Fax a Signed Document from Your Phone
No scanner? No problem. Take a photo of your signed document and fax it instantly from your phone.
Last updated: May 2026
Faxing Signed Documents in One Paragraph
Faxed signatures are legally equivalent to original ink signatures in nearly all U.S. commercial and government contexts under the federal ESIGN Act of 2000 (15 U.S.C. § 7001) and state-level adoption of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA), which 49 states have enacted (New York uses its own ESRA equivalent). To fax a signed document, take a clear photo of each signed page, upload to FaxTerra, and send. The recipient gets a faxed image that has the same legal effect as if you had personally delivered the original.
When Faxed Signatures Are NOT Sufficient
A small set of documents are excluded from ESIGN/UETA and still require original ink or notarized signatures:
- **Wills, codicils, and testamentary trusts** — most states require original signatures with witnesses present.
- **Certain family-law documents** — adoption, divorce decrees in some states.
- **Court orders requiring original signatures** — judges may require ink-on-paper service.
- **Some real estate transfers in specific states** — most allow faxed signatures via UETA, but a handful (and certain transaction types) require original recording.
- **Notarized documents** — the notary block itself requires original ink and an embossed or inked seal; you can fax the document to the notary, but the final notarized copy must be ink-signed.
For everything else — commercial contracts, leases, employment agreements, government forms, medical authorizations, insurance applications, financial account openings — faxed signatures are accepted.
How to Take a Phone Photo That Faxes Cleanly
Place the signed page on a flat surface (no folds or creases). Use natural daylight if possible; avoid yellow indoor lighting which dulls contrast. Hold your phone directly above the page — not at an angle — so the page is rectangular in the frame, not trapezoidal. Make sure the entire page is in the frame and no shadows fall across the signature line. iPhones and most Android phones have a built-in document scan mode (in Notes on iOS, or Google Drive on Android) that auto-corrects perspective and contrast — use it if available. FaxTerra accepts JPG, PNG, and HEIC (iPhone) formats and auto-converts to fax resolution.
How It Works with FaxTerra
Take a photo of each signed page. Open FaxTerra in your phone browser and upload the photos (you can select multiple at once or upload one by one). Preview the fax to make sure each signature is clearly visible — zoom in to check. Enter the recipient's fax number and send. You will receive an email delivery confirmation. For documents with handwritten initials in margins or detailed notary stamps, use the "Very High" quality setting (subscriber plans) to preserve every detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are faxed signatures legally binding?
Yes, in nearly all U.S. commercial and government contexts. The federal ESIGN Act (2000) and state UETA adoption make faxed (and electronic) signatures legally equivalent to ink signatures for most documents. Exceptions: wills, certain trusts, some family-law documents, and notarized originals.
Will the signature be clear on the fax?
Yes, with a well-lit photo. Place the document on a flat surface in good light, hold your phone directly above it (no angles), and use a document-scan app if available. FaxTerra's "High" quality preserves signature clarity; "Very High" (subscribers) handles fine print, initials, and notary stamps.
What photo formats are supported?
JPG, PNG, and HEIC (iPhone photos). FaxTerra automatically converts photos to the right format and resolution for fax transmission — no manual conversion needed.
Can I fax multiple signed pages?
Yes. Upload photos of each page and FaxTerra merges them into a single fax in the order you upload them. For multi-page contracts where every page is signed or initialed, upload them in order and the recipient receives one continuous fax.