Is it a qualified signature?

No. The check does not change the level: the signature remains advanced, without the presumption of reliability provided for by decree no. 2017-1416. In case of dispute, the proof rests on the file.

Which identity documents are accepted?

Identity cards and passports from the 27 European Union countries, as well as passports from the United Kingdom and the United States. Residence permits and driving licenses are not accepted.

How long does validation take?

A few business hours: validation is not instantaneous, as an operator reviews each file. The signer is notified by email and SMS. If no decision is made within 7 days, the file expires and the credit is returned.

What happens to the document and video?

Files are encrypted, then deleted 30 days after the decision. The decision and file fingerprints remain in the audit trail. The sender does not see the documents: they receive the status and, in case of rejection, the reason.

How is the verification charged?

By prepaid credits: one credit per signer, regardless of the number of attempts. The pricing grid is published on the pricing page.

Practical guide

Advanced electronic signature with identity verification

Advanced electronic signature with identity verification adds human verification: a Certyneo operator examines the document and a short video before signing, within a few business hours. It remains an advanced signature, without the presumption of reliability of a qualified signature: in case of dispute, proof relies on the file.

Updated on 3 November 2026

Advanced signature with identity verification or qualified signature: which one to choose?

Both verify the signer's identity, but they do not have the same legal status or the same process. Comparison updated in November 2026.

Criterion	Advanced signature with identity verification	Qualified signature
Framework	Article 26 of the eIDAS regulation.	Article 3, point 12, of the eIDAS regulation.
Legal effect	Admissible in court (article 25.1 of eIDAS), without presumption of reliability.	Effect of a handwritten signature (article 25.2 of eIDAS), presumed reliability in France (decree no. 2017-1416).
In case of dispute	Proof is based on the file: proof certificate, operator decision, file fingerprints.	It is up to the person contesting the signature to prove that it is not reliable.
Who verifies identity	An operator from the Certyneo team.	A qualified trust service provider.
Certificate	Non-qualified certificate, issued by Certyneo.	Qualified certificate, delivered to the signatory.
Accepted documents	Identity card and passport from the 27 European Union countries, passport from the United Kingdom and the United States.	According to the qualified provider: to be verified before sending.
Timeline	A few business hours: validation is not instantaneous.	The signer enrolls in an identity application before signing.
Billing	One credit per signer, including resumes.	Per transaction, or included according to the plan.

What legal value for an advanced signature with identity verification?

An advanced signature produces legal effects and cannot be set aside solely on the ground that it is electronic (article 25.1 of the eIDAS regulation). However, it does not have a presumption of reliability: decree no. 2017-1416 of 28 September 2017 reserves it for qualified signature. In case of dispute, whoever relies on it must establish the reliability of the procedure, and the burden of proof rests on the file.

To move from theory to practice, discover the Certyneo electronic signature solution and its offer dedicated to your sector — eIDAS compliant, no installation required.

To put this choice in context, compare the three levels of signature in the eIDAS regulation, the legal value of electronic signature and our guide to qualified signature. The full process is described in how to verify a signer's identity remotely.

The verification strengthens the link between the signer and the person named by the sender. It does not change the level of the signature.
The operator's decision appears in the proof certificate attached to the signed document.
Human verification does not guarantee that no forgery will pass: it adds to the file, it does not replace it.
In the European Union, the effect of a handwritten signature is reserved for qualified signature (article 25.2 of the eIDAS regulation).

For which documents does this verification make sense?

A quote accepted remotely by a customer you have never met.

A sworn statement for which the signer must be identifiable.

A service contract signed by a natural person, without an appointment.

A lease or an amendment signed remotely.

A private deed power of attorney, if no law imposes a specific level.

A file submitted to a third party, once the signature level it requires has been verified.

How does signing with identity verification work?

1
The sender activates the option when sending
At advanced signature level, included in paid plans, it checks identity verification. The balance must cover each signer: one credit per signer, including retakes.
2
The signer sends their ID document and a short video
After giving consent, they choose their country and ID document, send their photos, then a video where they say three digits and perform a gesture drawn at random.
3
An operator decides
An operator from the Certyneo team compares the ID document, the video and the name provided by the sender. The response arrives within a few business hours: validation is not instant.
4
The signer signs
Notified by email and SMS, they resume the usual process: SMS code, then signature. The sender sees the status and reason for a refusal, never the documents.

Does your funder or controller require a specific signature level?

Some organizations require a specific level. Before choosing, check with your funder, your controller or the administration that will receive the document: advanced signature with identity verification does not replace a required level.

Case of energy savings certificate files (CEE): a DGEC webinar support dated November 2024 proposes to use advanced signature with a qualified certificate, which our advanced signature does not use. This proposal was open for contributions until December 11, 2024. We have not verified the applicable rule in November 2026: check with the DGEC or your obligated party before signing a CEE file.

When does qualified signature remain the right choice?

Identity verification by our teams meets a verification need, not a level requirement. In the following cases, prefer qualified electronic signature. For regular use, verification credits are compared on the pricing page.

An organization, a funder or a regulation requires a qualified signature or a qualified certificate.
You want the presumption of reliability: in case of dispute, it is up to the challenger to prove that the signature is not reliable.
The document must have the effect of a handwritten signature throughout the European Union.
You are filing a case with the INPI Single Window, which does not accept our advanced signature.

Frequently asked questions

What is an advanced electronic signature with identity verification?: It is an advanced signature within the meaning of article 26 of the eIDAS regulation, preceded by a check: an operator from the Certyneo team examines the ID document and a short video of the signer. The signer can only request their SMS code and sign after validation.
Is it a qualified signature?: No. The check does not change the level: the signature remains advanced, without the presumption of reliability provided for by decree no. 2017-1416. In case of dispute, the proof rests on the file.
Which identity documents are accepted?: Identity cards and passports from the 27 European Union countries, as well as passports from the United Kingdom and the United States. Residence permits and driving licenses are not accepted.
How long does validation take?: A few business hours: validation is not instantaneous, as an operator reviews each file. The signer is notified by email and SMS. If no decision is made within 7 days, the file expires and the credit is returned.
What happens to the document and video?: Files are encrypted, then deleted 30 days after the decision. The decision and file fingerprints remain in the audit trail. The sender does not see the documents: they receive the status and, in case of rejection, the reason.
How is the verification charged?: By prepaid credits: one credit per signer, regardless of the number of attempts. The pricing grid is published on the pricing page.
Can it be used for a CEE file?: First check with DGEC or your obligated party. A DGEC proposal from November 2024 specifies an advanced signature with a qualified certificate, which our advanced signature does not use. We have not verified the applicable rule in November 2026.

Sources

→ The complete guide to electronic signature · → eIDAS rules for signature

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