In this guide · 8 sections
Short answer
Yes, electronic signatures are legal in Singapore for most business documents under the Electronic Transactions Act 2010. Wills, trusts, powers of attorney and property sales are excluded. Sign with Singpass gives the strongest identity proof; DocuSign is simpler for international signers.
Is an electronic signature legal in Singapore?
Yes, for most business documents. The Electronic Transactions Act 2010 says that where a law requires a signature, an electronic signature can meet that requirement if it identifies the person and shows their intention about the document, and the method is reliable for the purpose.
The Act defines a signature broadly: any method, electronic or otherwise, used to identify a person and show their intention. A typed name in an email, a drawn signature in an app and a certificate-based digital signature can all count. What differs is how easy it is to prove who signed if someone later disputes it.
| Type | Example | Proof if disputed |
|---|---|---|
| Simple electronic signature | Typed name, ticked box, signature drawn on screen | Depends on emails, logs and other evidence |
| E-signature platform with audit trail | DocuSign, Adobe Acrobat Sign | Platform records email, IP address, timestamps and a completion certificate |
| Secure Electronic Signature (SES) | Sign with Singpass | Signature cryptographically linked to the signer's verified identity; changes are detected |
This is general information, not legal advice. For high-value or unusual contracts, ask your lawyer which method they expect.
Documents you cannot sign electronically
Section 4 and the First Schedule of the Act exclude some matters from its electronic records and signature rules. Based on the Act's published text, these include:
- Wills: creating or executing a will.
- Trusts and powers of attorney: creating, performing or enforcing an indenture, a declaration of trust or a power of attorney, except trusts that arise by law.
- Property sales: any contract to sell or dispose of immovable property or an interest in it.
- Property transfers: the conveyance of immovable property or the transfer of an interest in it.
Negotiable instruments and documents of title, such as bills of lading, were removed from this list by the Electronic Transactions (Amendment) Act 2021, which created rules for electronic transferable records instead.
How Sign with Singpass works
Sign with Singpass is a GovTech service that lets Singpass users sign documents with signing certificates held in the Singpass app. According to the Sign with Singpass FAQs, the signer:
Opens the document in a platform that offers Sign with Singpass
Businesses do not sign up with GovTech directly for this. You use an e-signature or business app that has integrated the service.
Scans the Singpass QR code on the document
The signer uses their Singpass app, which shows the document so they see exactly what they are signing.
Matches the reference code
The code on screen must match the one in the app, which helps stop someone tricking the signer into approving a different document.
Authenticates
With fingerprint, face recognition or their 6-digit Singpass passcode.
GovTech says signatures use certificates issued by the National Certification Authority and are recognised as Secure Electronic Signatures under the Act. Any change to a signed document is detected and flagged as invalid. Signed documents are not kept on the Singpass server or app longer than needed to complete the transaction.
The catch: signers need a Singpass account, so it works for Singapore residents but not most overseas clients or suppliers.
DocuSign plans and prices in Singapore
DocuSign's Singapore pricing page lists these eSignature plans, approximate, as of October 2026. An 'envelope' is one document or set of documents sent for signature.
| Plan | Price (billed yearly) | Envelopes | Notable features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal | S$13/month (S$156/year), 1 user | 5 per month | Templates, basic fields |
| Standard | S$35/user/month (S$420/year) | 100 per user per year | Shared templates, comments, reminders |
| Business Pro | S$55/user/month (S$660/year) | 100 per user per year | Web forms, payment collection, bulk send |
| Enhanced | Contact sales | Custom | SSO, central admin, 24/7 support |
DocuSign records an audit trail and certificate of completion for each envelope. Watch the envelope limits: a team of two on Standard can send about 200 envelopes a year in total, roughly four a week.
DocuSign vs Sign with Singpass: which to use
DocuSign (or Adobe Acrobat Sign)
Works with anyoneFrom S$13/month (Personal); S$35/user/month (Standard)
- Signers only need an email address
- Audit trail and completion certificate
- Templates, reminders and integrations
- Envelope limits on lower plans
Best for: Contracts with overseas parties, and high-volume sales or HR paperwork.
Sign with Singpass (via a partner platform)
Strongest identity proofDepends on the platform you use
- Signature linked to verified Singpass identity
- Recognised as SES under the Act
- Tamper-evident signed document
- Signers must have Singpass
Best for: Higher-value local contracts, tenancy and employment documents with Singapore residents.
Many businesses use both: a general e-signature tool for day-to-day documents, and a platform with Sign with Singpass when the identity of a local signer really matters. If your contracts sit in a project tool, see Notion vs ClickUp vs Asana for where to store them.
Good practice for any e-signature
E-signature checklist
Fake 'please sign' emails are a common phishing trick. Our guide to spotting phishing emails shows what to check, and the MFA set-up guide covers protecting the account that sends your contracts. If contracts collect NRIC numbers, read the PDPA rules on NRIC collection first.
Do it yourself or get help?
Signing up for DocuSign and sending a first document takes about 15 minutes. The time savings come from templates and automation, such as a signed contract creating a customer in your CRM or an invoice in Xero.
Workflow Automation (S$390 per workflow) connects your e-signature tool to forms, email or accounting so signed documents are filed and followed up automatically. For a custom signing flow, such as a client portal that uses a Sign with Singpass platform, Custom Tool or Dashboard (from S$1,990) is scoped in writing with a fixed price.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, for most business documents. The Electronic Transactions Act 2010 lets an electronic signature satisfy a legal signature requirement if it identifies the person, shows their intention about the document, and uses a method reliable for the purpose. Some matters, such as wills, powers of attorney and property sales, are excluded.
The Act's First Schedule excludes creating or executing a will; indentures, declarations of trust and powers of attorney (except trusts arising by law); contracts to sell or dispose of immovable property; and conveyances or transfers of interests in immovable property. Other laws can impose their own requirements, so check unusual documents with a lawyer.
It is a GovTech service that lets Singpass users sign documents in the Singpass app by scanning a QR code, matching a reference code and authenticating with fingerprint, face or passcode. GovTech says the signatures are recognised as Secure Electronic Signatures under the Electronic Transactions Act 2010. Businesses access it through platforms that integrate it.
As of October 2026, DocuSign's Singapore page lists Personal at S$13 a month billed yearly with 5 envelopes a month, Standard at S$35 per user a month with 100 envelopes per user per year, and Business Pro at S$55 per user a month. Additional tax may apply.
Only if they have a Singpass account, which most overseas individuals do not. For contracts with overseas clients or suppliers, a general e-signature service that only needs an email address, such as DocuSign or Adobe Acrobat Sign, is more practical.