Mr. Aivars Paegle, Legal manager at The Register of Enterprises of the Republic of Latvia, Juridical Division Workshop on Single Institution for Registration of Commercial and Non-Commercial Organizations INT MARKT IND/STUD organised in co-operation with the State Registration Service of Ukraine

Electronic Documents Law determines the legal status of electronic documents and electronic signatures. You can read this Law on site As I mentioned earlier all laws on this site are in Latvian but under them there is link to English version: In accordance with Electronic Document Law electronic document is - any data which is created, stored, sent or received electronically, which ensures the possibility of utilising such data for the performance of some activity, realisation of a right and protection.

Electronic signature is used in communication with companies, private persons, state and local institutions. Documents signed by secure electronic signature shall have the same legal effect as the documents created and signed in paper format. Electronic Documents Law states that electronic signature is – electronic data that is attached to or logically associated with an electronic document, and ensures the authenticity of the electronic document and confirms the identity of the signatory. We accept secure electronic signature only.

Secure electronic signature has strict security requirements and it shall conform to all of the following requirements: a) it is linked only to the signatory, b) it ensures the personal identification of the signatory, c) it is created with secure electronic signature-creation devices, which may be controlled only by the signatory, d) it is linked to a signed electronic document so that later changes in the electronic document are detectable, and e) it is certified by a qualified certificate

Electronic signature Electronic document

Electronic document seen by the recipient

Secure virtual signature you can use as private person and as legal entity, if you are a person authorized to sign or trusted person for signing the document. In communication with state and local institutions time stamp shall be used. Time stamp electronically fixes and confirms time when document has been signed. Electronic Documents Law states that time-stamp is – an electronically signed confirmation of the fact that at a specified date and time the electronic document has been signed at the certification service provider.

We have two types of electronic signatures: Electronic Signature on eID; Virtual electronic Signature. The issuance of electronic signatures is provided by SJSC Latvia State Radio and Television Centre ( You can also buy your electronic signature in libraries and some banks which have contract with state on issuing of electronic signatures.

In order to use electronic signature on eID you shall have eID card and eID reader. eID card or electronic identification card is a person identification document, which can prove your identity and legal status as in person, as on a distance – in the internet, as also you can sign the documents with safe electronic signature. With eID card you can prove your identity in person and on a distance – on territory of Latvia identification card can fully replace passport. Latvian citizen eID card is used as a traveling document on EU, European Economic Zone and Switzerland Confederation territories. eID reader you can buy in computer equipment stores.

While there was funding of electronic signature on eID, now there is new option – virtual signature that shall not have card and card reader. Customer receives codes for signing documents. To use the secure virtual electronic signature, only a computer (smartphone or tablet PC) and internet connection are required. When using the virtual electronic signature, the Time stamp is always added to the document.

Document can be signed in two formats – eDoc and PDF. PDF document is preferred in situation when customer uses standard software (Adobe Reader and the like) for reading and verification of the electronic signature. eDoc format is preferred in situation when customer needs to sign a package of several documents or files of a different format, for example, pictures. More information you can get on site: