Who needs an electronic signature and how to get it

What is a simple electronic signature

This is a combination of data that allows you to understand that it is you who are sending information or performing an operation. A bunch of login and password, codes from SMS and the like work in this capacity. You, without noticing it, use such a signature almost every day. It is suitable for simple operations like authorization on a website, sending complaints to departments.

Sometimes a simple electronic signature can be equated with a handwritten one. This happens if for some case it is provided for by a separate law or you personally signed an agreement with someone with whom you will interact using a simple signature.

For example, you conclude an agreement with a bank and receive a debit card. Come with a passport, sign an agreement, one of the conditions of which is the use of a mobile application. Now you can open, say, a credit account right there. Your electronic signature - a set of characters for entering the application and an SMS-code - is enough to complete this operation. And if you suddenly stop paying on the loan, the bank will be able to go to court, since this transaction has legal significance.

A simple signature is vulnerable enough that it is not suitable for important property documents. Due to the low level of security, it practically makes no sense for business: it will not work to interact with government agencies with its help, and simpler identification methods can be used for internal document flow. For example, even a simple e-mail from a specific address can be considered a simple electronic signature, if you have agreed on this in advance.

How to get the

To do this, you need to register and go through identification in the structure for which a simple electronic signature is intended. For example, sign an agreement, as in the example with the bank. You get a simple electronic signature for "Gosuslugi" when you pass the identification at the certification center or enter the code received by mail.

What is an unqualified enhanced electronic signature

An unqualified reinforced EP is a little more complicated than a simple one. It consists of two strings of symbols: an electronic signature key and a key for verifying it. The connection between them is formed by means of cryptographic information protection. Therefore, this signature is less vulnerable than a simple one. It confirms that it was you who signed the document and the text has not changed since that moment. The ES key is usually stored on a USB drive or in the cloud. The first option is, for obvious reasons, safer, as cloud storage can be hacked.

Unqualified enhanced ES is still not an analogue of a handwritten signature. But it can be considered it if the participants in the workflow conclude an agreement on this. True, it will acquire legal significance only for the parties to such an agreement.

A simple example is filing a tax return on the FTS website. You can issue an unqualified electronic signature right there. However, you can use it only to send documents to the tax office.

An unqualified enhanced electronic signature is suitable for businessmen to exchange papers with partners and counterparties. But there are two "buts". First, agreements must be made with them. Secondly, the functionality of such an electronic signature is still limited, so it makes sense to receive it only with a large volume of document flow. And still, there will be more sense from a qualified signature.

How to get the

Instructions on how to get an unqualified electronic signature for an individual to interact with the Federal Tax Service are in the text on the tax deduction. In general, there is no regulation on who can generate such signatures. So, the ES can be either obtained at a certification center accredited by the state, or made independently or with the help of a familiar IT specialist.

What is a Qualified Enhanced Electronic Signature

This is the queen of electronic signatures. Documents executed with its help are equated to those that are signed with your own hand. Therefore, with a qualified enhanced electronic signature, you can remotely sell property, participate in auctions, interact with departments - in general, do everything that is available during a personal visit.

This type of signature is the most secure. It is issued only at a certification center accredited by the state. The Office provides a verification key certificate that guarantees the authenticity of the signature. It is issued in electronic format. To work with the signature, you will also need to install special software. Which one - it is better to find out at the certification center.

It sounds great, but there is a caveat: the service is paid. Moreover, the signature is valid for 12 to 15 months, and you need to update it for money. You will have to pay separately for certified electronic media. The cost depends on the certification center, region, your status (individual or legal entity), the purposes for which you will use the ES. On average, registration will cost about 2–3 thousand rubles, renewal will be cheaper.

Most individuals can easily do without a qualified electronic signature. For ordinary life situations, it is not needed. But it will brighten up the life of those who do business, sign and send a lot of documents, report to departments and so on.

How to get the

Contact a certification center. You can check whether he has accreditation on the website of the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications. An individual will need an identity card, SNILS and TIN. If a person is registered as an individual entrepreneur, you must additionally provide the main state registration number of the record of registration as an individual entrepreneur. To get an ES for a legal entity, you must bring:

constituent documents;
a document confirming the fact of making an entry about a legal entity in the Unified State Register of Legal Entities;
certificate of registration with the tax authority.

Usually, an application is left on the center's website in advance. In response, the organization sends an application form for receiving an electronic signature and an invoice for payment. Then it will remain to personally go to the center with the documents to receive a signature certificate. EP is usually done in one day.