Is electronic signature legal in China?
Yes, with some exceptions. China's Electronic Signature Law lets parties agree to use electronic signatures, and a reliable electronic signature has the same legal force as a handwritten signature or seal. Documents on personal relations such as marriage, adoption and inheritance, and notices suspending public utilities, are excluded.
Last reviewed October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
E-signature law in China at a glance
- Status
- Legal
- Main laws
Electronic Signature Law of the People's Republic of China (amended 2015 and 2019) (2004)
Civil Code of the People's Republic of China (article 469 on data messages as written form) (2020)
- Approach
- Two-tier: basic and secure (often certificate-based) signatures
Types of electronic signature in China
Electronic signature
Data in electronic form used to identify the signer and show approval. Valid where the parties agree to use it, but the party relying on it may need to prove reliability.
Reliable electronic signature
Meets the conditions in article 13, such as signature creation data being exclusively owned and controlled by the signer and changes being detectable. It has equal legal force to a handwritten signature or seal.
What you can sign electronically in China
- Commercial and sales contracts
- Employment contracts
- Lease agreements
- Real estate transactions (the earlier exclusion was removed in 2019)
Documents that need a handwritten signature or extra formalities
- Documents relating to personal relations such as marriage, adoption and inheritance
- Documents on the suspension of public utilities such as water, heating and gas supply
- Other cases where laws or administrative regulations say electronic documents do not apply
Contracts that must be “in writing”
The Civil Code treats data messages that can show their content and be accessed at any time as written form. Under the Electronic Signature Law, a data message meeting the law's conditions satisfies a written form requirement.
E-signatures in China: frequently asked questions
Are e-signed contracts valid in China?
Yes, where the parties agree to use electronic signatures. A reliable electronic signature has the same legal force as a handwritten signature or company seal.
Can real estate documents be signed electronically in China?
Yes. The 2019 amendment removed the exclusion for transfers of land and housing rights, although local registration rules still apply.
Can a company chop be replaced by an e-signature?
A reliable electronic signature has the same force as a seal under article 14. Many businesses use electronic seals issued by licensed providers.
Sources
This page is general information about e-signature law in China, not legal advice. It was last reviewed in October 2026, and laws change. Check the official sources above or ask a lawyer in China before you rely on an electronic signature for an important document. See also whether electronic signatures are legal.
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