Timestamp vs e-signature vs notarization: what’s the difference?

Each tool answers a different question

A timestamp answers: did this exact file exist at that time? An e-signature answers: who approved or agreed to this document? Notarization answers: was the signing formally witnessed by an official?

Mixing them up leads to the wrong tool for the job. Choose the one that matches what you actually need to prove.

When to use which

If you need to prove that a file existed before a certain date, or that it hasn’t been changed, use a timestamp. If you need someone to formally accept an agreement, use an e-signature. If the law requires a notary for a specific transaction, a timestamp alone won’t be enough.

• Timestamp — best for proving a file existed and hasn’t changed.
• E-signature — best for recording who agreed to a document.
• Notarization — best for transactions that legally require a formal witness.

Using them together

In real life, these tools often work together. You might timestamp your drafts early on, then use an e-signature when the agreement is finalized, and keep the timestamped versions as a clear record of what changed and when.

Combining them gives you a much stronger trail than relying on any single tool.