Mobile phone signature: How to sign a document on your mobile phone

Published November 7, 2024

Mark Kesselmann Product Marketing Manager d.velop AG

mobile phone signature

The mobile phone signature is revolutionising the way we sign documents by making it possible to sign documents quickly and securely on a mobile phone. In an increasingly digital world, this method offers a practical and efficient solution to minimise bureaucracy and waiting times. With a mobile phone signature, you can provide legally binding signatures without being tied to a fixed workplace. This technology uses advanced cryptographic methods to ensure the authenticity and integrity of your signature. Find out in this blog article how you can use the mobile phone signature to sign documents conveniently and securely on your mobile phone.

What is a mobile phone signature?

A mobile phone signature is a digital signature that is used on mobile devices to sign electronic documents in a legally binding manner. It serves as an electronic version of a handwritten signature and guarantees the authenticity and integrity of the signed documents. The mobile phone signature is based on cryptographic procedures that ensure that the person signing can be clearly identified and that the signed document cannot be changed without being noticed after it has been signed. In order to use a mobile phone signature, a special signature certificate is required, which is issued by a certified trust service provider. This certificate is used during the signature process to verify the identity of the signatory.

The mobile phone signature is used in many areas, especially in the business and official environment, where it is important to sign documents quickly and securely. Thanks to its high security standards and ease of use, the mobile phone signature is becoming increasingly important and is being accepted by more and more institutions and companies. It is an important step towards the paperless office and digital transformation. The implementation of a mobile phone signature requires an electronic signature app that can enable communication with the certification authority and perform cryptographic operations securely. These applications are designed to be easy to integrate and use for both end users and organisations. The mobile phone signature is therefore a modern, secure and efficient method of signing electronic documents in a legally binding manner.

Why should I sign a document on my mobile phone?

The ability to sign a document on a mobile phone offers numerous advantages and is increasingly becoming a preferred method in the modern business world. Here are the main reasons why it makes sense to sign documents on your mobile phone:

  • Mobility and flexibility: Signing on your mobile phone means that you are not tied to a fixed workplace. You can sign documents from anywhere, whether in the office, at home or on the move. This flexibility is particularly advantageous for busy business people and commuters.
  • Time saving: Signing documents on your mobile phone saves a lot of time. There is no need for time-consuming processes such as printing, signing and scanning documents. Instead, you can add a digital signature with just a few clicks and send the document immediately.
  • Environmentally friendly: Signing on your mobile phone helps to reduce paper consumption. This not only protects the environment, but also reduces printing and paper costs.
  • Security: Modern digital signature processes used on mobile phones offer high security standards. They guarantee the authenticity and integrity of the signed document.
  • Increased efficiency: The ability to sign documents on a mobile phone increases the efficiency of work processes. Documents can be processed and approved more quickly, which is particularly advantageous in dynamic working environments.
  • Easy to use: d.velop sign, which enables signing on a mobile phone, is designed to be user-friendly. They offer intuitive user interfaces and step-by-step instructions so that even less tech-savvy people can easily create digital signatures.
  • Legal recognition: Digital signatures created on mobile phones are legally recognised in many countries and are considered just as binding as handwritten signatures. This makes them a reliable option for legally valid transactions.

Signing documents on a mobile phone is a modern, efficient and secure method that is becoming increasingly established. It enables flexible and time-saving handling of documents without compromising on security or legal validity. In an increasingly digitalised working world, this method offers a valuable addition to traditional signature procedures.

Signing a document on a mobile phone – is it legally secure?

Mobile phone signatures are becoming increasingly popular in the world of work, but many managers are wondering whether this procedure is legally secure. In this chapter, we look at the legal framework and requirements that ensure that digital signatures on mobile phones are legally binding. The use of a special e-signature application is essential in order to sign documents on a mobile phone in a legally secure manner. These software solutions offer functions for authentication, encryption and storage of signatures, which ensure that the integrity and authenticity of the signature are guaranteed. Without such software, people could easily manipulate digital signatures and thus jeopardise their legal validity.

A central point for the legal certainty of digital signatures in the EU is the eIDAS Regulation (electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services). This regulation defines the legal framework for electronic identification and trust services and ensures that electronic signatures are legally recognised within the EU. The eIDAS Regulation defines three signature levels, each of which offers different levels of security and legal certainty:

  • Simple electronic signature: This signature level is the basic form of digital signature and offers a low level of security. No signature certificate is created. It therefore only fulfils the legal text form, but not the written form.
  • Advanced electronic signature: This signature offers a higher level of security as it clearly identifies the signatory and is created in such a way that the signatory has it under control at all times. The advanced electronic signature provides better protection against forgery and can be used in most business applications.
  • Qualified electronic signature: This highest signature level offers the highest level of security and is legally equivalent to a handwritten signature or written form. It requires a qualified certificate issued by a trustworthy provider.

However, a qualified electronic signature is required for particularly critical documents for which the written form is required in accordance with Section 126 of the German Civil Code (BGB). Companies should therefore ensure that they use the appropriate e-signature software that supports the creation of the required signature level. Signing documents on a mobile phone can be legally secure as long as the relevant legal requirements and technical prerequisites are met. By using specialised e-signature software and complying with the eIDAS Regulation, companies can ensure that their digital signatures are legally binding. It is crucial to know and apply the different signature levels in order to fulfil the respective legal requirements and ensure the integrity and authenticity of the signatures.

How to sign a document on your mobile phone

With the right electronic signature app, you can digitally sign documents easily and legally securely. In this step-by-step guide, you will learn how to sign a document on your mobile phone using the e-signature.

  1. Upload the document in the signature application
  2. Start signature circulation with several people
  3. Invite internal and external people to circulate by email
  4. Set security level for signatures (simple, advanced, qualified)
  5. Optional: Pre-populate signature fields, text fields and other fields
  6. Individualise signature circulation: Activate automatic reminder function, define signature sequence, write messages and comments, etc.
  7. Send signature circulation and track current status in real time
  8. Once everyone has signed the document, e.g. on their mobile phone, the system automatically makes it available to everyone.

The mobile phone signature is becoming the standard in the modern business world

The mobile phone signature is increasingly establishing itself as the standard in the modern business world by offering the possibility of signing documents securely and efficiently on a mobile phone. This technology combines mobility with the highest security standards, making everyday work considerably easier. Companies benefit from the time savings and flexibility offered by the mobile phone signature. It also easily fulfils all legal requirements. In view of advancing digitalisation, the mobile phone signature is becoming indispensable for modern business processes. It is an important step towards a paperless and digitalised future.

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