Signature meaning lets a sender say what each signature means, such as Reviewed or Approved, and shows it next to the signature with the signer’s printed name and the date and time. It’s on the Business plan, and an owner or admin turns it on in Settings, under Signature meaning.

What gets shown with the signature?

The signer’s printed name, the date and time they signed (in UTC and in your account’s time zone) and the meaning are drawn inside the signature box on the finished PDF, under the signature itself. The certificate of completion repeats them, along with how the signer confirmed who they were. These are the items 21 CFR 11.50 lists for a signature manifestation: the printed name, the date and time, and the meaning, such as review, approval, responsibility or authorship.

Who can be given a meaning?

Only people in your SignWren account, signing from their own emailed link. Each of them confirms who they are at the moment of signing, so the signature has to belong to an account. People outside your account sign the usual way, without a meaning.

How does the signer confirm who they are?

When they select Finish and sign, they enter their SignWren account email and their password. An account without a password, such as one that signs in with single sign-on, gets a 6-digit code at that address instead. That follows the idea in 21 CFR 11.200(a)(1) that a signature not based on biometrics uses at least two identification components, such as an identification code and a password. Five wrong tries lock the link for 15 minutes and tell the sender, and wrong passwords count toward the account’s sign-in lockout.

Can I change the meanings?

Yes. Owners and admins edit the list in Settings: up to 12 meanings of up to 40 characters each. Reviewed, Approved, Responsible and Author are there to start with. An envelope keeps the meaning it was sent with.

Does SignWren certify that we meet Part 11?

No. Signature meaning is a set of features for your own 21 CFR Part 11 program. SignWren doesn’t certify or validate that you meet Part 11: validating your system and procedures stays with your organization.

This is general information, not legal advice. Whether your records meet Part 11 is for your quality and regulatory team to decide.