What is a wet signature?

Asked by: Donato Kutch  |  Last update: August 16, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (8 votes)

A wet signature means you've physically “signed” a document with a pen, seal, or other identifying mark on a physical piece of paper. Although e-signatures have become more common, certain circumstances require wet signatures, such as when signing for wills, trusts, adoptions, and divorce proceedings.

What is meant by a wet signature?

What is a wet signature? Wet signature is the use of a physical signature, made by hand with a pen ("wet ink"), to bind the party signing to the terms of the document upon which they leave their signature.

Can a wet signature be emailed?

Wet signatures: Customers need to print documents, physically sign them, scan them and email them or send the document via overnight mail.

Does an iPad signature count as a wet signature?

Today, an electronic signature can carry the same weight and legal effect as traditional wet signatures on paper documents in most cases.

How do I create a wet signature in Word?

How to Insert a Wet Signature on Word
  1. Step 1: Sign a Piece of Paper. ...
  2. Step 2: Scan or Take a Photo of Your Signature. ...
  3. Step 3: Upload the Photo to Your Computer and Save it. ...
  4. Step 4: Insert the Photo into MS Word. ...
  5. Step 5: Resize Your Signature. ...
  6. Step 6: Save Your Document.

Docusign eSignature: How to Sign a Document with a Wet Signature

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How do I do a wet signature?

How to obtain a wet signature quickly and efficiently.
  1. Send the signing party a downloadable PDF or Word document with the field requiring their wet signature.
  2. The signer downloads and prints the document.
  3. The signer physically signs the document.

Does a stamp count as a wet signature?

You can create a wet signature on any paper document with a pen or any other tool which helps you to create a physical mark. These physical marks can be created with the help of an ink seal, or stamp. Alternatively, you can also put your thumb impression as your wet signature.

Is signing on an iPad a digital signature?

Most digital signature apps, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader and PDF Expert, allow you to sign using your finger. Additionally, the built-in Markup feature in the Files app and the Mail app on your iPad also enable you to add your signature using your finger.

How to make a digital signature?

To add a digital signature, open your Microsoft Word document and click where you'd like to add your signature line. From the Word ribbon, select the Insert tab and then click Signature Line in the Text group. A Signature Setup pop-up box appears. Enter your information in the text fields and click OK.

How do you add an ink signature to a Word document?

Open a Word or Excel document. Under the Review tab, choose Start inking. Hover to the place on the page where you want to sign. Write your signature.

How do I get a wet signature without a printer?

Using an E-Signature App to Convert a Wet Signature

The fastest and easiest way to convert a wet signature is through an eSignature app like Signaturely. You do not need to print the document to sign it. Signaturely is a free PDF signer app you can download onto your computer or mobile device.

Does a wet signature need to be in blue ink?

A wet signature carries an ancient touch of authentication. It is the process of putting your signature on a piece of paper using an inking pen. This traditional form of signature, often written in black or blue ink, provides legal enforcement to documents and contracts.

Can you DocuSign divorce papers?

In the U.S., the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) excludes certain categories of document from e-signature. These include: Wills or testamentary trusts. Family law documents like divorce or adoption papers.

Is ballpoint pen wet ink?

“Wet”, of course, refers to the fact that a paper document was physically signed with ink. Some fountain pen inks can take 60 or more seconds to dry. Even though ink from a ballpoint pen takes only a few seconds to dry, this is still considered a wet signature.

How can you tell if a document is electronically signed?

See how to validate a digital signature

Open the PDF containing the signature and then select the signature. The Signature validation status dialog box describes the validity of the signature. For more information about the Signature and Timestamp, select Signature Properties.

Are scanned signed documents legal?

A scanned signature is legally valid if the law does not stipulate a written form for the declaration of intent. However, the signature is barely provable, as it is only an image of the signature.

How do I create a digital signature for my email?

Add or change a signature
  1. Open Gmail.
  2. At the top right, click Settings. See all settings.
  3. In the "Signature" section, add your signature text in the box. If you want, you can format your message by adding an image or changing the text style. ...
  4. At the bottom of the page, click Save Changes.

Does a digital signature need to be handwritten?

No, an electronic signature does not have to be identical to an handwritten signature.

How do I create a valid digital signature?

How to do it
  1. Write your name on a piece of white paper using a ballpoint pen. ...
  2. Using your smartphone, tablet, or home scanner, take a photo or scan the image of your signature.
  3. Use digital tools like your smartphone editor or an online photo editor to neatly crop your handwritten signature to an acceptable size.

Is an iPad signature a wet signature?

Since electronic signatures in the Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN) went into effect in 2000, electronic and digital signatures have held the same legal standing as wet signatures.

Is there a difference between a digital signature and an electronic signature?

A digital signature is always electronic, but an electronic signature is not always digital. A digital signature works with encryption technology using a cryptographic mechanism that provides additional security for the document and guarantees its integrity.

How do I fill out a form that was emailed to me on my iPad?

You can fill out PDF forms in Google Drive on your iPhone or iPad.
  1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Drive app.
  2. Tap the PDF that you want to fill out.
  3. At the bottom, tap Fill out form. ...
  4. Enter your information in the PDF form.
  5. In the top right, tap Save.

What is the wet signature rule?

The term “wet signature” describes the traditional pen-and-paper approach to signing and executing contracts. While still required in some cases, e-signatures and automated contract workflows offer a much faster, more efficient, and more secure alternative.

Can a notary use a stamp instead of a signature?

If you are a notary who notarizes multiple documents a day, using a signature stamp can be a tempting way to avoid hand cramping and carpal tunnel. However, laws that regulate the acts of notaries are often very strict. This includes using a facsimile signature stamp in lieu of a handwritten or wet signature.

What is an example of a wet signature?

A wet signature (also called wet ink signature) is a mark placed on a physical document with a pen, pencil, or any other writing tool to show an agreement between two or more parties-whether that's people or institutions. For example, a handwritten signature on a mortgage deed, or on a divorce agreement.