization (RON) law enabling electronic notarization for real property documents. ESRA does not cover all government filings. Check specific agency requirements.
New York's statute works alongside the federal ESIGN Act. See ESIGN Act vs UETA: which law applies for how the two interact.
What the law requires
- The e-signature must be associated with the record
- The e-signature must be made with intent to sign
- The record must be capable of retention and accurate reproduction
- The parties must have agreed to conduct the transaction electronically (for consumer transactions)
Documents that may still require a wet signature
This list is not exhaustive. When in doubt, consult a licensed attorney in the jurisdiction.
- Wills, trusts, and powers of attorney for health care decisions (in some circumstances)
- Negotiable instruments under UCC Article 3 (with some exceptions)
- Documents required by law to be notarized with wet-ink notary (unless remote online notarization applies)
- Court filings (governed by separate court rules)
How WoltSign addresses these requirements
WoltSign captures the elements that most e-signature laws require for enforceability: the signer's intent to sign (shown by their action of typing or drawing a signature), their consent to conduct the transaction electronically (captured at the start of each signing session), attribution (the email address and IP address associated with each signature event), and an unaltered record of the signed document with a tamper-evident audit trail.
WoltSign is designed to support the general requirements of ESIGN and UETA. Whether a specific signing session produces an enforceable signature depends on the facts of that transaction, the document type, and the applicable law. No e-signature tool can guarantee a legal outcome.
Read more in what makes an e-signature legally binding and on the e-signatures product page.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the questions teams ask most often about this topic.
Are electronic signatures valid in New York?
Yes. New York's Electronic Signatures and Records Act (ESRA), enacted in 2000, gives electronic signatures the same legal effect as handwritten signatures for most business and commercial transactions. New York enacted ESRA separately from the model UETA adopted by most other states, but the practical effect is similar for most document types.
Does New York have the same e-signature law as other states?
No. New York enacted ESRA rather than the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) used by most other states. The substantive requirements are similar, but the statutory language and some specific provisions differ. Verify applicable law with a New York attorney for regulated industries.
Can real estate documents be signed electronically in New York?
Many real estate documents can be signed electronically in New York under ESRA. New York also has remote online notarization law, enabling electronic notarization of real property documents. Check with a New York real estate attorney for specific document requirements including deeds.
What records must be kept for a New York e-signature to hold up?
ESRA requires that the e-signature be associated with the record and that the record be capable of retention and accurate reproduction. A complete audit trail with timestamps, signer email, IP address, and document integrity hash supports these requirements.
Start sending documents for signature
WoltSign captures consent, intent, attribution, and a tamper-evident audit trail for every signing session.