# E-signature glossary

This glossary defines the words that come up when you send, sign or build signing into software, in plain language, with a note on how each one works in docuinked.

## Law and standards

| Term | In one line |
|---|---|
| [Electronic signature](/glossary/electronic-signature) | A sound, symbol or process a person adopts with intent to sign |
| [Digital signature](/glossary/digital-signature) | Cryptography over a file that shows it hasn't changed |
| [ESIGN Act](/glossary/esign-act) | The US federal law that stops a signature being refused just for being electronic |
| [UETA](/glossary/ueta) | The model state law with the same core rule |
| [eIDAS](/glossary/eidas) | The EU rules, with simple, advanced and qualified levels |
| [Consumer disclosure](/glossary/consumer-disclosure) | What a consumer must see before electronic records replace paper |
| [Wet signature](/glossary/wet-signature) | A handwritten signature in ink on paper |
| [Notarization](/glossary/notarization) | A commissioned notary confirming identity and witnessing a signature |

## Proof and integrity

| Term | In one line |
|---|---|
| [PAdES](/glossary/pades) | The standard for digital signatures inside PDFs |
| [RFC 3161 timestamp](/glossary/rfc-3161-timestamp) | A signed token from an outside clock proving when a file existed |
| [Hash](/glossary/hash) | A short fingerprint that changes if the file changes |
| [Tamper-evident](/glossary/tamper-evident) | Built so any change shows, even if it can't be stopped |
| [Audit trail](/glossary/audit-trail) | The time-ordered record of every step a document went through |
| [Certificate of completion](/glossary/certificate-of-completion) | A readable summary of who signed and when |
| [Access code](/glossary/access-code) | A code shared outside email that the signer must enter |

## Sending and signing

| Term | In one line |
|---|---|
| [Envelope](/glossary/envelope) | One send of files, signers and fields, as other vendors call it |
| [Template](/glossary/template) | A reusable document with fields and signer roles already placed |
| [Signing order](/glossary/signing-order) | One signer at a time, or everyone at once |
| [Bulk send](/glossary/bulk-send) | One document to many people, each with their own copy. Coming to docuinked |

## Building with it

| Term | In one line |
|---|---|
| [Embedded signing](/glossary/embedded-signing) | The signing page shown inside your own app |
| [White-label](/glossary/white-label) | Signing pages and emails in your customer's brand |
| [Webhook](/glossary/webhook) | A call to your URL when something happens |
| [Idempotency](/glossary/idempotency) | A retry has the same effect as one call |
| [MCP](/glossary/mcp) | The open protocol that lets AI agents call tools |
| [Human-in-the-loop](/glossary/human-in-the-loop) | A person approves before an automated action takes effect |

## Where to go next

For longer reads, see the [guides](/guides). To try the API, start with [test mode](/docs/test-mode). If you are connecting an agent, read [agents](/agents). For n8n, Clay, Zapier or Make, see [workflows](/workflows). To offer signing inside your own product, see [platforms](/platforms).

These definitions are general information, not legal advice.

## Common questions

### Who writes these definitions?

The docuinked team at Rook Industries. Legal points cite the statute or a named secondary source, with the date we checked it.

### Is something missing from the glossary?

Write to support@docuinked.com with the term. We add terms that people building or using signing actually run into.

### Why does each definition say how docuinked handles it?

A definition is more useful next to a real case. We also note what docuinked doesn't do, such as notarization, so you don't have to guess.