*About: Electronic signatures (eSignatures) at McGill


Service overview | Who can use it | How to request & access | Cost | Availability | FAQs | Best practices & policies | Training & documentation | Support

Service overview

An electronic signature or eSignature is a digital version of a handwritten signature and is a legal way of recording consent or approval on electronic documents and forms.

In general, there are 3 types of eSignatures, two of which are available at McGill:

Which eSignature solutions are available at McGill?

Basic eSignature

Trusted eSignature


Who can use it

Adobe Acrobat Reader: All McGill users.

DocuSign: This pilot project is available to selected users (students, faculty and staff members) who need to use eSignature for work purposes.


How to request & access the service

Adobe Acrobat Reader: If the application is not installed on your computer, you can download it for free from the Adobe website.

DocuSign: For more information, see How to request & access the service in the article *About: DocuSign eSignature.


Cost

There is no cost associated with the creation of eSignatures using Adobe Acrobat Reader or DocuSign.


Availability

The service is available 24 X 7, except during planned maintenance or outages. Check the home page of the IT Support site for announcements.

During the DocuSign pilot phase, all eSignature features may not be available and/or may be restricted due to the limited number of licenses available.


Frequently asked questions

Is Adobe self-signed certificate more secure than Adobe Fill & Sign?

No, both options offer the same level of security. Sending a signed document via your McGill email address provides more authenticity to the signature, much like two-factor authentication (2FA) does for your credentials, whether you have signed with Fill & Sign or a self-signed certificate / Digital ID.

Can I choose between Adobe Fill & Sign and self-signed certificate / Digital ID?

Yes, in most cases. However, some forms may have been configured specifically for signature with a certificate. In this case, you can only sign with a self-signed certificate / Digital ID and the Fill & Sign option will be unavailable.

Why is Adobe Acrobat Reader's Fill & Sign option recommended over a self-signed certificate / Digital ID?

Fill & Sign is recommended because it is easier to use. Use a self-signed certificate / Digital ID only when specified by the sender and the Fill & Sign option is unavailable.

Do I need to purchase Adobe Acrobat Pro to use basic eSignature in Adobe Acrobat Reader?

No, the eSignature features are included in the free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

If I sign with a self-signed certificate, will the document have a higher legal value?

No, it remains a basic eSignature. Only certification from a recognized third party will give high reliability.

How do I decide if I should use Adobe Acrobat Reader or DocuSign?

Consult the decision chart to determine which solution is best suited for your situation.

What is the difference between eSignature and digital eSignature?

An eSignature is the capture and storage of metadata (e.g., date, time, IP address, etc.), and audit trail associated with an electronic signing process.

A digital eSignature is a specific type of eSignature that has an additional signer authentication element. Digital signatures include a personal digital certificate that is issued only when the identity of the signer is validated. This certificate must be issued by a third-party provider (for higher legal value).

If I send a document through DocuSign, is it more secure than sending it via email?

As DocuSign authentication relies on email, it has the same level of security as anyone using a McGill email address.

Find more FAQs on the DocuSign support site.


Best practices & policies

Before selecting an eSignature solution, consult the decision chart.


Training & documentation

Create an eSignature with Adobe Acrobat Reader

*About: DocuSign eSignature


Support

Contact the IT Service Desk for help with access/authentication issues.