Utah Digital Signature Act

PART 4. Effect of a digital signature

Utah Code §§ 46-3-401 to 46-3-403



46-3-401  Presumptions established by a digital signature.

46-3-402  Effect of digital signature.

46-3-403  Digital signatures making instruments payable to bearer.




46-3-401 Presumptions established by a digital signature. (1) The presumptions established in this section, Section 46-3-402, and Section 46-3-403 do not apply to a certificate issued by an unlicensed certification authority. (2) A certificate is presumed to be an acknowledgment of any digital signature verified using the public key listed in the certificate, regardless of whether words of an express acknowledgment appear with the digital signature in any document, or in relation to the message if: (a) the certificate is in the repository provided by the division or in a recognized repository; and (b) the certificate was not revoked, suspended, or expired at the time of signature. (3) A digital signature verified using a public key is presumed to have been affixed with the intention of the subscriber to authenticate the message and to be bound by the contents of the message if: (a) the public key is listed in a certificate that is in the repository provided by the division, or a recognized repository; and (b) the certificate was not revoked, suspended, or expired at the time of signature. (4) (a) If a signature is time-stamped by the division or a recognized repository, and unless the message otherwise provides, the time-stamp is prima facie evidence that the time-stamped signature took effect as of the date and time indicated in the time-stamp. (b) This subsection does not preclude a finder of fact from concluding, based on other evidence, that the date and time of signature are other than as shown in a time-stamp of the division or a recognized repository. (5) The presumptions established in this section may be rebutted: (a) by evidence indicating that a digital signature cannot be verified by reference to a certificate issued by a licensed certification authority; (b) by evidence that the rightful holder of the private key by which the digital signature was affixed had lost exclusive control of the private key, without violating any duty imposed by this chapter, at the time when the digital signature was affixed; (c) by evidence showing a lack of a signature at common law; or (d) by a showing that reliance on the presumption was not commercially reasonable under the circumstances.
46-3-402 Effect of digital signature. (1) A digitally signed document is as valid as if it had been written on paper. (2) This section does not limit the authority of the State Tax Commission to prescribe the form of tax returns or other documents filed with the State Tax Commission.
46-3-403 Digital signatures making instruments payable to bearer. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, a digital signature which would make a negotiable instrument payable to bearer is void, unless the digital signature effectuates either a funds transfer within the meaning of Section 70A-4a-104, or a transaction between banks or other financial institutions.