Medical Electronic Signature in LATAM: Legal Validity by Country (2026)

Electronic signatures in medical documents are no longer optional in Latin America. With the digitization of medical records, radiology reports, and prescriptions, the question is not whether to use electronic signatures, but what type of signature you need and what your country's regulations say.

This article covers the updated legal framework for 2026 in the region's main markets.

Types of electronic signatures

Before discussing regulation, it's important to understand that not all electronic signatures are equal:

In healthcare, the advanced electronic signature is the minimum recommended standard for clinical documents.

Regulation by country

Mexico

• Applicable law: Commerce Code (Arts. 89-114), NOM-024-SSA3
• Healthcare validity: Advanced electronic signature has legal validity equivalent to handwritten signature
• Requirements: Digital certificate issued by PSC accredited by Ministry of Economy
• Current status: Advanced implementation in public sector, growing in private

Colombia

• Applicable law: Law 527 of 1999, Decree 2364 of 2012
• Healthcare validity: Electronic signature has legal validity without discrimination by technological form
• Requirements: Must guarantee authenticity, integrity, and non-repudiation
• Current status: Wide legal acceptance, growing adoption in healthcare

Peru

• Applicable law: Law 27269 on Digital Signatures and Certificates, DS 052-2008-PCM
• Healthcare validity: Digital (qualified) signature has validity equivalent to handwritten
• Requirements: Digital certificate issued by INDECOPI-accredited entity
• Current status: Mature regulation, accelerated adoption post-pandemic

Chile

• Applicable law: Law 19,799 on Electronic Documents and Electronic Signature
• Healthcare validity: Advanced electronic signature has evidentiary value equivalent to handwritten signature
• Requirements: Certificate issued by provider accredited by Ministry of Economy
• Current status: Advanced implementation, especially in public sector (MINSAL)

Brazil

• Applicable law: MP 2.200-2/2001, CFM Resolution 2.299/2021
• Healthcare validity: Digital signature with ICP-Brasil certificate has full validity
• Requirements: ICP-Brasil digital certificate (e-CPF for healthcare professionals)
• Current status: Most mature in the region, widespread use

Argentina

• Applicable law: Law 25,506 on Digital Signature
• Healthcare validity: Digital signature has the same legal effects as handwritten signature
• Requirements: Certificate issued by licensed certifier
• Current status: Federal regulation, variable implementation by province

Medical documents requiring electronic signature

How to implement electronic signatures in your clinic

1. Identify which documents you sign — Reports, prescriptions, results, consents.
2. Verify your country's regulation — Not all countries require the same type of signature.
3. Choose a system that integrates it natively — Davix electronic signature is integrated into the clinical workflow.
4. Train your team — Transitioning from manual to electronic signature requires a habit change, not a skill change.
5. Document the process — Maintain evidence of the signing process for audits.

Frequently asked questions

Does an electronic signature have the same validity as a paper signature?

In all analyzed countries, the advanced or qualified electronic signature has legal validity equivalent to a handwritten signature.

Do I need a digital certificate for each physician?

Yes. Each professional must have their own digital certificate. In Davix, each user has their signature configured individually.

Can I sign from my phone?

Depends on the system. With Davix, yes — the radiologist can sign a report from any device with a web browser.

What happens if a signed document is modified?

Electronic signature guarantees integrity: if the document is modified after signing, the signature is automatically invalidated.

Conclusion

Medical electronic signatures are already a legal reality across Latin America:

• All major countries have legal frameworks supporting them.
• Advanced signatures are the minimum standard for clinical documents.
• Each professional needs their own digital certificate.
• Must be integrated into the clinical workflow, not an additional step.
• Davix includes electronic signature integrated in PACS, HIS, and LIS.

Check Davix pricing or schedule a demo to see how integrated electronic signature works.