Digital Signing Regulations in Singapore — What You Need to Know (2026)
Singapore's Electronic Transactions Act (ETA) recognizes three levels of electronic signatures. Understanding which level your organization needs is crucial for compliance.
Three Levels of E-Signatures in Singapore
1. Simple Electronic Signature
Any electronic indication of intent — typing your name, clicking "I agree", drawing a signature on a tablet. Low legal weight, suitable for internal documents.
2. Secure Electronic Signature
Uses a digital certificate from an accredited Certificate Authority. Provides higher assurance of signer identity and document integrity. OneSigner operates at this level.
3. Qualified Electronic Signature
Requires an accredited CA and hardware security module (HSM or USB token). Highest legal weight — equivalent to a handwritten signature. OneSigner with EV certificates on USB tokens meets this standard.
Why Hardware Tokens Matter
Software-based signing stores private keys on disk — vulnerable to theft. Hardware tokens (SafeNet eToken, YubiKey) keep the private key physically secured. The key never leaves the device, even during signing.
For organizations dealing with government contracts, financial documents, or regulated industries, hardware-based signing is often mandatory.
IRAS and ACRA Requirements
Singapore's Inland Revenue Authority (IRAS) and Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) increasingly accept digitally signed documents for filing. Using a qualified electronic signature streamlines submission and reduces processing time.
How OneSigner Helps
OneSigner automates the signing process while maintaining compliance:
- Signs with hardware-secured certificates (USB tokens)
- Supports accredited CAs recognized in Singapore
- Maintains audit trail via API logs
- One-time purchase — no per-signature fees