Sign advance directives online
Advance directives by which any adult expresses in advance their wishes for their treatment and end-of-life care. Compliant with art. L1111-11 of the Public Health Code (Claeys-Leonetti law of February 2, 2016) and eIDAS regulation — advanced signature recommended, official CERFA model, revocable at any time, long-term retention included.
- Legal framework
- Art. L1111-11 CSP · Claeys-Leonetti law
- Signature level
- AES eIDAS recommended
- Legal archiving
- 10 years included
What are advance directives?
Advance directives are the written expression by any adult of their wishes regarding their treatments and care in the event of inability to express their will (loss of consciousness, coma, end of life). Governed by art. L1111-11 of the Public Health Code resulting from the Claeys-Leonetti law of 2 February 2016, they are binding on the physician except in case of vital emergency or if they appear manifestly inappropriate. Decree No. 2016-1067 of 3 August 2016 created an official CERFA model comprising two forms: (1) if I am at the end of life or if I know I have a serious condition, (2) if I am not at the end of life. Advance directives are revisable and revocable at any time.
Why sign electronically?
Official CERFA model supported
Certyneo integrates the official CERFA model (decree 2016-1067) with the two forms (end of life / serious condition). Pre-filling of common fields, consistency validation, automatic generation of the official signed PDF.
Signer identity verified
OTP SMS + email verification of the signer. Prevents signing by a relative on behalf of the patient — critical point for directives that may decide on cessation of treatment. Compliant with evidentiary requirements.
D
Art. L1111-6 CSP allows you to designate a trusted person who will be consulted as a priority by physicians in case of patient incapacity. Certyneo allows you to designate this person in the same document as the advance directives, with their own electronic signature acceptance.
Enforceable medico-legal audit trail
Each set of advance directives is delivered with a proof PDF: signer identity (verified OTP SMS), qualified timestamp, SHA-256 hash, IP address. Enforceable against the physician and the court in case of challenge by the family or in case of doubt about authenticity.
4-step procedure
From preparation to legal archiving, in less than 5 minutes.
1. Choose the form
Form 1: if I am at the end of life or if I know I have a serious condition. Form 2: if I am not currently at the end of life. You can sign both to cover all situations.
2. Fill out and sign
Fill out your wishes regarding life-sustaining treatments, deep sedation, organ donation, autopsy. Sign with advanced signature (AES) + OTP SMS on your phone.
3. Designate a trusted person
Designation of a trusted person who will be consulted as a priority (art. L1111-6 CSP). The trusted person accepts their mission by electronic signature.
4. Communicate to healthcare providers
Upload to your Health Space (DMP) or give to your treating physician + your trusted person. Retention in the medical file for 20 years.
Frequently asked questions
- Can advance directives be signed electronically?
- Yes, without restriction. Art. L1111-11 CSP requires a written form but prescribes no particular form. Certyneo''s advanced signature (AES) satisfies evidentiary requirements and is even superior to paper (identity verified by OTP, impossibility of signing by a third party).
- Is the CERFA model mandatory?
- No — art. L1111-11 also admits free advance directives, provided they are written, dated and signed by the signer (identifiable by name, surname, date and place of birth). But the official CERFA model (decree 2016-1067) facilitates physician consideration and is strongly recommended.
- Are advance directives revocable?
- Yes, at any time and by any means (art. L1111-11 CSP). Revision can be done via Certyneo by signing a new set of directives that cancels and replaces the previous ones. The audit trail precisely traces the date and active version.
- How can you be sure that physicians will be aware of them?
- Several options: (1) upload to your Shared Medical File (DMP) on monespacesante.fr, (2) give to your treating physician who will insert them in your medical file, (3) give to your trusted person who can present them, (4) keep a copy on you (wallet card with mention).
- What signature level for advance directives?
- Advanced signature (AES) recommended. It provides a presumption of reliability (art. 1367 Civil Code) and satisfies evidentiary requirements in case of challenge by the family or in case of doubt about authenticity by the intensive care physician.
- How long are advance directives valid?
- Without limitation since the Claeys-Leonetti law of 2016 (before 2016, 3-year limit). They remain valid as long as they are not revised or revoked. Certyneo automatically archives for 20 years (duration of the medical file, art. R1112-7 CSP).
- Can a person under guardianship sign advance directives?
- Yes — art. L1111-11 CSP admits advance directives from a person under guardianship, with authorization from the guardianship judge or family council (without recourse to the guardian). Certyneo manages this configuration with double signature (signer + judicial authority).
- Are electronically signed advance directives enforceable against the physician?
- Yes — art. L1111-11 CSP requires the physician to comply with them except in case of vital emergency or if they appear manifestly inappropriate (collegial procedure referral). Advanced signature (AES) + Certyneo audit trail guarantee authenticity, which secures their consideration.
Also read
Draft your advance directives online
Permanent free plan (5 envelopes / month), no credit card required. Compliant with Public Health Code and eIDAS. Official CERFA template and 20-year archiving included.