Electronic seal
Definition
Frequently asked questions
What is an electronic seal?
An electronic seal is the equivalent of an electronic signature for legal entities (companies, administrations): it guarantees the origin and integrity of a document issued in an organization's name, without involving an identified human signer.
What is the difference between an electronic seal and an electronic signature?
An electronic signature commits an identified natural person, while an electronic seal commits a legal entity — a company or an administration — without naming an individual signer.
Is an electronic seal legally valid in Europe?
Yes. The eIDAS regulation recognizes three levels of electronic seal — simple, advanced, and qualified — on the same basis as the three levels of electronic signature.
Does a qualified electronic seal carry the same legal weight as a qualified signature?
A qualified electronic seal benefits from a presumption of integrity and origin recognized across the EU, but it attests to an organization's commitment rather than an identified individual's — that is the key distinction from a qualified signature.
Associated guides
Related terms
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