Portal Forms

Signatures: typed vs drawn

Quick answer: Both signature types are valid for almost every school form. Use drawn signatures for permission slips and field trips; use typed signatures for policy acknowledgements where speed matters.

How each one works

Drawn signature

The form shows a blank box. The parent signs with their finger (on a phone) or mouse (on a computer). When they tap Lock signature, the box turns green and the signature is captured as a small image.

The submission stores:

• The signature image itself (visible in the printable view of the submission)
• The exact timestamp it was locked
• The IP address and browser of the device that signed it

Typed signature

Above the field is an acknowledgement statement — a short paragraph that says "by typing my full legal name below I…". Below the statement is a single text input where the parent types their name. The text appears in an italic serif font so it visually reads like a signature.

The submission stores:

• The typed name
• The acknowledgement text that was shown above it
• The exact timestamp the form was submitted
• The IP address and browser of the signing device

Which should you use?

Are these legally accepted?

Both formats are electronic signatures under U.S. federal law (the ESIGN Act of 2000) and almost every state's version of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA). For schools, this is more than sufficient for:

• Permission slips and field trip authorizations
• Medical and OTC medication consent
• Photography / media releases
• Parent handbook and policy acknowledgements
• Tuition agreements

The exception

A handful of state-mandated forms (e.g. immunization exemption statements in some states) require a wet ink signature on a specific PDF. Don't use a Portal Form signature for those — instead, use a Portal Form with a file upload field where the parent uploads the wet-signed PDF. You still get completion tracking and reminders, but the legal artifact lives on the uploaded PDF.

Where the signature shows up

Wherever a submission is reviewed, the signature is included:

• In the parent's submission history (they can re-print their own copy any time)
• In the printable PDF view (browser → Print → Save as PDF)
• In the admin Portal Forms inbox — click any submission to see the rendered form including the signature image or typed text

Tips

• Always pre-fill the typed signature with parent.full_name — the parent can edit it if they want, but the default is correct.
• Always include a "Date signed" field right after the signature, pre-filled with today. This makes the printed form clearly self-dating.
• Write a clear acknowledgement statement: "By typing my full legal name below, I acknowledge I am the parent or legal guardian of the named student and grant the permissions described in this form."

Related articles

• Field types in the form builder
• Pre-filling parent and student data
• Reviewing submissions