Electronic Signature Laws by State
Electronic signatures are valid in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, but not under the same statute everywhere. Forty-nine states and D.C. have adopted the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA), New York has its own law, and the federal ESIGN Act sits on top of all of them. Below is the law and citation for every state, what actually changes from one state to the next, and detailed pages for the biggest ones.
In 30 seconds
- Valid everywhere: UETA in 49 states and D.C. (plus Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), ESRA in New York, and the federal ESIGN Act nationwide.
- The last states to adopt UETA were Washington (2020) and Illinois (2021).
- What changes by state: the list of excluded documents (California's is the longest) and the rules for online notarization.
- What doesn't change: if someone denies signing, you have to show it was "the act of the person." An audit trail is that proof.
Three layers of law
- ESIGN (federal, 2000, 15 U.S.C. § 7001 et seq.) applies nationwide to transactions in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce. A signature can't be denied legal effect "solely because it is in electronic form." See the ESIGN Act explained.
- UETA (model act, 1999) is enacted by each state as its own statute. Under ESIGN § 7002, a state that adopts UETA as approved by the Uniform Law Commission can let it take ESIGN's place. See what is UETA.
- ESRA (New York State Technology Law, Article 3) is New York's own law. It gives an electronic signature "the same validity and effect" as a handwritten one.
So in practice the rule is the same everywhere: the electronic signature is valid, a few documents are excluded, and what matters in a dispute is proving who signed.
"A record or signature may not be denied legal effect or enforceability solely because it is in electronic form."
UETA § 7(a), as enacted in Washington, RCW 1.80.060(1) · Official source
Official figures
states that have adopted UETA. New York is the only one that hasn't.
the year Illinois, the most recent state, adopted UETA (815 ILCS 333).
deadline for California to launch online notarization (SB 696, 2023).
The law in all 50 states and D.C.
Each state's electronic signature statute, by name and citation. Linked states have their own page with exclusions, notarization rules and case law.
| State | Law | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | UETA | Ala. Code § 8-1A-1 et seq. |
| Alaska | UETA | Alaska Stat. § 09.80.010 et seq. |
| Arizona | UETA | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 44-7001 et seq. |
| Arkansas | UETA | Ark. Code Ann. § 25-32-101 et seq. |
| California | UETA | Cal. Civ. Code § 1633.1 et seq. |
| Colorado | UETA | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 24-71.3-101 et seq. |
| Connecticut | UETA | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 1-266 et seq. |
| Delaware | UETA | Del. Code tit. 6, § 12A-101 et seq. |
| District of Columbia | UETA | D.C. Code § 28-4901 et seq. |
| Florida | UETA | Fla. Stat. § 668.50 (and § 668.004) |
| Georgia | UETA | Ga. Code Ann. § 10-12-1 et seq. |
| Hawaii | UETA | Haw. Rev. Stat. ch. 489E |
| Idaho | UETA | Idaho Code § 28-50-101 et seq. |
| Illinois | UETA (2021) | 815 ILCS 333 |
| Indiana | UETA | Ind. Code § 26-2-8 |
| Iowa | UETA | Iowa Code ch. 554D |
| Kansas | UETA | Kan. Stat. Ann. § 16-1601 et seq. |
| Kentucky | UETA | Ky. Rev. Stat. § 369.101 et seq. |
| Louisiana | UETA | La. Rev. Stat. § 9:2601 et seq. |
| Maine | UETA | Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 10, § 9401 et seq. |
| Maryland | UETA | Md. Code, Com. Law § 21-101 et seq. |
| Massachusetts | UETA | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 110G |
| Michigan | UETA | Mich. Comp. Laws § 450.831 et seq. |
| Minnesota | UETA | Minn. Stat. ch. 325L |
| Mississippi | UETA | Miss. Code Ann. § 75-12-1 et seq. |
| Missouri | UETA | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 432.200 et seq. |
| Montana | UETA | Mont. Code Ann. § 30-18-101 et seq. |
| Nebraska | UETA | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 86-612 et seq. |
| Nevada | UETA | Nev. Rev. Stat. ch. 719 |
| New Hampshire | UETA | N.H. Rev. Stat. ch. 294-E |
| New Jersey | UETA | N.J. Stat. Ann. § 12A:12-1 et seq. |
| New Mexico | UETA | N.M. Stat. Ann. § 14-16-1 et seq. |
| New York | ESRA (not UETA) | N.Y. State Tech. Law §§ 301–309 |
| North Carolina | UETA | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 66-311 et seq. |
| North Dakota | UETA | N.D. Cent. Code ch. 9-16 |
| Ohio | UETA | Ohio Rev. Code ch. 1306 |
| Oklahoma | UETA | Okla. Stat. tit. 12A, § 15-101 et seq. |
| Oregon | UETA | Or. Rev. Stat. § 84.001 et seq. |
| Pennsylvania | UETA | 73 Pa. Stat. § 2260.101 et seq. |
| Rhode Island | UETA | R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-127.1-1 et seq. |
| South Carolina | UETA | S.C. Code Ann. § 26-6-10 et seq. |
| South Dakota | UETA | S.D. Codified Laws ch. 53-12 |
| Tennessee | UETA | Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-10-101 et seq. |
| Texas | UETA | Tex. Bus. & Com. Code ch. 322 |
| Utah | UETA | Utah Code Ann. § 46-4-101 et seq. |
| Vermont | UETA | Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 9, § 270 et seq. |
| Virginia | UETA | Va. Code Ann. § 59.1-479 et seq. |
| Washington | UETA (2020) | Wash. Rev. Code ch. 1.80 |
| West Virginia | UETA | W. Va. Code § 39A-1-1 et seq. |
| Wisconsin | UETA | Wis. Stat. § 137.11 et seq. |
| Wyoming | UETA | Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 40-21-101 et seq. |
Puerto Rico (Act No. 148 of 2006) and the U.S. Virgin Islands have also adopted UETA. Citations are to the start of each act; check your state legislature's website for the current text, because states amend these laws from time to time.
What changes from state to state
- Extra exclusions. The uniform text excludes wills and most of the UCC. Some states add more. California's Civil Code § 1633.3 is the longest list (certain consumer credit, insurance and real estate documents, and eviction notices). New York's ESRA § 307 excludes wills, trusts and powers of attorney that dispose of property at death or incapacity, and most negotiable instruments.
- Online notarization. Most states now allow remote online notarization (RON) under their own statutes, with different start dates and rules. California's law isn't operational yet.
- Electronic wills. A growing number of states allow electronic wills under separate laws. New York's takes effect on December 12, 2027.
- Government filings. Each state decides which agencies accept electronic signatures and how (UETA §§ 17–19 are optional for that reason).
The biggest states at a glance
| State | Law | Notable state exclusions | Online notarization |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | UETA (Civil Code §§ 1633.1–1633.17) | Long list of consumer finance, insurance and real estate documents, plus eviction notices (§ 1633.3) | Enacted 2023 (SB 696); operational no later than January 1, 2030 |
| Texas | UETA (Bus. & Com. Code ch. 322) | Wills, most of the UCC, certain court-related documents (§ 322.003) | Yes, since July 1, 2018 (Gov't Code § 406.101 et seq.) |
| Florida | UETA (§ 668.50) and § 668.004 | Wills, most of the UCC, rules of court procedure (§ 668.50(3)) | Yes, since January 1, 2020 (§§ 117.201–117.305) |
| New York | ESRA (State Technology Law §§ 301–309), not UETA | Wills, trusts and powers of attorney disposing of property at death or incapacity; negotiable instruments (§ 307) | Yes, since January 31, 2023 (Executive Law § 135-c) |
| Illinois | UETA (815 ILCS 333), since June 25, 2021 | Wills, most of the UCC | Remote and electronic notarization under the Illinois Notary Public Act; check the Secretary of State |
What doesn't change
- The federal ESIGN exclusions (§ 7003): wills, family law, court documents, certain foreclosure, eviction, utility and insurance notices, product recalls and hazardous materials. See which documents can't be signed electronically.
- Consumer consent under ESIGN § 7001(c) when a law requires information to be provided in writing.
- The need for proof. In every state, if someone denies signing, the party relying on the signature has to show it was theirs. California courts upheld a signature when the employer explained the process with unique credentials, date, time and IP address (Espejo, 2016) and rejected others when the company couldn't explain it (Ruiz, 2014; Fabian, 2019).
More on that proof in are electronic signatures legally binding?; when you need a notary, in e-signature vs. notarization.
This is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, ask a lawyer licensed in your state.
FAQs
In which states are electronic signatures not valid?
None. They're valid in all 50 states and D.C.: under UETA in 49 states and D.C., under ESRA in New York, and under the federal ESIGN Act everywhere.
Which states have not adopted UETA?
Only New York, which has its own Electronic Signatures and Records Act. Washington adopted UETA in 2020 and Illinois in 2021.
Is a contract e-signed in one state valid in another?
Yes. ESIGN covers transactions in interstate commerce, and every state's law recognizes electronic signatures. Which state's contract law applies is a separate question, often settled by a choice-of-law clause.
Which state has the most exclusions?
California. Civil Code § 1633.3 excludes a long list of specific consumer, credit, insurance and real estate documents, and eviction notices.
Which documents are excluded in every state?
Wills and testamentary trusts, family law matters, most of the UCC, court documents, and certain foreclosure, eviction, utility shut-off and insurance cancellation notices (ESIGN § 7003). Plus anything that requires a notary.
Can I notarize online in any state?
In most states, yes, with identity checks and a recorded video session. California's law won't be operational until January 1, 2030 at the latest. Check your Secretary of State's website.
Official sources
- Cornell LII: 15 U.S.C. § 7001 (ESIGN Act)
- Cornell LII: 15 U.S.C. § 7002 (exemption to preemption, UETA)
- Uniform Law Commission: Electronic Transactions Act
- California Legislative Information: Civil Code § 1633.3 (exclusions)
- New York State Senate: State Technology Law § 304 (ESRA)
- New York State Senate: State Technology Law § 307 (exceptions)
- Texas Legislature: Business & Commerce Code ch. 322
- Florida Legislature: Statutes § 668.50
- Washington State Legislature: RCW 1.80 (UETA, 2020)
- Illinois General Assembly: 815 ILCS 333 (UETA, 2021)
- California Secretary of State: Notary Public Handbook (Online Notarization Act, SB 696)
We checked each source on November 6, 2026. If you spot something out of date, write to us at info@multidocs.es.