Sign a mutual termination agreement online, in 2 minutes
Mutual termination agreement of an employment contract between an employer and an employee, electronically signed with the same legal value as a paper agreement. Compliant with articles L1237-11 et seq. of the French Labor Code (law modernizing the labor market of June 25, 2008) and the eIDAS regulation — advanced signature recommended, 15-day withdrawal period, DREETS approval within 15 business days.
- Legal framework
- Art. L1237-11 French Labor Code
- Signature level
- AES eIDAS recommended
- Legal archiving
- 5 years (limitation period)
What is a mutual termination agreement?
A mutual termination agreement (rupture conventionnelle) is a friendly method of terminating an open-ended employment contract (CDI), created by the law of June 25, 2008 and governed by articles L1237-11 to L1237-16 of the French Labor Code. It requires mutual agreement between the employer and employee, formalized by a termination agreement signed by both parties. The agreement opens a 15-day calendar withdrawal period for each party, then must be approved by the DREETS (formerly DIRECCTE) within 15 business days. Absent objection, approval is implicit and the contract is terminated on the date agreed in the agreement. The employee receives a specific mutual termination indemnity (at least equal to the legal severance indemnity) and unemployment benefits (subject to France Travail conditions).
Why electronically sign the mutual termination agreement?
Identical legal value
Article 1366 of the French Civil Code recognizes electronic documents as having the same probative force as paper documents. The DREETS and courts accept agreements signed electronically, provided that the identification of the parties and document integrity are guaranteed. No provision of the French Labor Code requires handwritten signature for a mutual termination agreement.
Timestamped withdrawal period
The 15-day withdrawal period begins the day after signature. Advanced signature (AES) precisely timestamps the moment of signature, making the computation of the period enforceable to the day — useful in case of dispute over the regularity of the procedure.
Legal archiving included
The mutual termination agreement must be producible for 5 years (limitation period for labor claims). Certyneo archives the signed agreement + its eIDAS audit trail for this entire duration, accessible at a click from your dashboard.
Enforceable eIDAS audit trail
Each agreement is delivered with a proof PDF: identity of signatories (employer + employee), qualified timestamp, SHA-256 hash, IP geolocation, OTP SMS verification. Enforceable before the labor court in case of dispute over consent, withdrawal period or indemnity.
Sign a mutual termination agreement in 4 steps
From the preliminary meeting to DREETS approval, in less than 5 minutes for the signature.
1. Prepare the agreement
Use the Cerfa form n° 14598*01 (downloadable from service-public.fr) or a model compliant with art. L1237-11: identity of parties, specific indemnity, contract end date, mention of 15-day withdrawal period.
2. Add the signatories
Employer (legal representative or authorized person) + employee. The agreement must also be signed following at least one preliminary meeting. Each receives a personalized secure link by email.
3. Choose the eIDAS level
Advanced signature (AES) recommended for the mutual termination agreement: identity verification by OTP SMS, unique certificate per signatory, qualified timestamp. Exact timestamping is critical for computing the withdrawal period.
4. Sign, wait 15 days, submit to DREETS
Each signatory signs from their phone. The withdrawal period runs 15 calendar days. Then transmit the signed agreement to DREETS via the TéléRC online procedure for approval within 15 business days.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a mutual termination agreement be electronically signed?
- Yes, without restriction. The French Labor Code does not require handwritten signature. Article 1366 of the Civil Code confers the same value on electronic signature as on paper signature. DREETS has accepted agreements signed electronically via the TéléRC online procedure since 2019, provided that party authentication is guaranteed.
- Which signature level to choose: SES, AES or QES?
- For a mutual termination agreement, advanced signature (AES) is the recommended standard. It provides enhanced reliability through identity verification (OTP SMS) and a unique certificate per signatory — useful given the financial (indemnity) and legal (waiver of dismissal) stakes. SES (simple signature) is acceptable but undersized.
- How does the 15-day withdrawal period work?
- The 15-day calendar period begins the day after the agreement is signed by both parties. During this period, each party may withdraw by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt or by any means providing proof of date. Advanced electronic signature precisely timestamps the signature, securing the computation of the period.
- Is a preliminary meeting mandatory?
- Yes — article L1237-12 of the French Labor Code requires at least one preliminary meeting between employer and employee, during which the terms of termination are discussed. The employee may be assisted (employee advisor or personnel representative). This meeting may precede or follow the agreement signature.
- What is the specific mutual termination indemnity?
- At least equal to the legal severance indemnity (1/4 month per year of seniority for the first 10 years, 1/3 beyond — art. R1234-2 French Labor Code). Collective agreements or a particular agreement may provide a higher indemnity. It is paid on the contract end date fixed by the agreement.
- Is the employee entitled to unemployment benefits?
- Yes, subject to France Travail conditions: having contributed for at least 6 months in the last 24 months, being registered as a jobseeker, etc. The mutual termination agreement entitles the employee to ARE (activity resumption allowance) as does a dismissal, unlike a resignation. This is the central advantage for the employee.
- How is DREETS approval conducted?
- After the withdrawal period, the most diligent party submits the agreement to DREETS via the TéléRC online procedure (dematerialized form). DREETS has 15 business days to verify the regularity of the procedure and absence of consent defects. Absent response, approval is implicit. The electronically signed agreement is accepted by DREETS.
- Is the electronically signed agreement enforceable before the labor court?
- Yes — French labor case law unanimously recognizes eIDAS-compliant electronic signature. Advanced signature (AES) benefits from the presumption of reliability (art. 1367 Civil Code): the electronically signed agreement is enforceable in the same manner as a paper agreement, provided the eIDAS audit trail is produced in case of dispute over consent or procedure.
Also read
Sign your first mutual termination agreement online
Permanent free plan (5 envelopes / month), no credit card. Compliant with French Labor Code and eIDAS. Audit trail and 5-year archiving included.