History

• In 1869, the New Hampshire Supreme Court was the first to give an early validation of electronic signatures. At the time, the issue concerned contractual agreements established via the telegraph or Morse code.
  
  

Function

• An electronic signature can function as an "agree to terms" selection, an "I agree" button or an electronic tablet that accepts a handwritten signature.
  
  

Benefits

• Positive results of electronic signatures include a more productive workplace, work flow efficiency, saved expenses (shipping costs etc.), document integrity and increased e-commerce.
  
  

The Rules

• According to an amendment to the New Hampshire Digital Signature Act, the power of an electronic signature is the same as that of a written signature if it is unique to the person using it, can be verified, is under the sole control of the person using it and is linked to data that confirms the validity of the signature. The use of digital signatures is not required of businesses by state law.