Sign a French mutual-termination agreement online in 2 minutes
Mutual-termination agreement (rupture conventionnelle) between a French employer and employee, signed electronically with the same legal value as a paper agreement. Compliant with articles L1237-11 et seq. of the French Labour Code (Act of 25 June 2008) and the eIDAS regulation — advanced signature recommended, 15-day withdrawal period, DREETS homologation within 15 working days.
- Legal framework
- Art. L1237-11 Labour Code
- Signature level
- AES eIDAS recommended
- Legal retention
- 5 years (prescription)
What is a French mutual-termination agreement?
The rupture conventionnelle is an amicable termination of an indefinite-term French employment contract (CDI), created by the Act of 25 June 2008 and governed by articles L1237-11 to L1237-16 of the French Labour Code. It requires mutual agreement between the employer and the employee, formalised by a termination agreement signed by both parties. The agreement triggers a 15-calendar-day withdrawal period for each party, then must be homologated by the DREETS within 15 working days. The employee receives a specific termination indemnity (at least equal to the statutory dismissal indemnity) and is eligible for unemployment benefits.
Why sign the mutual-termination electronically?
Identical legal value
Article 1366 of the French Civil Code gives an electronic writing the same probative force as paper. The DREETS and courts accept electronically-signed agreements, provided signer identification and document integrity are guaranteed.
Timestamped withdrawal period
The 15-day withdrawal period starts the day after signing. Advanced electronic signature (AES) precisely timestamps the moment of signing, making the period computation enforceable to the day — useful in case of procedural dispute.
Legal retention included
The agreement must be retrievable for 5 years (prescription period for labour-court actions). Certyneo archives the signed agreement and its eIDAS audit trail for this entire period, accessible in one click.
Enforceable eIDAS audit trail
Every agreement ships with an evidence PDF: identity of signers (employer + employee), qualified timestamp, SHA-256 hash, IP geolocation, SMS OTP. Enforceable before the labour court in case of consent dispute, withdrawal-period dispute or indemnity dispute.
Sign a mutual-termination agreement in 4 steps
From the preparatory meeting to DREETS homologation, in less than 5 minutes for signing.
1. Prepare the agreement
Use the official Cerfa form no. 14598*01 (downloadable from service-public.fr) or a Labour Code compliant template: identity of parties, specific indemnity, contract end date, withdrawal-period mention.
2. Add the signers
Employer (legal representative or mandated person) + employee. The agreement must also be signed after at least one preparatory meeting. Each receives a personalised secure link.
3. Choose the eIDAS level
Advanced electronic signature (AES) recommended: SMS OTP identity check, unique certificate per signer, qualified timestamp. Precise timestamp is critical for the withdrawal-period computation.
4. Sign, wait 15 days, transmit to DREETS
Each signer signs from their phone. The 15-day withdrawal period runs. Then transmit the signed agreement to DREETS via the TéléRC online procedure for homologation within 15 working days.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a French mutual-termination agreement be signed electronically?
- Yes, without restriction. The Labour Code does not require handwritten signature. Article 1366 of the Civil Code gives an electronic signature the same value as paper. The DREETS accepts electronically-signed agreements via the TéléRC online procedure since 2019.
- Which signature level: SES, AES or QES?
- Advanced electronic signature (AES) is the recommended standard. It brings reinforced reliability presumption thanks to identity verification (SMS OTP) and unique certificate per signer — useful given the financial stake (indemnity) and legal stake (waiver of dismissal). SES is acceptable but underdimensioned.
- How does the 15-day withdrawal period work?
- The 15-calendar-day period runs from the day after signing. During this period, each party may withdraw by registered letter or any means proving the date. The advanced electronic signature precisely timestamps the signing, securing the period computation.
- Is a preparatory meeting required?
- Yes — article L1237-12 of the Labour Code requires at least one preparatory meeting between employer and employee. The employee may be assisted (worker advisor or staff representative).
- What is the specific mutual-termination indemnity?
- At least equal to the statutory dismissal indemnity (1/4 month per year of seniority for the first 10 years, 1/3 beyond — art. R1234-2 Labour Code). Collective agreements may provide a higher indemnity.
- Is the employee entitled to unemployment benefits?
- Yes, under France Travail conditions: minimum 6 months of contributions over the last 24 months, registered as job seeker, etc. The mutual termination opens the right to ARE like a dismissal — unlike a resignation. This is the central benefit for the employee.
- How does DREETS homologation work?
- After the withdrawal period, the most diligent party transmits the agreement to DREETS via TéléRC. DREETS has 15 working days to verify procedural regularity and absence of consent vice. Absent reply, homologation is tacit. The electronically-signed agreement is accepted.
- Is the electronically-signed agreement enforceable before the labour court?
- Yes — French case law unanimously recognises eIDAS-compliant electronic signatures. Advanced electronic signature (AES) benefits from the reliability presumption (article 1367 Civil Code): the electronically-signed agreement is enforceable just like a paper agreement.
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Sign your first mutual-termination agreement online
Permanent free plan (5 envelopes / month), no credit card. Labour Code + eIDAS compliant. Audit trail and 5-year archiving included.