Many of those who constantly interact with electronic document management have probably come across such a concept as an electronic signature. Nevertheless, for most people this term remains unfamiliar, but those who managed to try this tool were not disappointed. In simple terms, an electronic signature is an analogue of a handwritten signature. This method is often used when working with electronic documents, regardless of the field of activity. Let's take a closer look at what it is, what it is used for and how to obtain an electronic signature key.

Why do you need an electronic signature?

People who have not yet had time to get acquainted with this tool have logical questions about why, in general, an electronic digital signature is needed, when you can simply print out a document on a printer, endorse it and put the usual stamp?

So, there are a number of reasons why an electronic signature is more valuable than a real one. Let's look at them in more detail:

1. Electronic document management. In the conditions of modern computerization, there is no longer a need to save documents in paper form, as was done before. That's it now state organizations recognize the legal validity and convenience of electronic documents for several reasons:

• they don't take up space;
• stored securely;
• the process of information exchange is greatly simplified and so on.

In inter-corporate document circulation, an electronic signature has no analogues at all, since it completely solves the issue of travel for the purpose of signing documentation in subsidiaries. Access from a computer to documents of the merged companies is provided through an electronic signature, which is a guarantee of authenticity and also facilitates communication between managers.

2. Reporting. Documentation supported by an electronic signature has legal force, which means you do not need to send a courier or transport the documents yourself, you just need to open the document with the report, attach the digital signature and send it to the addressee via e-mail. All actions will take only a few minutes.

3. Government services. The main advantage is that you don’t have to waste time in long lines. An individual can simply enter an electronic signature on a universal electronic card (UEC), which already contains all the important data.

4. Online bidding. In this situation, the digital signature guarantees that a real person takes part in the auction, who bears a material obligation for non-compliance with the terms of the contract.

5. Arbitration court. Electronic documents supported by electronic signatures are recognized as full-fledged evidence.

6. Transfer of documentation. This option is especially useful legal entities, because it gives the right:

• Enter electronic reporting into the company, thus exchanging documents between departments, structures and other cities.
• Draw up and sign legally binding agreements with partners from other cities and countries.
• Provide evidence in court proceedings in electronic format, without personal presence.
• Send reports to government agencies without leaving your office.
• Receive services from the state by confirming your right to them with an electronic document.

Heads of organizations with a built-in system electronic document management forever get rid of questions about the processing and preservation of folders with important papers. Are you thinking about how to get an electronic signature key certificate now? You will find the answer to this and many other pressing questions below.

How it works?

The qualified type of electronic key is the most common, since the principle of its operation is extremely simple - the digital signature is registered in the Certification Center, where its electronic copy is stored.

Don't know how to get an electronic signature verification key certificate? A copy is sent to partners, and only the owner company has access to the original key certificate.

Having received the electronic key, the owner installs a special program on the computer that generates a signature, which is a block with the following data:

• Date the document was signed.
• Information about the person who signed.
• Key ID.

After receiving the documentation, partners must receive a qualified electronic signature verification key certificate to carry out the decryption process, that is, authentication control. The digital signature certificate is valid for one year and contains the following information:

• License plate.
• Validity.
• Information about registration with the Certification Center (CA).
• Data about the user and the CA where it was manufactured.
• List of industries where it can be used.
• Authenticity guaranteed.

Forge digital signature It is almost impossible, for this reason it is unrealistic to insure it against falsification. All processes using keys are carried out exclusively within the program, whose original interface helps in the implementation of electronic document management.

The procedure for obtaining an electronic signature. Step-by-step instruction

Having studied all the advantages of an electronic signature, you decided to get it. Wonderful! But here the question arises: how to obtain an electronic signature key? The answer to it is in the expanded step by step instructions presented below.

1. Selecting the digital signature type.
2. Selection of a certification organization.
3. Filling out an application for the production of an electronic signature.
4. Payment by invoice after the application is confirmed.
5. Preparation of a set of documents.
6. Obtaining a digital signature. You must come to the certification center with the original documents (or photocopies certified by a notary) that are required to issue an electronic signature, with a receipt for payment of the invoice; in addition, legal entities and individual entrepreneurs should have a stamp with them.

The obtaining process itself is very simple, however, in some situations, obtaining an electronic signature may be refused, for example, the application contains erroneous data or an incomplete package of documents is provided. In such cases, errors should be corrected and the application resubmitted.

Step 1. Selecting the type of digital signature

Don't know how to get an unqualified electronic signature key? First of all, you should understand the types of digital signatures, which, according to federal law some:

1. Simple. It contains information about the owner of the signature so that the recipient of the documentation can understand who the sender is. Such a signature is not protected against forgery.
2. Reinforced. It is also divided into subspecies:

• Unqualified - contains information not only about the sender, but also about amendments made after signing.
• Qualified is the most reliable type of signature. It is highly secure and also has legal force and is 100% equivalent to a handwritten signature. A qualified signature is issued exclusively in organizations accredited by the FSB.

Most customers apply for a qualified signature, which is understandable, since electronic signatures are hunted by scammers of various categories, as well as other keys that provide access to personal information and financial-related transactions.

Step 2. Certification authority

Don't know where to get an electronic signature key? In a certification center, this is an institution engaged in the production and issuance of electronic digital signatures. Now there are more than a hundred similar centers operating in Russia.

Step 3. Completing the application

The online application will save personal time, and it contains a minimum amount of information: initials, contact telephone number and email address. After sending, you will receive a call from a certification center employee within an hour to clarify the entered data. During the conversation, he will be able to answer all your questions and advise on the types of electronic digital signatures.

Step 4. Payment

Don't know how to get an electronic signature key? First, you need to pay the invoice, this is done before receiving the digital signature. Immediately after confirming the application and agreeing on the nuances with the client, an invoice is issued in his name. The cost of a digital signature varies depending on the chosen organization, area of ​​residence and type of signature. Price includes:

• Generating a signing key certificate.
• Software that is required to generate signatures and send documentation.
• Technical support.

The cost of a digital signature starts from 1,500 rubles, the average ranges from 5 to 7 thousand rubles. When ordering large quantity signatures, for example, for the entire organization, the minimum cost may be lower.

Step 5. Preparing documentation

Don’t know how to get an electronic signature key for an individual entrepreneur? The list of documents for different categories of citizens differs significantly: an individual, a legal entity or an individual entrepreneur, therefore, we will analyze the package of documents required to obtain an electronic signature separately for each group.

Legal entities

• Original passport of the general director.
• Photocopy of pages 2 and 3 in 1 copy.
• OGRN certificate.
• Documents on the establishment of the organization (Charter or constituent agreement).
• SNILS.
• Extract from a single state register legal entities (the form must have the seal of the Federal Tax Service, as well as the signature, surname and position of the department employee).

Individual entrepreneurs

In order to obtain an electronic signature key for the tax office, an individual entrepreneur must provide the following set of documents:

• Original passport.
• Copy of pages 2 and 3 in the passport - 1 copy.
• Photocopy of document about state registration individual as an individual entrepreneur - 1 copy.
• SNILS.
• Photocopy of the document on registration with tax organization- 1 copy.
• An extract from the Unified State Register of Individual Entrepreneurs, certified by a notary (the issuance period should not exceed 30 days).
• Application for production of digital signature.
• Application for accession to the Regulations of the Certification Authority.
• Consent to the processing of the applicant’s personal information.

If you have a power of attorney and a passport, the digital signature of an individual entrepreneur can be taken by his authorized representative.

Individuals

How to obtain an electronic signature key for a tax office for an individual? First of all, you should prepare the following documents:

• Citizen's passport.
• SNILS.
• Application for the production of an electronic signature.

Step 6. Obtaining a digital signature: the final stage

And finally, we come to the last question: where to get an electronic signature key for government services and other services? This can be done at special delivery points located throughout Russia. Detailed information about certification centers is located on the official website of the organization, at special section. In general, the period for obtaining a digital signature does not exceed three days.

There may be delay on the part of the applicant due to late payment of the invoice or errors in the documentation.

Important! Pay great attention to the extract from the unified state register of legal entities and individuals, since the process of preparing the document takes 5 working days!

Now you know where and how to get an electronic signature key. The registration process is quite simple, and proper preparation it will take very little time.

A digital signature for an individual is a means of cryptographic information protection that allows you to sign virtual documents directly on your computer.

What is an electronic signature

(abbreviated as CP, EP or EDS) makes it possible to identify the identity of the signatory. The verification is a unique sequence of several characters, which is generated using cryptographic transformation of information, and simply put, it is a flash drive with a key fob to sign virtual documents. Just as the stroke of a pen is an integral requisite for using a paper document, so an electronic signature is a requisite for a document created on a computer. Just as your individual autograph is a unique symbol, a digital or electronic signature for an individual is also unique. A document on the Internet signed with an electronic digital signature has the same legal force as data on a paper document signed with one’s own hand.

For several years now, “cloud” electronic signatures have been issued - those that are stored on the server of the certification center, and the user accesses them via the Internet. This is convenient so as not to carry a flash drive with you everywhere. This is how the website gosuslugi.ru works. But this type of digital signature also has a disadvantage - they are not suitable for working with portals government agencies(for example, the Federal Tax Service website).

Who needs it and why?

There is a certain category of people who do not need a digital signature. These people get a special pleasure, understandable only to them, by choosing and visiting various institutions, jostling in queues, cursing the weather, and at the same time the authorities of all stripes. Other citizens with access to the Internet will benefit from it.

Thus, digital signature for government services for individuals allows access to the full range of electronic online services provided by a single portal public services.

It will also help:

• apply for admission to a higher education institution;
• confirm your identity;
• participate in electronic trading;
• conclude contracts for remote work;
• submit via the Internet.

What types of digital signatures are there: comparison

: simple, qualified and unqualified.

Simple– this is usually the login and password to enter the site or codes in SMS messages.

Reinforced unskilled– issued by certification centers, but does not work everywhere. It is more reliable than a simple signature, but less reliable than an enhanced qualified signature.

Enhanced Qualified Electronic Signature- this is the one that was received in a special accredited institution, has full legal force and is used in courts and other government agencies. A qualified digital signature completely replaces the traditional handwritten one.

Both enhanced digital signatures are obtained as a result of cryptographic transformation of information using an electronic signature key - according to the principle of information encryption.

How to obtain an electronic signature for an individual for the State Services website

To obtain a qualified electronic signature, contact a specialized Certification Center that has state accreditation for this type of activity. A list of such centers in your region can be found on the government services portal or on the website of the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications. The easiest way is to choose one of the Rostelecom service offices.

To do this you must provide:

• passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation;
• state insurance certificate Pension Fund ();
• certificate of registration with the tax authority ().

You will also need an application and e-mail address.

Register in advance for State Services

At any Certification Center you should receive a private key with an electronic signature on a USB drive, a public key and a certificate.

In order to reduce the time for issuing media with a digital/electronic signature, and to be able to immediately check the operation of the device, preferably before receiving an electronic EDS signatures Register yourself on the government services portal.

What is ESIA and why is it needed?

When you register on the gosuslugi.ru portal or on another government website, a universal account is created for you, and you will no longer need to register again each time.

The number of resources connected to the unified identification and authentication system is growing. Already now it is:

1. Gosuslugi.ru.
2. Website of the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation.
3. Website of the Federal Tax Service of the Russian Federation.
4. Website of the Mayor of Moscow...
5. GIS housing and communal services system
6. Websites of schools and universities.
7. and much more

How to restore digital signature

Are you afraid of losing your electronic signature? The main thing is not to tell anyone your PIN code. In this case, no one except you will have access to the electronic signature. If the key is lost or stolen, contact the certification center. There you will receive a new key and certificate.

Electronic signature for individuals: free or for money

How much does it cost, how can I get an EDS for individuals for free, and do citizens have a legal opportunity not to pay for EDS?

To be sent to the tax authorities tax documents (declarations, statements and other information) use an enhanced non-qualified electronic signature. It is obtained free of charge, without visiting the Certification Center, directly in the “Taxpayer’s Personal Account for Individuals” on the official website of the Federal Tax Service of Russia. Signed by her electronic documents are recognized by the tax service as equivalent to paper documents. In this case, the key for your electronic digital signature is stored on your computer or in the cloud, in the protected storage of the Federal Tax Service.

For basic work on the public services portal the third type of electronic signature is used - the so-called simple one - this is a login and password to enter the system. You receive them when registering on the portal after receiving a confirmation code. Here, too, you don’t have to pay money, all registration is free.

To send documents through government services and applications to government agencies (for passports, declarations, etc.), you will have to obtain a qualified digital signature - through the office of Rostelecom or another CA (we wrote about this above). It's free.

If an electronic signature is needed for other tasks (participation in government procurement, exchange of contracts and acts with partners and customers), then a qualified electronic signature is no longer provided for free for individuals - you will have to pay in any case, since the USB drive itself that you will be given , costs money - about 500-700 rubles.

Some Certification Authorities request larger amounts for the service. In such cases, the cost, as a rule, includes the provision of a special program for using the CPU (you do not have to search for it yourself and download it from the Internet), detailed instructions, or even training in working with a new device.

Electronic signature validity period

The signature is valid for 1 year from the date of its production; after this period it is renewed. To do this, you will have to go through all the above procedures again.

For public services, the electronic signature of an individual is renewed free of charge, similar to the initial issuance, only without a personal visit for personal identification.

What you need to know to apply for digital signature

Basic normative act regulating the use of electronic signatures in the Russian Federation is the Law “On Electronic Signatures” dated 04/06/2011 No. 63-FZ (hereinafter referred to as the Federal Law “On Electronic Signatures”). According to this law, digital signature is nothing more than information in electronic form, which is attached to other information in a similar form to identify the person who certified the information.

In order to apply for an electronic signature, you need to decide what type of signature is required:

1. A simple digital signature is, as a rule, necessary for document management in an organization, but it does not confirm the immutability of the document (required, for example, for a government services portal).
2. Non-qualified digital signature - necessary when exchanging documents between several participants who have entered into an agreement on the possibility of using such an identification tool. At the same time, the signature ensures the immutability of the information contained in it.
3. Qualified digital signature - used for submitting reports to fiscal authorities and participating in electronic auctions.

According to Art. 13 of the Federal Law “On Electronic Signatures”, only a certification center can create and issue key certificates for electronic signature verification. The place for submitting documents is determined depending on what type of signature is chosen. For example, a qualified signature can only be obtained from an accredited certification center, while there are no such requirements for the first two types.

A list of all accredited certification centers can be found on the official website of the Ministry of Communications and mass communications RF, on the page http://minsvyaz.ru/ru/activity/govservices/2 (information is constantly updated). Additional Information information about such centers is available on the portal of the authorized body - http://e-trust.gosuslugi.ru/CA.

List of documents required to obtain digital signature

The legislator in Part 2 of Art. 18 of the Federal Law “On Electronic Signature” specifies that in order to obtain a qualified digital signature certificate, the applicant must submit the following documents:

For legal entities:

Don't know your rights?

• OGRN,
• passport and document certifying the authority of the applicant (power of attorney);
• order on the appointment of the head of the organization;
• SNILS of the applicant;
• details of the organization (an optional condition, but required by many certification centers for subsequent invoicing for services);
• extract from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities (not older than 1 month).

• certificate of state registration;
• IP passport;
• SNILS IP;
• extract from the Unified State Register of Individual Entrepreneurs;
• organization details.

As for the cost of services for issuing digital signatures, certification centers, in accordance with Part 7 of Art. 13 of the Federal Law “On Electronic Signature”, you have the right to install it yourself. The production time for an EDS key is also set by the certification center and depends on the type of signature. So, if you need an unqualified one, it can be produced in a few days.

The stages of obtaining an electronic signature are as follows:

1. Determination of the type of digital signature.
2. Contact the certification center and fill out an application (possibly in electronic form).
3. Preparation necessary documents.
4. Payment for center services.
5. Obtaining an electronic signature.

Many centers offer services technical support user for the duration of the signature. If the organization does not have a programmer on staff, then such services are necessary, since many questions arise in the process of working with digital signatures.

So, the package of documents for obtaining an electronic signature is established by law. Currently, the practice of obtaining such a signature has been established, so no problems should arise.

IN modern conditions electronic document management becomes necessary not only for large organizations, individual entrepreneurs, but often even for individuals.

An electronic document, which is given legal force by an electronic signature (hereinafter referred to as ES), can be sent to the specified address in a matter of minutes without any couriers and at the same time have a high degree of protection.

Therefore, it is not surprising that various types of entrepreneurs are increasingly showing interest in information about, the rules for obtaining it, the possibility of application, the degree of protection, terms of use, etc.

Five simple steps

The process of obtaining an electronic signature is simple, but it has its own characteristics and sequence.

Decision on the type of electronic signature

According to Russian Federation Two types of ES are defined for use – simple and reinforced.

In turn, reinforced is divided into unskilled and qualified.

Each type of ES has its own feature set:

1. Simple electronic signature using logins, passwords, codes and others technical means, approves the creation of an electronic document by a certain person.
2. Protected by cryptographic transformation unqualified EP makes it possible not only to establish the fact of signature of an electronic document by an identified person, but also, if it is changed after approval, to detect this fact.
3. Qualified electronic signature In addition to the above functions, it is reinforced with a verification key. To create it, cryptographic protection methods certified by the FSB of the Russian Federation are used, therefore state regulatory organizations require confirmation of electronic documents with this particular type of signature (PFR, FSS, Federal Tax Service, etc.).

Definition of a Certification Authority (CA)

When choosing a CA you need to use only official sources. In this case, source No. 1 will be the portal of the Ministry of Communications and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation, which accredits all CAs.

You should pay attention to whether the CA has FSB licenses, giving the right to encrypt information. It is also important to find out whether the CA provides installation and maintenance services or only pursues commercial purpose EP sales.

And, of course, the territorial proximity of the CA will make the procedure for obtaining and further extending the period of use of the electronic signature more comfortable.

Submitting an application

An application and documents required by law must be sent to the selected CA. Requirements for the list of necessary documents for legal entities (as opposed to other types of applicants) require submission to the CA the largest package of documents.

The most minimal basic list of documents when applying for an electronic signature is required for individuals. For such customers as legal entities and individual entrepreneurs, the basic list is supplemented with requirements specified by law.

If the legal entity that has submitted an application for an ES key certificate works in the structure management company, then you will additionally need to submit documents confirming the transfer of powers from the management company to this legal entity, as well as a package of documents of the management company as a legal entity.

All prepared documents can be submitted in person to the CA office or remotely in the form of scans through the center’s website.

If documents are submitted through a proxy, you will additionally need a notarized power of attorney and a passport of the person who is authorized to submit a package of documents and (or) receive a certificate of electronic signature keys.

Payment for the key certificate

Payment is made in any convenient way to the current account of the CA, of which it is notified with a confirming document.

The customer receives special, licensed software for using the digital signature and an electronic key.

Many Certification Authorities additionally provide installation and further services maintenance software , which allows the customer to be a confident user of the digital signature and not worry that at a crucial moment electronic trading or another situation, unsolvable problems may arise.

If we talk about the cost of an electronic signature key certificate, then it is quite obvious that it is the total results of the ordered services and depends on the type of electronic signature. However, the price is influenced not only by the type of electronic device, the possible range of its application, but also price policy Certification center.

Consequently, the customer can receive a comprehensive answer with exact figures for the cost of an electronic key certificate at the nearest Certification Center or on its website.

Receiving a document

By contacting the office of the Certification Center, the applicant must submit original documents for verification, after which he receives next set:

1. A file on a medium with a digital signature verification key certificate with a paper copy. The certificate confirms the validity of the digital signature owner's key, which contains information about the person who signed the document.
2. Installation files and accompanying documentation.
3. Flash drive (eToken, Rutoken) with electronic key files.
4. Electronic signature means, i.e. license for the right to use a software product.

Manufacturing

These time frames are mainly due to How ready and correctly completed is the required package of documents of the applicant?. Ideally, the procedure may take only one hour, but if the documents are prepared incorrectly or incompletely, the speed of receipt will depend on the speed of the applicant’s actions to eliminate the causes of the delay. In practice, this process usually takes 2-3 days.

Key certificate validity period

The duration of use of the ES is determined one year. The certificate can then be renewed; the procedure at the Certification Center follows the same scheme as the initial application.

However, there are situations when it is necessary terminate the certificate early:

• the organization has changed its details;
• there has been a change in management or trustee in the organization;
• the media storing the electronic signature has been damaged;
• suspicion arose or the fact of access of unauthorized persons to the access keys occurred.

In such cases, to cancel the electronic signature, you need to contact the Certification Center that issued the certificate for use, and then issue the electronic signature again.

Authentication and PIN code

On the State Services website you can very quickly and easily check the electronic signature for authenticity. The PIN code provided for the storage medium (Rutoken, eToken) is required to install drivers on the customer’s computer.

After installing the software, the PIN code on the existing storage medium can be changed.

The owner of the electronic signature is issued two keys. Private key used to create digital signatures and encrypt documents in electronic form. Public key necessary when checking the electronic signature for authenticity. If a dispute arises regarding the authenticity of the electronic signature, you can contact the Certification Center, where a duplicate of the public key is stored.

Creating a document flow

ES allows you to create electronic document management within one organization with the ability to quickly work with its branches or to interact with external agents.

In the document flow of a single organization, the electronic signature can be used on all internal exchange documents: organizational and administrative, reporting, personnel, etc.

An electronic document, compared to a paper counterpart, reaches the addressee faster, and after approval using an electronic signature, it can be sent for execution at the same time.

Use of electronic signature in intercorporate document flow promotes quick and clear interaction, building a trusting partnership, because the legal force of such documents will be accepted even by the court. Documents signed by electronic signature can be stored electronically in the archive without losing their legal force.

Also, the use of electronic signature allows significantly reduce costs related to the preparation, movement and storage of documents, as well as ensuring the protection of their confidentiality.

Participation in electronic trading

The presence of ES is prerequisite participation in electronic trading. Commercial purchases and purchases under government orders take place on special websites (platforms). To obtain accreditation for them, you need to provide an electronic key certificate.

In this case, customers and suppliers are convinced that they are entering into a relationship with real persons and can consider them commercial offers. Since the application of No. 44-FZ and No. 223-FZ requires the creation of specialized sites different from those where procurement takes place not for government needs, then the level of requirements for the characteristics of electronic devices at these sites is different.

When planning participation in all types of tenders (government procurement and ordinary ones), it is advisable to make the electronic signature universal, satisfying all possible requirements. However, such a digital signature will cost significantly more than a digital signature created to participate in one type of procurement.

Electronic reporting

Thanks to the electronic signature, the process of submitting reports to various institutions and departments has become possible in electronic form: reports to the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation, the Federal Tax Service of the Russian Federation, periodic statistical reports, etc.

The electronic signature gives the document legal force, due to which the electronic report becomes equivalent the usual report on paper, but is delivered to the addressee tens of times faster. Another advantage of this type of reporting is the ability to scan documents for errors.

According to the Arbitration Procedural Code of the Russian Federation, the electronic signature can be considered along with a written handwritten signature as written evidence in the event of disagreements and consideration of the case. Consequently, all electronic documents signed by electronic signature will be evidence when considering disagreements in the Arbitration Court.

Use by individuals

It should be noted that Lately ES is also becoming increasingly important for individuals. Individuals can purchase an electronic signature to receive government services: changing the passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation and obtaining a foreign passport, obtaining a Taxpayer Identification Number, registering real estate in the cadastral register, registering as an individual entrepreneur, etc.

Using electronic signature, citizens can certify emails and appeals sent by them to various government agencies.

The presence of electronic signatures among individuals makes it possible for legal entities to carry out transactions with them electronic document management. Thus, with remote workers it is possible to electronically sign employment and other contracts, certificates of work performed, familiarize workers with orders against signature, etc. This area of ​​using electronic technology is just beginning to develop, but it has a great future.

With the development of telecommunications networks, many types of business began to be carried out remotely, and such work is becoming commonplace. In order for the relationship between employer and employee to be formalized in accordance with the requirements labor legislation, two-way signing required employment contract or a civil act. The presence of an electronic signature makes the possibility of remote relations between the employee and the employer real within the current legal framework.

Summarizing the above, we can draw a short conclusion: it is easy to get an electronic signature, and with it many advantages and benefits. By contacting the nearest Certification Center, you can verify this in practice.

Why do you need an EDS? Details were discussed in this conference.

Electronic signature(ES) is information in electronic digital form that can be used to identify an individual or legal entity without his personal presence.

In electronic document management, two types of electronic signature are used:

• simple electronic signature;
• enhanced electronic signature (can be qualified or unqualified).

They differ in the degree of protection and scope of application.

2. What is a simple electronic signature?

A simple electronic signature is essentially a combination of login and password, confirmation code by email, SMS, USSD, and the like.

Any document signed in this way is, by default, not equivalent to a paper document signed by hand. This is a kind of statement of intent, which means the party agrees with the terms of the transaction, but does not participate in it.

But if the parties enter into an agreement to recognize an electronic signature as an analogue of a handwritten one in a personal meeting, then such documents may acquire legal significance. This, for example, happens when you connect an online bank to a credit or debit card. A bank employee identifies you by your passport, and you sign an agreement to connect to online banking. In the future, you use a simple electronic signature, but it has the same legal force as a handwritten one.

3. What is a strong unqualified electronic signature?

A strengthened unqualified electronic signature is two unique sequences of characters that are uniquely related to each other: the electronic signature key and the electronic signature verification key. To form this link, cryptographic information protection tools are used ( Cryptographic information protection tools (CIPF) are tools that allow you to sign digital documents electronic signature, as well as encrypt the data contained in them, thereby facilitating their reliable protection from interference by third parties. CIPF are implemented in the form software products and technical solutions.

The enhanced unqualified signature itself is not an analogue of a handwritten signature. It means that the document was signed by a specific person and has not been changed since then. But such a signature is usually valid only in conjunction with an agreement to recognize it as handwritten. True, not everywhere, but only in the document flow with the department (organization) with which such an agreement was signed.

4. What is an enhanced qualified electronic signature?

An enhanced qualified electronic signature differs from an enhanced unqualified one in that cryptographic information protection tools (CIPF) certified by the FSB of the Russian Federation are used to generate it. And only a certification center accredited by the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation can issue such a signature. In this case, the guarantor of authenticity is the qualified certificate of the electronic signature verification key provided by such a center. The certificate is issued on a USB drive. To use it, in some cases you may need to install additional software.

An enhanced qualified signature is an analogue of a handwritten signature. It can be used everywhere, but to use it with a number of organizations, you need to enter additional information into a qualified electronic signature certificate.

How to obtain an enhanced qualified electronic signature

To obtain an enhanced qualified electronic signature you will need:

• identification document;
• insurance certificate of compulsory pension insurance (SNILS);
• individual taxpayer number (TIN);
• main state registration number records of state registration of an individual as an individual entrepreneur (if you are an individual entrepreneur);
• an additional set of documents confirming your authority to act on behalf of the legal entity (if you receive the signature of a representative of the legal entity).

Documents must be submitted to an accredited certification center (you can find them in the list or on the map) or to the business service center in the Eastern Administrative District at the address: Moscow, Srednyaya Pervomaiskaya street, building 3. An employee of the center, after establishing your identity and checking the documents , will write the certificate and electronic signature keys onto a certified electronic medium - an electronic card or flash drive. You can also purchase information cryptographic protection products there.

The cost of the service for providing a certificate and electronic signature keys is determined by the regulations of the accredited certification center and depends, in particular, on the scope of application of the electronic signature.

5. Does an electronic signature have an expiration date?

The validity period of an electronic signature verification key certificate (both qualified and unqualified) depends on the cryptographic information protection tool (CIPF) used and the certification center where the certificate was received.

Typically, the validity period is one year.

Signed documents are valid even after the expiration of the electronic signature verification key certificate.

6. What is ESIA and why is it needed?

Federal State Information System " one system Identification and Authorization" (USIA) is a system that allows citizens to interact with authorities online.

Its advantage is that a user who has registered once in the system (on the gosuslugi.ru portal) does not need to go through the registration procedure on government and other resources each time to gain access to any information or service. Also, to use resources that interact with the ESIA, you do not need to additionally identify your identity and equate a simple electronic signature with a handwritten one - this has already been done.

With the development of e-government and electronic document management in general, the number of resources interacting with the Unified Identification and Automation System is growing. Thus, private organizations can also use the ESIA.

Since 2018, a system for remote identification of clients of Russian banks and users began to operate information systems subject to registration with the Unified Identification and Automation Agency and the citizen providing his biometric data (facial image and voice sample) to a unified biometric system. That is, you can receive banking services without leaving your home.

There are several account levels on the gosuslugi.ru portal. Using the simplified and standard levels, you sign applications with a simple electronic signature. But to gain access to all services, you need a verified account - for this you need to confirm your identity, that is, equate a simple electronic signature to a handwritten one.

On the website of the Federal Tax Service

Individuals receiving services through Personal Area on the website of the Federal Tax Service, use an enhanced unqualified signature, equivalent to a handwritten one. A verification key certificate can be obtained in your personal account, but personal identification and equating an electronic signature to a handwritten one occur at the level of entering your personal account: you can log in either using the login and password that are issued during a personal visit to the tax office, or using a confirmed account records on the gosuslugi.ru portal, or even using an enhanced qualified electronic signature.

And here individual entrepreneurs and legal entities may need an enhanced qualified signature to receive services (for example, to register an online cash register).

On the Rosreestr website

Some of Rosreestr’s services (for example, submit an application, make an appointment) can be obtained using a simple electronic signature. But most services are provided to those who have an enhanced qualified electronic signature.

To participate in electronic trading

In order to participate in electronic trading, you need an enhanced qualified electronic signature.