Every signature backed by a court-grade audit trail
SignOwl generates a tamper-evident audit trail for every signing event — from the moment a document is sent to the final signature. Each action is logged with a UTC timestamp, IP address, device and browser information, and geolocation. The completed document is hashed with SHA-256, producing a unique fingerprint that proves the file has not been altered since signing.
Benefits
- Provides legally defensible proof of who signed, when, and from where
- SHA-256 hash makes document tampering detectable after the fact
- Full event log covers opens, views, declines, and each field completion
- Downloadable audit certificate included with every completed document
- Satisfies ESIGN Act, eIDAS, and similar e-signature compliance frameworks
How it works
- Document is sent — SignOwl records the sender identity, document hash, and send timestamp as the baseline audit entry.
- Signer actions are logged — Every open, field completion, and signature is timestamped and associated with the signer's IP address, browser, and device.
- Document is finalized — On completion, SignOwl generates the final SHA-256 hash of the signed PDF, locking the record.
- Audit certificate is attached — A full audit certificate is appended to the download package and can be submitted alongside the document in legal or compliance situations.
Frequently asked questions
Is a SignOwl audit trail admissible in court?
SignOwl's audit trails are designed to meet the evidentiary standards of the ESIGN Act (US) and eIDAS (EU). Admissibility depends on jurisdiction and specific case circumstances — consult legal counsel for high-stakes contracts.
What does the SHA-256 hash prove?
The hash is a unique fingerprint of the document at the moment of signing. If a single character is altered afterward, the hash changes. Anyone can recompute the hash on the /verify page to confirm the document is unaltered.
How long is the audit trail stored?
Audit trails are stored for as long as the document exists in your SignOwl account. Deleted documents also remove their audit trail, so download the certificate before deleting if long-term retention is needed.
Ready to send your first document?
Upload a PDF, add signature fields, and send — your signers get a beautiful page on any device. No accounts, no apps, no friction.
Start free — no card needed