An electronic signature has no graphic representation (the image affixed to the document has only symbolic value). It therefore does have to look like the signer’s handwritten signature. Its validity and probative force lie in the digital data incorporated into the document which guarantees both its integrity and the authentication of the signatory:
– An “authentication certificate” issued by a trusted authority (the certified electronic signature provider) which proves that the identity of the signatory has been previously and duly verified;
– A “fingerprint” of the document (a unique string of characters) to ensure that it has not been modified since signing (the slightest change to the document would modify the fingerprint it generates).
For more information on the legal validity of electronic signatures.
How do I find the credentials of the signatories of a document?
An authentication certificate is produced and archived by Closd upon each ID verification and electronic signature. This certificate is provided to the document’s Recipients along with the signed document. It is accessible via the Project’s My signatures page.
The authentication certificate groups together all the technical information relating to the identity verification (image of the identity document, elements verified, validity of the MRZ code) or to the electronic signature (envelope number, signatory’s email address, IP address, time stamp, technology used, etc.). This procedure meets legal and jurisprudential requirements and ensures the full validity and probative force of electronic signatures.
For more information on the legal validity of electronic signatures.
How can I be sure that a document has been validly signed and that it was not subsequently modified?
The analysis of a document by a PDF reader (such as Adobe Acrobat Reader) determines whether the electronic signature on it is valid. When the document is opened, the PDF reader detects the digital signature data and verifies it:
– It inspects the “authentication certificate” to make sure it is valid, so the signatory’s identity is certain;
– It recalculates the document’s “fingerprint” and ensures that it corresponds to the fingerprint that was calculated at the time it was signed;
If one of these two elements is missing or changed, a message automatically warns the user that the signature is not valid. Specifically, it indicates whether the document has been modified since it was signed. There is therefore no need to digitally initial a document: electronic signature technology plays the same role as a notarial binding.
For more information on the legal validity of the electronic signature, click here