Customer Support & Frequently Asked Questions

An electronic signature or e-signature is legally recognized as a valid method to provide consent or approval on electronic documents or forms. Some forms of electronic signatures are considered the electronic equivalent of handwritten signatures.

The qualified electronic signature is the most advanced form of electronic signature according to the requirements of the eIDAS legislation. A qualified electronic signature has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature.

Electronic signatures are legal and recognized as valid in Regulation No 910/2014, known as eIDAS, which entered into force throughout Europe last July 1, 2016. The eIDAS is directly applicable in all member states by the fact that it is a regulation, and not a directive.

SignHere uses the underlying technology of Connective. Based on the analysis of DLA Piper in June 2020, if it is properly configured, Connective eSignatures allows the creation of electronic signatures within the meaning of Article 3(10) of the eIDAS Regulation and even, depending on the signature method chosen by the customer or user, certain advanced and qualified electronic signatures (within the meaning of Articles 3(11) and 3(12) of the eIDAS Regulation). Connective has also included in Connective eSignatures means guaranteeing the long-term validity of these electronic signatures, namely an integration with third-party electronic time-stamping officially recognised certificate authorities (CAs).

In this context, and with proper configuration, Connective eSignatures as an electronic signature solution allows the management of a signing process that complies with the requirements for all kinds of electronic signatures foreseen under the eIDAS Regulation.

A signature created using digital signature technology is the electronic equivalent of a notarized paper signature.
Digital signatures use public key infrastructure (PKI) standards and procedures to sign electronic data with a cryptographic key.

A digital signature guarantees the integrity of the document it signs. The content of the message cannot be altered or manipulated without undermining the validity of the digital signature.
However, a digital signature does not always guarantee the authentication of the sender. The identity of a person is only legally confirmed when a qualified certificate links the signature to that person. These qualified certificates must be issued by a recognized certification authority or be generated by a secure signature creation device (such as an electronic identity card or itmse in Belgium).

European legislation regulating electronic signatures takes these differences regarding digital signatures into account. Once qualified certificates are added, these digital signatures guarantee non-repudiation, so their legal value is guaranteed by law and no court ruling is required.

eIDAS distinguishes 3 types: simple, advanced and qualified.
All 3 are legally accepted signatures but only the qualified one is similar to pen & paper.

Simple

• Also known as Simple Electronic Signature (SES).
• What is it? Proves the signer’s acceptance or approval by means of a type of certificate. E.g. manually signed on screen or clicked “I accept” button, etc.
• Burden of proof? Rests with the one who initiates the signature, i.e. sends the document
• What is it for? For simple transactions
• Example: drawing with a stylus on a tablet or making a scribble with a finger or with the mouse

Advanced

• Also known as Advanced Electronic Signature (AES).
• What is it? Requires a higher level of verification of the signer’s identity, security and sealing (i.e. the document cannot be changed after it is signed).
• Burden of proof? Rests with the person initiating the signature, i.e. sending the document
• What is it for? For high risk and high value transactions and HR contracts
• Example: one-time passwords via SMS or email

Qualified

• Also known as Qualified Electronic Signature (QES).
• What is it? Legally equivalent to a handwritten signature. Based on a certificate issued by a Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP) that is on the EU Trust List (EUTL).
• Burden of proof? Burden of proof is on the party disputing the signature. Irrefutable.
• What is it for? For high risk and high value transactions and contracts. Whenever you want absolute certainty
• Example: the Belgian eID or itsme®.

You can visit your SignHere portal from any device and any location.
In SignHere Business you can upload documents from any device.
In SignHere Pro, it is not possible to upload documents from a web browser on a smartphone.

Your contacts can sign the documents they receive from any device.
They can start the signing process once they have opened the secure link to the document they have received by email.

The European eIDAS (electronic IDentification, Authentication and trust Services) Regulation lays a framework by which electronic signatures have the same legal effect as paper-based signatures across all member states of the European Union.

SignHere is an electronic signature solution that offers Qualified Electronic Signatures, the highest level of electronic signatures foreseen under the eIDAS Regulation.

Using SignHere, in case you wish to submit a document for signing by a counterparty in another member state of the European Union, we recommend that you first verify with that counterparty if he will recognize the validity of the electronic signature in that specific situation.

Electronic signatures are legal and recognized as valid in Regulation No 910/2014, known as eIDAS, which entered into force throughout Europe last July 1, 2016. The eIDAS is directly applicable in all member states by the fact that it is a regulation, and not a directive.

SignHere uses the underlying technology of Connective. Based on the analysis of DLA Piper in June 2020, if it is properly configured, Connective eSignatures allows the creation of electronic signatures within the meaning of Article 3(10) of the eIDAS Regulation and even, depending on the signature method chosen by the customer or user, certain advanced and qualified electronic signatures (within the meaning of Articles 3(11) and 3(12) of the eIDAS Regulation). Connective has also included in Connective eSignatures means guaranteeing the long-term validity of these electronic signatures, namely an integration with third-party electronic time-stamping officially recognised certificate authorities (CAs).

In this context, and with proper configuration, Connective eSignatures as an electronic signature solution allows the management of a signing process that complies with the requirements for all kinds of electronic signatures foreseen under the eIDAS Regulation.

All SignHere Editions support the same signing methods.

Signing with company identity

• TruliUs Sign: signing in the name of the company. The signature will include the full name, company and position in that company. This will be part of the visual signature and digital signature stamp.
  TruliUs Sign is an Advanced Signature according to eIDAS.

Signing as a natural person

• itsme®: mobile signing with the itsme® app.
  itsme® is a Qualified Signature according to eIDAS.
• eID: sign with an electronic identity card. Requires a card reader.
  eID is a Qualified signature according to eIDAS.
• SMS code: signing based on a code sent via SMS.
  SMS code is an Advanced signature according to eIDAS.
• Email code: sign on the basis of a code that is sent via email.
  Email code is a Qualified signature according to eIDAS.
• Manual: sign based on a manual signature on a PC or tablet.
  Manual is a Simple signature according to eIDAS.

TruliUs Sign is an exclusive signing method from SignHere.
TruliUs Sign allows you to sign documents on behalf of the company.
The digital signature includes the full name, company and position in that company.
This signature is also part of the visual signature and the digital signature stamp.

The advantage of TruliUs Sign is that you can now sign a document in name of your company instead of in your own private name.

TruliUs Sign is an Advanced Signature according to eIDAS.

eIDAS distinguishes 3 types: simple, advanced and qualified.
All 3 are legally accepted signatures but only the qualified one is similar to pen & paper.

Simple

• Also known as Simple Electronic Signature (SES).
• What is it? Proves the signer’s acceptance or approval by means of a type of certificate. E.g. manually signed on screen or clicked “I accept” button, etc.
• Burden of proof? Rests with the one who initiates the signature, i.e. sends the document
• What is it for? For simple transactions
• Example: drawing with a stylus on a tablet or making a scribble with a finger or with the mouse

Advanced

• Also known as Advanced Electronic Signature (AES).
• What is it? Requires a higher level of verification of the signer’s identity, security and sealing (i.e. the document cannot be changed after it is signed).
• Burden of proof? Rests with the person initiating the signature, i.e. sending the document
• What is it for? For high risk and high value transactions and HR contracts
• Example: one-time passwords via SMS or email

Qualified

• Also known as Qualified Electronic Signature (QES).
• What is it? Legally equivalent to a handwritten signature. Based on a certificate issued by a Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP) that is on the EU Trust List (EUTL).
• Burden of proof? Burden of proof is on the party disputing the signature. Irrefutable.
• What is it for? For high risk and high value transactions and contracts. Whenever you want absolute certainty
• Example: the Belgian eID or itsme®.

SignHere makes it possible to sign documents digitally and securely on any device. SignHere gives you an overview of the information you need.

You can find an overview of all the documents you have uploaded and their status at the SignHere portal. Once the required signatories have signed a document, you can download it and archive it with a tool of your choice, such as Sharepoint. The documents will also remain available on your portal.