Many years ago, one of the few ways documents could be legally binding was by affixing physical or wet signatures. One has to print hard copies of the document, and both parties must sign the paperwork with a pen. But time has certainly changed.
The digital revolution has paved the way for a simpler and more convenient way of signing documents. Nowadays, using electronic and digital signatures are more prevalent, casting a massive shadow on physical signatures.
Why do we still need physical signatures in today’s modern landscape, where almost everything is done digitally? Are they still relevant? Let’s explore.
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What Are the Advantages of Using Physical Signatures?
Now that we have briefly explained the reason why do we still need physical signatures, let’s take a look at some of the advantages this method has over the more modern solution.
1. They are widely accepted all over the world.
Although most countries around the world consider digital and electronic signatures legally binding, a few countries still do not honor them. Physical signatures are widely accepted worldwide, regardless of the type of document you are signing.
2. They are very convenient.
For people who are a bit inexperienced with technology, using wet signatures to sign paperwork can be a more convenient way of signing. It requires no fancy gadget or equipment, just your pen and the printed copies of your documents.
3. They are harder to forge.
Why do you still need physical signatures in this day and age? To a certain extent, using wet signatures offers better protection as they are harder to forge, so they are still widely used in government forms and documents.
Why Do We Still Need Physical Signatures?
There’s no denying that there is a massive digital shift in almost all aspects of our lives. Most transactions from banking to commerce are now done digitally or online. With all these changes happening, one can’t help but wonder, Why do we still need physical signatures in the current environment?
Although digitally signing documents has become the norm for most organizations, there is still some relevance to using physical signatures. There are still documents such as mortgages and deeds that require wet signatures to be legally binding and valid. Writing a will also needs a physical signature to be honored and accepted in the court of law in most countries.
Key Takeaway
Why do we still need physical signatures? One of the reasons we shouldn’t completely abandon using physical signatures is that they are still widely used worldwide. It might be an old way of sealing the deal, but it most certainly is not irrelevant. Some big intuitions and organizations still prefer the traditional way over the digital approach to document handling and workflow.
However, using physical or wet signatures does not mean that you also have to do away with using electronic or digital ones. In fact, having both options can undoubtedly make your document workflow more efficient. You do not have to choose between the two. They can be used hand in hand.
