FAQ

• What is a digital signature?

  A digital signature is a type of electronic signature generated via a digital certificate. A digital signature helps securely associate a signer with a specific document. Digital signatures form a digital “fingerprint” and can be used to validate signer identity and demonstrate that the signed document has not been tampered with.

• Are advanced electronic signatures legally enforceable?

  Yes, an Advanced Electronic Signature (AES) is legally recognised and enforceable in the UK and across all EU Member States, provided it meets the specific security, authenticity, and compliance requirements outlined in the eIDAS regulation.

• What types of agreements can be signed with AES?

  Advanced electronic signatures (AES) are suitable for a wide range of agreements, especially those that require enhanced security and signer authentication. Examples of typical agreements that likely use AES include NDAs, purchase orders, vendor agreements, insurance claims and hiring contracts.

• What is the difference between advanced and qualified electronic signatures?

  Advanced electronic signatures (AES) enhance the signing process by adding identity verification. These signatures must be uniquely linked to the signer and capable of identifying them, with signature records that can demonstrate any tampering.
  
  Qualified electronic signatures (QES) have even stricter requirements, including face-to-face or equivalent identity verification, which can be conducted live in person or via an audio/video connection. A QES is particularly notable for being legally equivalent to a handwritten signature under eIDAS, providing a higher level of legal assurance.

• Which Trust Service Providers does Docusign work with around the globe to support digital signatures?

  Docusign works with Trust Service providers from around the world to offer digital certificates and digital signatures through the Docusign platform.
  See the global list of Trust Service Providers.
  

• What is the difference between an electronic signature and a digital signature?

  Electronic signatures, or e-signatures, are a broad category of methods for signing a document. A digital signature is a type of electronic signature that offers additional verification of the identities of the parties involved in a transaction.

  Digital signatures are based on a technology standard called Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). PKI is used to create a unique, tamper-evident ‘digital certificate’ that associates a signer with a document and guarantees that the electronic document is authentic. Digital certificates indicate that the signers have completed extra steps to confirm their identities. A signer’s digital certificate is used to create the signature and then attach it to the signed document.