As the world is becoming digital, it is very important to have a contract that is both enforceable and clear. 

Online contracts offer quick and easy means for parties to make agreements without having to deal with the trouble of the traditional hefty paper documentation process.

In Saudi Arabia, electronic signatures are a safe, authorized, and practical method of signing contracts, invoices, and agreements.

It expedites the time needed to complete a transaction and provides a simple means of communication with your partners, suppliers, and customers. 

Knowing how to create online contracts is crucial, whether you’re the owner of a small company trying to protect your interests or a freelancer dealing with clients all over the world. 

Keep reading to know all about the legal and technical implications of electronic signatures. 

This step-by-step guide will also explore all the various kinds of E-signatures that are acceptable in Saudi Arabia.

Process for Signing Online Contracts Electronically in Saudi Arabia

If you want to use a digital signature software in Saudi Arabia to sign contracts, invoices, or agreements, you usually need to do the following:

1. Find digital signature software services in Jeddah, Riyadh, or anywhere else in Saudi Arabia that suit your requirements such as Signit, Saudi signature platform.
2. Create a contract on the platform. You can also use already-available templates on the Signit signature platform to create your online contract.

     3. Upload the contracts, agreements, purchase orders, invoices, and other documents you need to sign. 

     4. Determine which sections of the document require your signature.

      5. Place your e-signature on the designated sections with the help of your selected electronic signature software.

      6. Add any extra signatories and send an email invitation to sign the paper.

       7.  The signed document can be downloaded or simply archived for later use when everyone has signed it.

Please keep in mind that the processes may differ depending on which digital signature service you use. 

Of course, if you are using Signit, then the current process will work for you as well. Simply sign-up for Signit and start creating contracts for free!

What are the Features of a Good Digital Signature Software?

A digital signature software as a service (SaaS) needs to include the following features to set itself apart from its competitors:

Legal Compliance: The electronic signature software should abide by all laws and rules that are relevant to the sector in KSA.

Digital Seal & Certificate: The ability to use an encrypted method and examine the certificate and seal to confirm the digital signature’s legitimacy. 

Document Management: The software should have archiving service to save copies of documents signed for personal records

Multiple Document Formats: The software should support multiple document formats.

Security & Encryption: Verify the platform’s security measures, such as access restriction and encryption, to ensure that the signing process is safe.

Signature Tracking: The tracking feature lets you know when and which signatories have signed the contract.

Signature Notifications & Reminders: Setting the document’s expiration date and setting up reminders to remind signers to finish the procedure are both options. 

Workflow Automation: Automation of the process of drafting contracts and agreements to reduce manual intervention.

These are some of the defining features of secured and compliant e-signature software in Saudi Arabia. 

Keep reading more to know how Signit ticks off all the boxes and is the best electronic signature software in KSA.

Legality and Validity of Digital Signatures in Saudi Arabia

Digital signatures are now a vital tool for Saudi Arabia and the international market. In addition to offering legal clarity and non-alteration, they enable safe and effective computerized transactions. 

The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) oversees the use of digital signatures in Saudi Arabia under the Cybersecurity framework and has published a number of rules and recommendations regarding their implementation.

Legal Framework of Digital Signature in Saudi Arabia

The Electronic Transactions Law (ETL) in Saudi Arabia recognizes digital signatures as legally binding. This law, enacted in 2007, established the legal foundation for e-commerce in Saudi Arabia, including the application of electronic signatures.

The digital signature is defined by ETL as “an electronic signature is produced by a digital certificate and serves to verify the signer’s identity as well as to protect the confidentiality and integrity of the digital document.”

Additionally, the ETL verifies that digital signatures are legally equivalent to handwritten ones. This implies that electronically signed contracts, invoices, and agreements have the same legal compliance and effect as those signed on paper.

Technical Requirements for Digital Signatures in Saudi Arabia

SAMA has set technical requirements for the use of electronic signatures in order to guarantee reliability and security. Based on global best practices, these standards are intended to guarantee the integrity, validity, and non-alteration of digital files.

Digital certificates issued by certified certificate authorities (CCAs) are part of Saudi Arabia’s technical requirements for digital signatures. Electronic certificates guarantee the authenticity of the digital document and verify the signer’s identity.

Digital certificates issued by certified certificate authorities (CCAs) are part of Saudi Arabia’s technical requirements for digital signatures. Electronic certificates are used to guarantee the authenticity of the digital document and to verify the signer’s identity.

Because they offer legal protection and non-repudiation for online transactions, digital signatures are a crucial tool for Saudi Arabian firms.

Based on global best practices, SAMA has developed technological and legal frameworks for their use. Signit is a Saudi-hosted platform, and it has tailored its software to meet the demands of Saudi companies of all kinds.

Choosing the Best Electronic Signature Software in Saudi Arabia

Feeling stuck finding the right electronic signature platform for your business in Saudi Arabia? One that is legally compliant and offers the peace of mind that you need to keep your contracts digitally secure? Then Signit is your one-step solution. 

Signit is Saudi Arabia’s first Arabic e-signature solution. It is a quick, easy, and safe platform to establish secure and long-lasting business partnerships.

Its user-friendly interface cuts down on agreement response times by 80% and makes the signing process efficient for all the parties involved. 

Any contract created with Signit has a digital audit trail and a Signit seal, which makes it legally compliant with Saudi law.

This platform is also encrypted, which protects all the confidential data. Moreover, it has 24/7 native customer support available to address any of the customer inquiries from within Saudi Arabia.