A method of collecting and authenticating electronic signatures and documents signed thereby, including the steps of storing a representation of a first handwritten signature and an associated first authenticated electronic signature of a first signatory in a database, storing a representation of a second handwritten signature and an associated second authenticated electronic signature of a second signatory in the database, creating a message digest for a document file associated with a document to be signed, appending the message digest to the document file, transmitting the document file with the appended message digest to the first and second signatories, receiving the document file with the appended message digest from the first and second signatories after the first and second signatories have affixed their first and second electronic signatures, respectively, to the document file, and, authenticating the first and second signatures, respectively, and the electronically signed document file. An apparatus for implementing the method is also disclosed.