Digital signatures you can trust.

The short answer is a digital signature is a kind of electronic signature that meets certain criteria for extra security as defined by law.

The longer answer is that while many people use the terms interchangeably, in order for an electronic signature to be considered a digital signature, it must be accompanied by a digital certificate issued by a qualified trust service provider (QTSP) and use Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) with proof of signer identity.

In Swiss and EU law, the qualified electronic signature (QES) meets this definition of a digital signature, and is the legal equivalent of a handwritten signature. If you need a digital signature and have a written form requirement under Swiss or EU law, choose the qualified electronic signature.

Yes.

Two of the electronic signatures DeepSign offers meet the statutory requirements for electronic signatures in the EU and Switzerland: the advanced electronic signature (AES) and the qualified electronic signature (QES). They are issued by qualified trust service providers (QTSP) and certification authorities in the EU and Switzerland. This also applies to the qualified timestamp used in the simple electronic signature (SES).

DeepSign uses our own integrated DeepID app to identify yourself in minutes from wherever you are. The DeepID app is available for iOS and Android, and free to download and use.

To verify your ID, you’ll need an identity document (most ICAO-Standards passports and national IDs are supported), and the process uses NFC technology built into your mobile phone. For the highest level of security, DeepID manages the entire identification and verification process from scanning to data processing. Likewise when you sign a contract with your DeepSign digital signature, your co-signers too can verify their identities and sign for free.

If you’ve already identified yourself with a third party app (Mobile ID) to sign with a QES, you can keep on using the Mobile ID app to confirm your identity and sign with DeepSign. But now when you invite anyone to legally sign your documents, your co-signers can remotely verify for free using our own DeepID mobile app, saving them from searching for yet another third-party app.

If you also want to benefit from a seamless and completely integrated experience, you are always welcome to download the app and create your DeepID digital identity.

When you sign a document with a qualified electronic signature (QES) in DeepSign, the document will meet the statutory written form requirements under EU and Swiss law. QES are considered legally equivalent to a handwritten signature. However, you may need to check for additional requirements for a signature process on a case-by-case basis. There may also be further statutory form requirements that cannot be met by an electronic signature.

DeepSign offers three types of electronic signatures recognised by international regulations: simple electronic signatures (SES), advanced electronic signatures (AES) and qualified electronic signatures (QES).

The type of electronic signature that you need to use in each case depends on the written form requirements for the relevant document, your contractual agreements and your company policy.

To find out the appropriate type for your specific situation, please consult with a legal advisor.

Simple electronic signatures (SES)
For documents with no written form requirement. A qualified electronic timestamp guarantees document authenticity. Useful when there are no written form requirements. Also suitable for digital document retention solutions.

Advanced electronic signatures (AES)
For documents with no written form requirement. With this type of signature, the signatory is identified in advance. It not only ensures that the documents are authentic but also that they are properly linked with the signatory.

Qualified electronic signatures (QES)
For documents subject to written form requirements under EU or Swiss law. With this type of signature, the signatory is identified in advance. It not only ensures that the documents are authentic but also that they are properly linked with the signatory. In addition, it is issued with a qualified certificate from a qualified trust service provider (QTSP). The QES therefore is legally equivalent to a handwritten signature.

The electronic signatures used in DeepSign are issued by recognized and certified trust service providers and certification authorities.

With any type of electronic signature, the document will receive a digital certificate in keeping with the currently applicable technological standard. This guarantees to both the sender and the receiver that the document has not been tampered with. In addition, when using the AES and QES, the signatory’s identity is determined in advance, so that the signatory’s link with the document can be traced.

All signature packages are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase, after which unused signatures expire. Packages are automatically renewed by default on the expiry date or when all the signatures in a package are used. The automatic renewal can be deactivated at any time.

Additional signatures are billed on a pay-per-use basis to your account.