What Is an Audit Trail?
Every completed document in ZiaSign includes an Audit Trail — a chronological record of activity from creation to completion.
What Gets Recorded
Each audit trail entry includes:
| Data Point | Example |
|---|---|
| Action | Document created, sent, viewed, signed, completed |
| Timestamp | 2026-04-15T14:32:07Z (UTC, millisecond precision) |
| Actor | Name and email of the person who performed the action |
| IP Address | 203.0.113.42 |
| Device / Browser | Chrome 124 on macOS 15.3 |
| Authentication | Email link, access code, or email OTP verification |
| Location | Approximate geolocation from IP (country/region) |
Certificate of Completion
When all parties have signed, ZiaSign generates a Certificate of Completion that is appended to the final PDF. The certificate includes:
- A unique document ID
- The complete audit trail in human-readable format
- A cryptographic hash (SHA-256) of the signed document
- Signer details: name, email, signature image, IP address, and timestamp
Document Integrity
Available document records can include cryptographic hashes that help detect unexpected changes to a completed file. Review the record together with your own requirements before relying on it.
Legal Considerations
Electronic-signature requirements vary by document type, configuration, and jurisdiction. ZiaSign does not provide legal advice; consult qualified counsel to assess your specific use case.
Downloading the Audit Trail
You can download the audit trail at any time:
- Open the document from your dashboard
- Click the Audit Trail tab
- Click Download to get a PDF with the complete trail
The audit trail is also embedded in the final signed document as the last page(s).
Frequently asked questions
Can I rely on an electronic signature for my use case?
Electronic-signature requirements vary by document type, configuration, and jurisdiction. Review your requirements with qualified legal counsel.
What information does the audit trail capture?
The audit trail records every action: document creation, sends, views, field completions, signature events, IP addresses, timestamps, browser/device info, and authentication methods.
How should I use the audit record?
Review the available activity record alongside your own policies and recordkeeping requirements. Consult qualified counsel when an evidentiary assessment is needed.
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