The legal validity of the advanced digital signatures we offer is determined by four aspects:
Can the document be modified after signing? No, any changes will render the signature invalid.
Has the time of signing and interaction with the document been independently verified? Yes.
Has the identity of the signers been adequately established? Yes, using email, IP address, iDEAL, SMS or other verification methods.
Is there a clear intention to sign? Yes. Drawing a scribble and clearly pressing ‘Sign’ via Signhost.com establishes intention far more strongly than other methods, such as pressing a button or ticking a box.
What type of verification do I need? Find out here!
Digital signatures can take one of three basic forms:
Simple electronic signature
A simple electronic signature might be a scanned image of a handwritten signature placed in the document, or one ‘scribbled’ using the mouse.
Advanced electronic signature
This version uses mathematical techniques to associate the message with a unique code, which is derived from the message itself and the identity of the sender. This makes the code unusable if the message is fake. The signature is then verified using what is called a ‘certificate’. This is also known as a ‘digital signature’.
Qualified electronic signature
A qualified electronic signature uses a qualified certificate, or a digital file that is added to the original document. There are special bodies that issue certificates, called ‘certification service providers’. Qualified certificates are sometimes necessary for signatures among certain professional groups, such as accountants and notaries. Due to the nature of the qualified electronic signature, it is not possible to make subsequent changes such as initialing.
All three of these forms are legally valid, yet they represent different levels of authentication.
Advanced electronic signatures, those used by Signhost, therefore offer equivalent authenticity to handwritten signatures: their legal validity is accepted. Anyone who claims the signature is ‘counterfeit’ must provide evidence to prove it.
Our white paper addresses this subject in more detail.
Our support team is happy to assist you via chat or via support@signhost.com