--- sourceDocument: Yokohama ServiceNow AI Platform Capabilities sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/yokohama/servicenow-platform Release : - yokohama ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - Yokohama ServiceNow AI Platform Capabilities ft:clusterId : - platcap bundleId : - platcap workflow : - Platform --- # Approval with e-signature # Approval with e-signature {#ariaid-title1} Release version: Yokohama Updated January 30, 2025 ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read Summarize ![AI sparkle icon](https://servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ai-sparkle-icon) Summarized using AI This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete. ## Summary of Approval with e-signature The Approval with e-signature feature in ServiceNow enables users to approve or reject approval records by re-entering their login credentials, ensuring compliance with Title 21 CFR Part 11 electronic signature requirements. This functionality records detailed signature information including the signer's printed name, date and time of signature, and the meaning of the signature (approval or rejection), all stored within the record's activity stream and audit history. Show full answer Show less ## Key Features * **Support for Compliance:** Validated for Title 21 CFR Part 11, essential for regulated industries requiring electronic signature compliance. * **Approval Tables:** Supports default tables such as Change Request \[changerequest\] and Standard Change Proposal \[stdchangeproposal\]. Additional approval tables can be added to require e-signature authorization. * **Approver Authentication:** Approvers must re-enter their user credentials, verified against local user records or integrated Single Sign-On (SSO) systems, to confirm approval actions. * **Approval History Tracking:** Each approval record maintains an activity stream capturing approval changes as field updates, providing transparency and auditability. * **Approval Options:** Approvals and rejections can be performed via context menu options, UI actions on forms, or by changing the state field, all triggering the authentication dialog. * **User Credential Sources:** Supports local User \[sysuser\] credentials and remote identity providers via Multi-Provider SSO integration using SAML 2.0. ## Activation and Setup * **Plugin Activation:** Enabling the Approval with e-Signature plugin activates e-signature requirements for all existing approval tables by default. * **Credential Configuration:** Users must have credentials configured locally or through SSO before enabling e-signature approvals. * **Deactivation:** Procedures are available to deactivate e-signatures if required. * **Integration Requirements:** SSO e-signature approvals require configuration both on the SAML Identity Provider and the ServiceNow instance. ## Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers This feature enables organizations to enforce stronger approval controls, ensuring that every approval or rejection is authenticated, traceable, and compliant with regulatory standards. Customers can expect enhanced audit capabilities and integration flexibility with existing identity management solutions, thereby increasing security and governance around critical change and approval processes. Approve or reject an approval record by re-entering your login credentials. See the history of an approval from its activity stream or its audit history. ## Support for Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 11 {#approval-with-e-signature__section_xtq_tkj_4xb} The Approval with e-signature plug-in is validated for Title 21 CFR Part 11 electronic signature requirements. This plug-in is required for compliance to 21 CFR Part 11. Each time someone approves a record, the system stores this information. * The printed name of the signer * The date and time when the signature was made * The meaning of the signature (approval or rejection) {#approval-with-e-signature__ul_pbk_blj_4xb} This information is stored as part of the activity stream and audit history of the record. ## Approval tables {#approval-with-e-signature__section_ngl_vy3_4xb} By default, Approval with e-signature supports these tables. * Change Request \[change_request\] * Standard Change Proposal \[std_change_proposal\] {#approval-with-e-signature__ul_q12_qp3_4xb} When you add an approval table, any approval for the table needs an e-signature authorization. See [Select an approval table](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/fY~MZDzSvjRv5s3YyYXSSQ "By default, activating the Approval with E-signature plugin enables e-signature for all tables for which an approval exists.") to add or remove a table from supporting Approval with e-signature. ## Approver Authentication dialog {#approval-with-e-signature__section_yjf_51j_4xb} Approvers must enter their user credentials to change the approval state. If the credentials fail, then the approval remains unchanged. The system checks the user credentials against local user records or an active single sign-on integration. ![Dialog to enter user credentials]() ## Approval History {#approval-with-e-signature__section_f3g_lqj_4xb} Each Approval \[sysapprover_approver\] record has an activity stream that tracks changes to it. Approvals made by e-signature are stored as field changes. Figure 1. Example activity stream ## Available approval options {#approval-with-e-signature__section_mw1_qx3_4xb} The Change Request \[change_request\] table provides these approval options. List options : The Change Request table provides context menu options to approve or reject records. When someone selects either the Approve or Reject context menu option, the system displays the Approver Authentication confirmation dialog. UI actions : The Change Request form provides UI actions to approve or reject a record. When someone selects either the Approve or Reject UI action, the system displays the Approver Authentication confirmation dialog. Change record state : The Change Request table provides a State field to approve or reject a record. When someone selects either the Approved or Rejected state, the system displays the Approver Authentication confirmation dialog. ## User credential sources {#approval-with-e-signature__section_wvk_mbj_4xb} Approval with e-signature supports these types of user credential sources. * A set of local User \[sys_user\] records. * A remote identity provider service accessed by the Multi-Provider Single Sign-On (SSO) integration. {#approval-with-e-signature__ul_jz2_zcj_4xb} User credentials must be set up before enabling Approvals with e-signature. See [Creating users](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ua-creating-users&version=yokohama&pubname=yokohama-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US) to create local User records. See [Multi-Provider Single sign-on (SSO)](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=c_MultipleProviderSingleSignOn&version=yokohama&pubname=yokohama-platform-security&ft:locale=en-US) to create an integration to a Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) 2.0 identity provider. * **[Activate Approval with e-Signature plugin](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/UtAPwmxFcojblsy~zew1cA)** The Approval with e-Signature plugin (com.glide.e_signature_approvals) allows users to approve requests by re-entering their login credentials. * **[De-activate e-signatures](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/uh62er1II7ZkaRCYGMPIOw)** Use this procedure to de-activate e-signatures. * **[Select an approval table](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/fY~MZDzSvjRv5s3YyYXSSQ)** By default, activating the Approval with E-signature plugin enables e-signature for all tables for which an approval exists. * **[Set up an approval from a local database](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/KbBSfKnuMcnCbbmT2tlVgQ)** Enable users to authorize e-signature approvals using local database credentials. * **[Use Multi-Provider SSO to set up an SSO approval for a SAML 2.0 authentication](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/nUcWgOldZI2DuSKVXY1MDA)** An SSO approval with e-signature requires configuration on the SAML IdP and the ServiceNow instance. * **[Installed with approval with e-signature](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/xlRpK6of8Qpo87n2Gk~kMA)** Installing approval with e-signature installs certain properties.