Certificate Authority (CA) list for e-signatures

Understanding Certificate Authorities in e-Signatures

In the digital age, electronic signatures (e-signatures) have become essential for secure, efficient business transactions. At the heart of ensuring their legal validity and security lies the role of Certificate Authorities (CAs). These entities issue digital certificates that verify the identity of signers and protect against fraud, making them a cornerstone of compliant e-signature ecosystems. This article explores key CAs relevant to e-signatures, their integration with popular platforms, and regional regulatory considerations, offering a balanced view for businesses evaluating options.

Certificate Authorities act as trusted third parties that validate identities and issue Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificates. In e-signatures, these certificates enable advanced electronic signatures (AES) or qualified electronic signatures (QES), which carry the highest legal weight in many jurisdictions. Unlike basic e-signatures that rely on simple authentication like email verification, CA-backed signatures use cryptographic keys to ensure non-repudiation—meaning once signed, the document cannot be altered without detection.

From a commercial perspective, selecting the right CA integration can impact compliance costs, processing speed, and scalability. Businesses operating globally must navigate varying standards, where CAs bridge technical reliability with legal enforceability. Below, we delve into prominent CAs and how they support e-signature workflows.

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Key Certificate Authorities for e-Signatures

A comprehensive list of CAs for e-signatures includes globally recognized providers that specialize in PKI services. These CAs are audited for trustworthiness and often align with standards like WebTrust for CAs or ISO 27001. Here’s a curated selection of leading CAs, focusing on those commonly integrated into e-signature platforms:

Global and Enterprise-Focused CAs

• DigiCert: One of the largest CAs, DigiCert issues SSL/TLS certificates and digital signature certificates used in e-signatures. It’s trusted by enterprises for its robust validation processes, including Extended Validation (EV) certificates that provide high-assurance identity proofing. DigiCert supports eIDAS-compliant QES in Europe and is integrated into platforms for secure document signing. Businesses value its scalability for high-volume transactions, though costs can rise with custom integrations.

• GlobalSign: A subsidiary of GMO Internet, GlobalSign offers CA services tailored for e-signatures, including timestamping and code signing. It’s particularly strong in mobile and IoT-enabled signatures, with support for ETSI standards in Europe. From a commercial standpoint, its API-driven model appeals to developers building custom e-signature flows, but it may require additional fees for regional compliance add-ons.

• Sectigo (formerly Comodo CA): Known for affordable, high-volume certificate issuance, Sectigo provides e-signature solutions like client certificates for AES. It’s popular among SMBs due to its cost-effectiveness and quick issuance times—often under 24 hours. Sectigo’s integration with multi-factor authentication (MFA) enhances security, though some users note occasional support delays in complex deployments.

• Entrust: Focused on enterprise security, Entrust delivers managed PKI services for e-signatures, including hardware security modules (HSMs) for key storage. It’s ideal for regulated industries like finance and healthcare, offering compliance with standards such as FIPS 140-2. Commercially, Entrust’s strength lies in its global trust network, but it targets larger organizations, potentially overkill for small teams.

Regional and Specialized CAs

• SwissSign: Based in Switzerland, this CA excels in eIDAS QES for the EU, providing qualified trust service provider (QTSP) status. It’s crucial for cross-border EU transactions, where signatures must meet stringent revocable certificate requirements. Businesses in Europe appreciate its data sovereignty focus, aligning with GDPR.

• Actalis: An Italian QTSP under eIDAS, Actalis issues certificates for qualified electronic time stamps (QeTS) and signatures. It’s integrated into public sector workflows in Italy and supports remote signing via video identification. For commercial users, its emphasis on legal presumptions of authenticity reduces dispute risks.

• Asia-Pacific Specialists: In regions like Hong Kong and Singapore, local CAs such as Hongkong Post Certification Authority (HKPCA) and Networked Digital Identity Services (NDIS) for Singpass play key roles. HKPCA issues certificates compliant with Hong Kong’s Electronic Transactions Ordinance (ETO), which mandates reliable electronic signatures for legal effect, similar to the U.S. ESIGN Act but with stricter record-keeping. Singapore’s Electronic Transactions Act (ETA) requires CAs to be licensed, emphasizing ecosystem integration with government digital IDs like Singpass. These laws reflect Asia’s fragmented regulatory landscape—high standards and strict oversight—contrasting with Europe’s more framework-based eIDAS regulation, which sets baseline trust services without mandating deep governmental ties.

• Other Notables: QuoVadis (now DigiCert-owned) for North American compliance under UETA/ESIGN; and TWCA (Taiwan Certificate Authority) for regional APAC needs, though global platforms often bundle these for broader coverage.

Selecting a CA depends on jurisdiction: For U.S. operations, ESIGN/UETA frameworks allow flexible CA use, focusing on intent to sign. Europe’s eIDAS divides signatures into Simple (SES), Advanced (AES), and Qualified (QES), with QES requiring accredited CAs like those listed. In APAC, regulations are ecosystem-integrated, demanding hardware/API-level docking with government systems (e.g., G2B identities), raising technical barriers beyond email-based models in the West. This fragmentation drives higher compliance costs but ensures localized trust.

Major e-Signature Platforms and CA Integrations

e-Signature platforms leverage these CAs to deliver end-to-end solutions. From a business observation lens, platforms differentiate through CA depth, pricing, and regional support. Below, we examine key players, including their CA handling and features.

DocuSign: Enterprise Leader in e-Signatures

DocuSign dominates the market with its eSignature platform, offering plans from Personal ($10/month) to Enterprise (custom). It integrates with major CAs like DigiCert and GlobalSign for AES/QES, supporting features like Identity and Access Management (IAM) in its CLM (Contract Lifecycle Management) suite. IAM CLM provides centralized certificate management, SSO, and audit trails, ideal for large organizations needing compliance across ESIGN, eIDAS, and beyond. DocuSign’s API plans (Starter at $600/year) enable custom CA workflows, but envelope limits (e.g., 100/user/year) and seat-based pricing can escalate costs for scaling teams. It’s reliable for global ops but faces criticism for APAC latency and add-on fees for SMS/IDV.

Adobe Sign: Seamless Integration Giant

Adobe Sign, part of Adobe Document Cloud, emphasizes workflow automation with CA support via partners like Entrust and Sectigo. It offers tiers starting at $10/user/month, with advanced plans including QES for eIDAS compliance. Key strengths include deep integration with Adobe Acrobat for PDF handling and conditional logic fields. For regulated sectors, Adobe’s CA ecosystem ensures timestamping and non-repudiation, aligning with U.S. and EU laws. However, its pricing is seat-based, and APAC customization can add complexity, making it better suited for creative/digital-heavy businesses rather than high-volume transactional ones.

eSignGlobal: APAC-Optimized Challenger

eSignGlobal positions itself as a cost-effective alternative, compliant in over 100 mainstream countries worldwide, with a strong edge in APAC. Its platform supports unlimited users without seat fees, starting at the Essential plan ($16.6/month equivalent annually), allowing up to 100 documents for signing, access code verification, and seamless integrations like Hong Kong’s iAM Smart and Singapore’s Singpass. In APAC’s fragmented, high-standard regulatory environment—characterized by strict oversight and ecosystem-integrated standards (e.g., deep G2B docking via APIs/hardware, far exceeding Western email/self-declaration models)—eSignGlobal excels by natively handling local CAs and identities. Globally, it’s expanding to compete with DocuSign and Adobe Sign through lower pricing and features like AI contract tools, bulk sends, and SSO, all while maintaining ESIGN/eIDAS alignment. This makes it a pragmatic choice for cross-border firms prioritizing regional compliance without premium costs.

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HelloSign (Dropbox Sign) and Other Competitors

HelloSign, now Dropbox Sign, offers straightforward e-signing with CA integrations like Sectigo for basic AES. Priced at $15/user/month, it shines in simplicity and Dropbox ecosystem ties but lacks advanced QES depth. Other players like SignNow (airSlate) provide affordable CA options for SMBs, while PandaDoc focuses on sales proposals with timestamping via GlobalSign.

Comparative Overview of e-Signature Platforms

To aid decision-making, here’s a neutral comparison based on public data:

This table highlights trade-offs: Western platforms lead in maturity, while APAC-focused ones offer cost and localization edges.

Navigating CA Choices for Business Growth

In summary, the CA landscape for e-signatures is diverse, with providers like DigiCert and regional specialists ensuring compliance amid varying laws—from ESIGN’s flexibility to APAC’s integrated rigor. Businesses should assess needs based on volume, regions, and budget. For DocuSign users seeking alternatives, eSignGlobal emerges as a solid regional compliance option with competitive pricing and broad global support.