Wet signature
A wet signature is a person's handwritten signature, made in ink on paper.
In plain words
"Wet" refers to the ink. The term came into use once electronic signatures became common, to tell the old way apart from the new one. A wet signature is a physical mark on a physical page. Its evidence is the paper itself, the ink and, sometimes, a witness or notary.
For most business documents in the US, an electronic signature can't be refused just for being electronic. So the question is rarely "is a wet signature required by law?" It is more often "does this particular document, or this particular office, still want one?"
When a wet signature may still be needed
- Documents outside ESIGN and UETA. Wills, codicils and testamentary trusts, family law matters, and court papers are excluded from ESIGN. Other law may or may not allow e-signing them.
- Recording offices and lenders. Some deeds and mortgage papers have their own recording or custody rules, though claims that they always need ink are overbroad.
- Some agency forms. Certain government forms have their own signature rules. Check the agency's current guidance.
- A party's choice. Under UETA, nobody has to deal electronically. A person can insist on paper.
An example
A tenant is asked to sign a lease online and prefers paper. On the signing page they choose Request paper. The landlord is told, prints the lease and the tenant signs it in ink. The electronic record shows the request, so nobody can say the tenant was refused.
How it shows up in docuinked
docuinked doesn't handle wet signatures. Every signing page includes Request paper next to Decline, at any point before signing. Each choice is logged, the sender is told and the document.declined webhook fires. You then follow up outside docuinked.
Common confusions
A scan is not a wet signature. A scanned, signed page is a picture of a wet signature. Once it is emailed, it is an electronic record, and its weight depends on who can show what about it.
"Wet ink required" is often habit. Many offices ask for ink out of custom, not law. Ask what rule they rely on.
Related terms
Sources
Checked 2026-11-07.
This page is general information, not legal advice.
Common questions
Is a wet signature stronger than an electronic one?
Not by default. Each is as strong as the evidence behind it. An e-signature with a detailed record can be easier to prove than ink with no witness.
Can I mix wet and electronic signatures on one contract?
Many contracts allow signing in counterparts, where each party signs their own copy. Whether that suits your document is a question for your lawyer. docuinked only records the electronic signatures.
What should I do when a signer asks for paper?
Send them a paper copy by your normal route and keep the request on file. Don't pressure them back to the electronic link.
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