- eIDAS compliant
- Full legal validity in EU
- Available in our E-Signature Plans
- Remote identification and activation
What is an Electronic Time Stamp?
An electronic or digital time stamp is a service offered by a Qualified Trust Service Provider, which allows a legally valid and certain date and time to be associated to a digital document, enabling a temporal validation of the document that can be enforced against third parties.
Why do you need an Electronic Time Stamp
Signatories can use an electronic time stamp to bind a signed document to a particular date and time and prove in the future that the signed document existed at this particular date and time.
The times tamp service has full legal value, the date on the document assumes probative value.
The main advantages of electronic time stamping are:
- extending the validity of the document beyond that of the signature certificate (normally 10 years);
- proof of existence of a document at a given instant.
A digitally signed and time-stamped document has greater legal value than the corresponding paper document with a handwritten signature.
Qualified Electronic Time Stamp (QTS)
A Qualified Electronic Time Stamp is a legally binding, high-assurance service under EU eIDAS regulation that proves electronic data existed at a specific, accurate point in time. It links data to a precise time (UTC) using a trustworthy source, preventing, and detecting any subsequent alterations. Provided only by Qualified Trust Service Providers (QTSP) like TrustPro QTSP, it offers maximum legal validity across all EU Member States.
A qualified electronic time stamp meet the following requirements:
- it binds the date and time to data in such a manner as to reasonably preclude the possibility of the data being changed undetectably;
- it is based on an accurate time source linked to Coordinated Universal Time; and
- it is signed using an advanced electronic signature or sealed with an advanced electronic seal of the Qualified Trust Service Provider, or by some equivalent method.
Common Uses of Electronic Time Stamps
- Document Archiving
Ensure long-term validity, integrity, and regulatory compliance of digital documents. - Invoicing
Support certified digitization and secure electronic invoice storage. - Legal Evidence
Prove the existence, authenticity, and timing of contracts, intellectual property, and financial records.
Choose a Plan
Frequently Asked Questions
To obtain a legally valid electronic time stamp, simply choose a TrustPro QTSP eSignature plan and link it to the time-stamping scheme that best suits your needs.
The time stamp is generated simultaneously with the signatory’s electronic signature: the document is first signed by the signatory and immediately afterwards time-stamped by the QTSP.
Using the qualified time stamp service is simple and intuitive: when signing a document, users only need to select the dedicated option to apply a time stamp to the signature. In TPsign, the time stamp service is clearly identified by a padlock icon with a clock, making it immediately recognisable during the signing process.
Yes, absolutely!
With the TPsign app, adding an electronic time stamp to your signed documents is quick and easy. While signing a document, simply tap the padlock with clock icon to apply a qualified electronic time stamp.
This allows you to immediately enhance your signature with a trusted date and time, directly from your smartphone, ensuring integrity and legal value with just a few taps.
Get a Qualified Electronic Time Stamp now
All our electronic timestamps can be used in conjunction with our e-signature plans.
