Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (Utah) and the federal ESIGN Act

Plain-English summary

Utah's Uniform Electronic Transactions Act and the federal ESIGN Act give electronic records and electronic signatures legal effect. A record or signature may not be denied legal effect solely because it is in electronic form, and where a law requires a signature, an electronic signature can satisfy it.

Key provisions

• Agreement to transact electronically: the acts apply to transactions where the parties have agreed to conduct the transaction by electronic means.
• Legal recognition: contracts formed with electronic records and signatures are not invalid solely because of their electronic form.
• Exceptions: both acts exclude certain categories, such as wills and some notices.
• Consumer consent: ESIGN sets disclosure and consent requirements before electronic records replace required written notices to consumers.

Who it affects

Anyone signing or sending agreements electronically.