The Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) Explained
Direct Answer
The Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) is a model state law drafted by the Uniform Law Commission in 1999 and adopted by 49 US states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico. UETA establishes that electronic records and signatures satisfy state legal requirements for a written signature in commercial and governmental transactions.
State-Level Recognition of Electronic Transactions
While the federal ESIGN Act governs interstate commerce, state contract law traditionally governs local agreements—such as real estate leases, employment contracts, and local service agreements. To provide uniform state-level enforceability, the Uniform Law Commission created UETA.
Under UETA, if a law requires a record to be in writing, an electronic record satisfies the law; and if a law requires a signature, an electronic signature satisfies the law.
UETA applies only when each party to the transaction has agreed to conduct transactions by electronic means. Whether the parties agree to conduct a transaction electronically is determined from the context and surrounding circumstances.
- Adopted by 49 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico to govern state-level electronic contracts
- Affirms that an electronic record or signature satisfies statutory 'writing' requirements
- Requires mutual agreement between parties to conduct business electronically
- Complements the federal ESIGN Act to provide comprehensive nationwide enforceability
UETA and Document Attribution
UETA specifically addresses attribution, stating that an electronic record or signature is attributable to a person if it was the act of the person, which may be proven in any manner, including showing the efficacy of any security procedure applied.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ESIGN and UETA?
ESIGN is a federal statute governing interstate commerce, while UETA is an individual state statute governing state-level transactions. Both share identical principles regarding e-signature validity.
Which states have not adopted UETA?
New York has not adopted UETA, but instead enacted its own comparable statute, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act (ESRA).
Does UETA require both parties to consent to electronic business?
Yes. UETA requires that the parties agree to conduct transactions electronically, which is routinely accomplished through a consent disclosure before signing.
How does SignCEO support UETA attribution rules?
SignCEO records comprehensive audit logs—capturing signer email confirmation, exact timestamps, IP addresses, and session tokens—to substantiate signer attribution.
SignCEO Transparent Pricing
Straightforward pricing with zero surprise charges, no arbitrary price hikes, and no required credit card to start:
SignCEO Standard Plan ($0/month)
3 free envelopes every month. Additional envelope packs: 5 for $10 or 25 for $25. Purchased envelopes never expire. Recipients sign free without accounts.
ClientCEO Integration (10 Free/month)
10 free envelopes monthly per unique user for ClientCEO users. 5 envelopes for $10 or 25 for $25. Purchased credits never expire.