How to handle CRLs correctly in long-term electronic signatures?

Electronic John Hancock

• What's the best way to handle an electronic signature on a website-hosted submission form? You're not my lawyer or programmer, but I need help wrapping my head around an online form that submits to secure database that must include a digital signature, as requested by the client. (If it has any legal ramifications, my company and our client are both located in Mississippi.) We have to program two secure forms: credit review/application and employment application. Both will be SSL protected and will be stored in online databases, not sent over email. The client is asking that both feature online signatures, but will not explain why, what they need, etc. Their only reasoning is that "we ask for signatures on the printed forms since Day 1, why should the website be any different?". With that said, what must the forms contain to be legally binding and/or serve as proof that the submitter read/understands/validates their own info? A simple checkbox or yes/no? Enter in name? Type in initials? Sign a piece of paper and upload JPG scan?

• Answer:

  Speaking very generally, a person entering their name manually into a system is considered a signature for purposes of accepting an offer or entering an agreement. If I were to reply to a contract via telegraph with "I ACCEPT, JAIRUS" that would be considered a signature. I would have the user type in their name or initials into a form field that says something to the effect of "By typing in my name I agree that I have read the blah blah blah and agree to the blah blah blah".