Signing Methods

Understanding the different electronic signature methods available in sajn

Signing Methods

sajn supports multiple signing methods to accommodate different use cases, security requirements, and legal needs. Each method offers a different balance between convenience and verification strength.

SES vs AES Signatures

Before choosing a signing method, it’s important to understand the two categories of electronic signatures under the eIDAS regulation:

Type	Full Name	Legal Weight	Verification
SES	Simple Electronic Signature	Legally valid, basic	Intent to sign
AES	Advanced Electronic Signature	Higher legal standing	Identity verified

For most everyday business documents, SES methods (Drawing, Click-to-Sign) provide sufficient legal validity. Use AES (BankID) for contracts requiring stronger identity verification.

Quick Comparison

Method	Type	Requirements	User Effort	Best For
DRAWING	SES	None	Medium	Personal touch, visual signatures
CLICK_TO_SIGN	SES	None	Very Low	High-volume, low-friction signing
BANKID	AES	Swedish SSN	Medium	Legal contracts, identity verification
MANUAL	N/A	Physical presence	N/A	In-person signing, legacy documents

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Drawing Signature

The drawing signature allows signers to create a free-hand signature using their mouse, trackpad, or touchscreen. This provides a personal, traditional feel while remaining fully digital.

How It Works

1. Signer opens the signing link
2. Reviews the document content
3. A signature pad appears with the confirmation: “Härmed bekräftar jag följande:” (I hereby confirm the following:)
4. Signer draws their signature using mouse or touch
5. Signature is captured and applied to the document

Requirements

• No special requirements
• Works on any device with a browser
• Touch-enabled devices provide the best experience

Best For

• Employment contracts
• Sales agreements
• Documents where a personal signature touch is desired
• Mobile-friendly signing flows

API Configuration

{
  "name": "John Doe",
  "email": "[e-mail]",
  "role": "SIGNER",
  "deliveryMethod": "EMAIL",
  "requiredSignature": "DRAWING"
}

The signature canvas is responsive: 288px width on desktop, 256px on mobile devices.

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Click-to-Sign

Click-to-Sign is the fastest signing method, requiring only two clicks to complete. Perfect for high-volume documents where speed matters more than a visual signature.

How It Works

1. Signer opens the signing link
2. Reviews the document content
3. Clicks the “Klicka för att signera” (Click to sign) button
4. A confirmation dialog appears with a 60-second countdown
5. Signer clicks “Bekräfta signering” (Confirm signing)
6. Document is signed

Requirements

• No special requirements
• Works on any device with a browser
• Fastest completion time

Best For

• Terms of service acceptance
• NDAs and standard agreements
• Internal approvals
• High-volume document workflows
• Mobile-first experiences

API Configuration

{
  "name": "John Doe",
  "email": "[e-mail]",
  "role": "SIGNER",
  "deliveryMethod": "EMAIL",
  "requiredSignature": "CLICK_TO_SIGN"
}

Click-to-Sign creates detailed audit trail entries for both the initiation click and the confirmation, providing clear evidence of intent.

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BankID

BankID is Sweden’s leading electronic identification system, providing cryptographically verified signatures. This is an Advanced Electronic Signature (AES) with the highest legal standing.

How It Works

On Desktop:

1. Signer opens the signing link
2. Reviews the document content
3. A QR code appears on screen
4. Signer scans the QR code with their phone’s BankID app
5. Confirms the signing in the BankID app
6. Document is signed with verified identity

On Mobile:

1. Signer opens the signing link
2. Reviews the document content
3. Clicks to open BankID app (or scans QR as fallback)
4. Confirms the signing in the BankID app
5. Returns to sajn with completed signature

Signing States

The BankID flow progresses through these states:

State	Description
checking	Verifying BankID availability
ready	QR code displayed, waiting for scan
waiting	QR scanned, waiting for user action in app
authenticating	User confirming in BankID app
verifying	Validating the signature
complete	Signature successfully applied

Requirements

• Swedish personal number (SSN) - required
• Signer must have BankID installed on their device
• Active BankID certificate

Best For

• Real estate transactions
• Financial agreements
• Employment contracts requiring identity verification
• Any document where verified identity is legally important
• Swedish market documents

API Configuration

{
  "name": "John Doe",
  "email": "[e-mail]",
  "ssn": "197001011234",
  "role": "SIGNER",
  "deliveryMethod": "EMAIL",
  "requiredSignature": "BANKID"
}

The SSN field is required for BankID signatures. Without a valid Swedish personal number, the signing will fail.

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Manual Signing

Manual signing is used for in-person or physical signatures. The document organizer marks the signature as complete after collecting the physical signature.

How It Works

1. Document is created with a signer set to manual signing
2. The physical signing happens outside of sajn
3. Organizer accesses the document in sajn
4. Organizer marks the signer as having signed
5. Document flow continues with remaining signers

Requirements

• Physical presence of signer
• Organizer action to confirm signing
• No digital signature UI shown to signer

Best For

• In-person meetings or closings
• Imported legacy documents
• Situations where digital signing isn’t possible
• Hybrid workflows mixing digital and physical signatures

API Configuration

{
  "name": "John Doe",
  "email": "[e-mail]",
  "role": "SIGNER",
  "deliveryMethod": "NONE",
  "requiredSignature": "MANUAL"
}

Manual signing is typically combined with deliveryMethod: "NONE" since the signer doesn’t need a digital signing link.

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Choosing the Right Method

I need the fastest signing experience

Use CLICK_TO_SIGN. It requires only two clicks and works on any device without special requirements.

I need verified signer identity

Use BANKID. It provides cryptographic identity verification and is an Advanced Electronic Signature (AES).

I want a personal, visual signature

Use DRAWING. Signers can create their own signature, providing a traditional feel.

I'm signing in person

Use MANUAL. The organizer marks the document as signed after collecting the physical signature.

I have international signers

Use DRAWING or CLICK_TO_SIGN. BankID only works for signers with Swedish personal numbers.

Comparison by Use Case

Use Case	Recommended Method	Reason
Employment contracts	DRAWING or BANKID	Personal touch or verified identity
Terms acceptance	CLICK_TO_SIGN	Minimal friction
Real estate	BANKID	Legal requirement for identity
International agreements	DRAWING	No Swedish ID required
Internal approvals	CLICK_TO_SIGN	Speed and convenience
Notarized documents	MANUAL	Requires physical presence

Mixing Methods

You can assign different signing methods to different signers on the same document:

{
  "signers": [
    {
      "name": "CEO",
      "email": "[e-mail]",
      "ssn": "197001011234",
      "requiredSignature": "BANKID",
      "signingOrder": 1
    },
    {
      "name": "Employee",
      "email": "[e-mail]",
      "requiredSignature": "DRAWING",
      "signingOrder": 2
    }
  ]
}

This allows you to require stronger verification for key signers while keeping the process simple for others.

Next Steps

Send for Signing

Learn how to send documents for signing

Identity Verification

Add extra verification steps

Signers

Learn more about signer configuration

Webhooks

Get notified when documents are signed