Electronic signature in Colombia and Latin America
Sign contracts, NDAs and legal documents with the strongest evidentiary support in Latin America: signer video, document hash anchored to blockchain, and full compliance with Colombia's Law 527.
What is an electronic signature?
An electronic signature is a legal mechanism that allows you to sign digital documents with the same legal force as a handwritten signature. In Colombia it is governed by Law 527 of 1999 and Decree 2364 of 2012, and has been upheld by the Supreme Court and the Council of State. Most Latin American countries have equivalent frameworks (Argentina Law 25,506; Mexico NOM-151; Chile Law 19,799; Peru Law 27,269).
Electronic signature vs. digital signature
These are related but distinct concepts:
Electronic signature
Any electronic data attached to a document that fulfills the function of a signature: an on-screen stroke, evidentiary video, SMS code, or blockchain hash. Validocus uses this model with reinforced evidentiary support.
Digital signature
A specific subtype of electronic signature that uses asymmetric cryptography (public/private keys) issued by an accredited Digital Certification Authority (Andes SCD, GSE, Certicámara). Requires a current certificate and an in-person enrollment process.
Use cases
Human Resources
Signing of employment contracts, amendments, offer letters, data-processing authorizations, and performance reviews. Cuts onboarding from 7 days to 1 hour.
Real estate
Lease agreements, purchase promises, agency authorizations, and insurance policies. Remote signing with co-signers anywhere — no physical travel required.
Fintech and banking
Account openings, credit agreements, direct-debit authorizations, electronic promissory notes. Compliant with SARLAFT and financial-superintendence regulations.
Legal teams
NDAs, B2B commercial contracts, board minutes, special powers of attorney, certifications. Auditable chain of custody anchored to blockchain.
How does it work?
- 1
Upload the PDF you need to sign and add the signers (email and basic data).
- 2
Each signer receives an email with a unique link — opens it on a mobile device or desktop.
- 3
The signer reviews the document, draws their signature on screen, and records an evidentiary video (optional but recommended).
- 4
Validocus generates an SHA-256 hash of the signed document and registers it on the Avalanche blockchain.
- 5
You download the signed PDF and the evidence certificate (timestamp, hash, video, blockchain TX).
Frequently asked questions
What is an electronic signature?
An electronic signature is a legal mechanism for signing documents digitally, binding a person's identity to an electronic document with the same legal force as a handwritten signature. In Colombia it is governed by Law 527 of 1999 and Decree 2364 of 2012.
What's the difference between an electronic signature and a digital signature?
An electronic signature is the broader category: any electronic data attached to a document that fulfills a signature's function (on-screen stroke, evidentiary video, SMS code, etc.). A digital signature is a specific subtype that uses asymmetric cryptography certified by an authority. Validocus implements a reinforced electronic signature with evidentiary video and blockchain registration — the legal equivalent of a handwritten signature in most Latin American jurisdictions.
Is the Validocus electronic signature admissible in court?
Yes. Validocus produces robust evidentiary support: an SHA-256 hash of the document registered on blockchain (immutable and publicly verifiable), a video of the signer explicitly accepting the contract, a timestamp from a time-stamping server, plus IP and device data. This evidence chain is admissible in civil, commercial, and labor proceedings under Law 527.
What types of documents can I sign?
Employment and service contracts, commercial contracts, NDAs, confidentiality agreements, lease agreements, insurance policies, data-processing authorizations, offer letters, minutes, certifications, and any PDF that requires a legally backed signature.
How much does it cost to sign a document with Validocus?
You can start with a 30-day free trial with no credit card required — full access to electronic signature, evidentiary video, and blockchain registration. Create your account and explore custom plans based on the volume you need.
How do you sign from a mobile phone?
The signer receives an email with a unique link. They open it on any phone or computer, view the document, draw their signature on screen, and optionally record the evidentiary video. The flow is mobile-optimized — 78% of signatures on our platform are completed from a phone.
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