Signing electronically

Last updated November 11, 2026

The short version

  • Signing on your phone or computer counts the same as signing on paper.
  • You can download a signed PDF, and you can ask the business for a paper copy for free.
  • You don't have to sign electronically. You can ask the business for a paper version instead.

1. Your agreement

  • A business has sent you a proposal using EarnestBid. When you tick “I agree to sign electronically,” you agree to receive this proposal, its terms and related notices electronically, and to sign it electronically.
  • Your electronic signature (drawn or typed) has the same effect as signing a paper document, under the U.S. Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN) and state Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) laws.

2. You have choices

  • Paper instead: you don't have to sign electronically. Contact the business that sent the proposal and ask for a paper version.
  • Paper copy: after signing, you can ask the business for a paper copy of the signed proposal at no charge.
  • Withdrawing consent: you can stop receiving documents electronically by telling the business. This doesn't undo anything you've already signed.

3. What you need

A phone, tablet or computer with an up-to-date web browser, an email address, and a way to open PDF files (built into most phones and computers). If your email address changes, tell the business that sent the proposal.

4. What we record

To show the signature is yours, EarnestBid saves a signature record: the full name you type, the time you agreed and signed, your device and browser, your IP address (the internet address you signed from), and a fingerprint of exactly what you signed. The business keeps this record, and it's included in the signed PDF. See our Privacy Policy for more.

5. Your copy

Right after you sign, we email you a link to your signed copy. Keep that email. From the link you can download the signed PDF anytime the business keeps its account, and you can always ask the business for a copy.

6. Questions

For questions about the proposal itself, contact the business that sent it (use “Ask a question” on the proposal). For questions about EarnestBid, email hello@estimateflow.io.