dhSign is dealhead’s secure electronic signature solution, purpose-built to meet the legal and operational requirements of mergers and acquisitions. Every signature is tied to a verified User, captured with explicit consent, and protected with tamper-proof records that stand up to regulatory and legal scrutiny.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
dhSign meets the requirements of leading U.S. electronic signature laws:
Law / Standard | Scope | dhSign Compliance Approach |
ESIGN Act (Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act) | Establishes legal validity of electronic signatures in the U.S. | Requires explicit intent, verified identity, and secure record retention |
UETA (Uniform Electronic Transactions Act) | Sets rules for using electronic records and signatures in state-level commerce | Ensures consent, attribution, and audit-ready records |
Our compliance approach includes:
Explicit intent: Users must approve each document after reviewing it in full.
Consent to e-signatures: Confirmed through platform use and reinforced for each transaction.
Attribution: Each signature is linked to a verified User account with multi-factor authentication.
Record retention: Signed documents and audit logs are stored indefinitely, with integrity safeguards.
Secure Signature Workflow
Every signing event follows a controlled process:
Authentication – Signers log in with verified credentials and multi-factor authentication.
Document review – The final version is presented in full before approval.
Intent capture – The User confirms approval, applying their signature to the document.
Locking and metadata – The signed document is locked, and metadata is generated to prevent tampering.
Certificate of Completion (CoC)
When a document reaches Executed / Final status, dhSign automatically generates a standalone PDF Certificate of Completion, downloadable alongside the executed agreement. It includes:
Document ID (dh-prefixed UUID) and SHA-256 hash for integrity verification.
Completed timestamp in UTC.
Signatory details such as name, email, authentication method, signature adoption and approval times, and delegation flag.
Document metadata such as title, project, milestone, participating teams, and dhVersion.
Signature event log showing the key actions that led to execution.
Compliance statement with ESIGN/UETA notice, hash verification instructions, and a link to the in-app history.
The CoC provides a tamper-proof, audit-ready record for regulatory reviews, dispute resolution, or due diligence. A sample CoC is shown below:
Security and Fraud Prevention
Security Measure | Purpose / Benefit |
Tamper-proofing | Document hashes ensure no changes after signing; version control preserves all iterations |
Non-repudiation | Multi-factor authentication and detailed audit logs prove who signed and when |
Data protection | Encryption in transit and at rest, with backups to ensure continued availability |
Why dhSign Works for M&A
Traditional M&A signing processes often rely on generic e-signature products or manual signature packets. These approaches create risks and inefficiencies that slow deals and increase costs. dhSign is designed specifically for M&A transactions, eliminating these pain points while maintaining the highest standards for authentication and record-keeping.
Compared to traditional methods, dhSign:
Preserves signature authenticity: Each signature is tied to the complete, final agreement and fully logged in the Certificate of Completion. This prevents detached or prematurely applied signatures.
Reduces legal and operational risk: Only the final, executed version of a document can be signed, and all compiled agreements are tamper-proof.
Eliminates manual packet handling: Automatic compilation replaces the need to save, extract, resend, and attach signature pages by hand.
Cuts attorney time and costs: Automation removes repetitive administrative work so legal teams can focus on strategic tasks.
Provides a permanent system of record: Users have secure, subscription-free access to executed documents and Certificates of Completion, even after closing.
Improves client experience: The process is faster, more transparent, and aligned with attorney-client workflows, reducing friction at critical deal stages.
By replacing fragmented, high-risk signing processes with a secure, M&A-specific workflow, dhSign delivers greater speed, lower cost, and stronger legal defensibility.