What you see
The certification page is identical to the one administrations know: ABC Translation Sàrl letterhead, certification statement, agency stamp, director's signature, order number. An official who prints the document sees what they are used to seeing.
What is inside the file
Two cryptographic layers are sealed over the whole PDF:
| Layer | Paper equivalent | What it proves |
|---|---|---|
| Qualified electronic signature (QES) | The handwritten signature | An identified person signed |
| Electronic seal of ABC Translation Sàrl | The agency stamp | The document comes from the company |
The signature and seal cover every byte of the file. If a single letter is changed after signing, verification software flags it immediately.
The legal basis
- Art. 14 para. 2bis CO: a qualified electronic signature with a qualified electronic time stamp is equivalent to a handwritten signature.
- Federal Act on Electronic Signatures (ESigA): sets the requirements for certification service providers recognised in Switzerland and the regulated electronic seal for legal entities.
- The seal is linked to the UID number of ABC Translation Sàrl and identifies the company as a legal entity.
How the signatory's identity is established
Before receiving a qualified certificate, the signatory is identified by a recognised certification service provider on presentation of an official identity document. The resulting certificate is personal and time-limited. This is what lets the recipient know with certainty who signed.
Three ways to verify
- Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader: a banner shows that the document is signed and that the signature is valid.
- Upload the file to validator.ch, the Swiss Confederation's official validator: it produces a report stating that the signature is qualified, who the signatory is and that the document is intact.
- Enter the number on our verification page: instant answer, in your language.
Is a scanned signature a qualified electronic signature?
No. The image of a signature has no particular evidential value. Only a cryptographic signature based on a qualified certificate is equivalent to a handwritten one.
Do I need special software to read the document?
No. Any PDF reader displays it. To check the signature, Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) or validator.ch is enough.