Electronic signatures

An electronic signature is information in electronic form that a person creates or adopts in order to sign a record, such as a typed name, a scanned signature or a click to accept. In BC, electronic signatures are generally legally effective, subject to limited exceptions and to any specific formal requirements of the transaction.

How BC law treats it

BC's Electronic Transactions Act, SBC 2001, c 10 defines an electronic signature (s. 1) and generally permits one where a signature is required, without a test of uniqueness or security (s. 11). The Act does not apply to wills, powers of attorney for financial affairs or personal care, or documents that create or transfer interests in land and require registration (s. 2(4)); land title filings and electronic wills have their own rules.

What it means for your business

Using a reputable e-signature platform that records who signed and when makes it easier to prove a signature later.

Risks and common mistakes

Some documents, such as certain wills and land title forms, have special signing rules, so electronic signing should be confirmed first.

For the full explanation, see our entry on Electronic signature.

General information about British Columbia and Canadian law, current to October 2026. It is not legal advice.