QC for electronic signature

Qualified certificate for electronic signature (hereinafter only "QC for signature") means a certificate for electronic signature, that is issued by a qualified trust service provider and meets the requirements laid down in Annex I of Regulation (EU) No. 910/2014 (eIDAS).

QC for signatures shall contain:

  • an indication, at least in a form suitable for automated processing, that the certificate has been issued as a qualified certificate for electronic signature;;
  • a set of data unambiguously representing the qualified trust service provider issuing the qualified certificates including at least, the Member State in which that provider is established and:
    1. for a legal person: the name and, where applicable, registration number as stated in the official records,
    2. for a natural person: the person’s name;
  • at least the name of the signatory, or a pseudonym; if a pseudonym is used, it shall be clearly indicated;
  • electronic signature validation data that corresponds to the electronic signature creation data;
  • details of the beginning and end of the certificate’s period of validity;
  • the certificate identity code, which must be unique for the qualified trust service provider;
  • the advanced electronic signature or advanced electronic seal of the issuing qualified trust service provider;
  • the location where the certificate supporting the advanced electronic signature or advanced electronic seal x`is available free of charge;
  • the location of the services that can be used to enquire about the validity status of the qualified certificate;
  • where the electronic signature creation data related to the electronic signature validation data is located in a qualified electronic signature creation device, an appropriate indication of this, at least in a form suitable for automated processing.

QC for signature - purpose

QC for signature is intended only for the purposes of creating and verifying advanced electronic signatures and qualified electronic signatures . If aqualified electronic signature needs to be created, the cryptographic keys (public key and private key) shall be generated and stored in a qualified electronic signature device (QSCD - Qualified Signature/Seal Creation Device), that meets the requirements set out in Annex II of Regulation No. 910/2014 (eIDAS).

A qualified signature has a legal effect equivalent to a handwritten signature [Article 25 (2) of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010]. 910/2014 (eIDAS)]

How to get QC for signature?

To obtain a QC for signature, the following steps must be taken:

  • To make an appointment in advance - it is possible to use the issue date reservation service
  • To visit the registration authority in person, or to authorize another natural person to do so
  • Present the necessary identity documents
  • Submit additional documents
  • If payment is not made in cash or by payment card, submit billing information

Price list for the issuing of QC for signature and price list for packages (QESi Pack) that contain it.

Identification of the applicant

A QC for signature is always issued for a specific natural person. The certificate must contain the name and surname of the certificate holder as a mandatory field. In order to verify identity, the applicant must present two identity documents:

  • primary document: valid identification document - national identification card resp. passport
  • Secondary document: passport (if not presented as primary document), driver's license, birth certificate, service card, firearms license, health insurance card.

In addition, if the applicant wishes to have additional dissemination data in the QC that may further specify his or her relationship with a legal entity, the following information may also be included in the QC: organization name, organizational unit, city, county, country code.

In the event that the applicant wants to use QC in contact with public authorities, his QC may contain its identifier in the form of birth identification number or ID card number respectively.

The applicant must prove the validity of all data in a credible manner. If the applicant is represented by an authorized person in the proceedings at the registration authority, he must present a notarized entrust or power of attorney confirming this fact. We only accept verified entrust or verified power of attorney, which are filled in the form created by us, which we will send to you electronically upon request.

Certificate issuance process

After verifying the identity of the applicant for QC for signature and generating the application for QC, the RA worker will forward the application to the CA for processing. After the certificate is issued, the RA worker and the applicant shall sign the relevant documentation. Once issued, QC is imported into the qualified device (QSCD) where the cryptographic keys were generated. Thereafter, the RA worker shall hand over the qualified device (QSCD) with the QC to the holder or a person authorized by the holder. The process of issuing of QC takes about 20 minutes.

Validity of QC for signature

QC for signature is usually issued with the validity of 1, 2 and 3 years respectively (365, 730 or 1095 days). After the end of this period, QC automatically expires and the QC can no longer be used for the purpose for which it was issued. An expired or revoked QC may not be renewed.

QC for signature where cryptographic keys are not generated and stored in QSCD

For the issuance of this type of qualified certificate, the procedures are described in section Certificate for electronic signature.