The regulation and oversight of the Digital Signature in Egypt fall under the authority of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), as outlined in Law No. 15 of 2004. This law regulates digital signature and electronic transactions, aiming to facilitate digital transformation by providing the latest IT tools and applications necessary for the use of digital signatures and electronic transactions.
Through the digital signature ecosystem, a natural or legal person can obtain any of the following services:
the “digital signature” is what is placed on an electronic document/data and takes the form of letters, numbers, symbols, signs, or others. It has a unique characteristics that allows the person of the signatory to be identified and distinguishes him/her from others.
an “electronic seal” is an electronic signature that allows the legal person to identify the creator of the seal and distinguish him/her from others.
Digital signature/electronic seal services are obtained from one of the Service Providers licensed by ITIDA. Please check the list of the Licensed Service Providers
HERE
- A copy of a valid national ID card, or a valid passport of the applicant, with the original submitted for review.
b. Documents required from companies to obtain the electronic seal tool
- A copy of a recent commercial register, no more than three (3) months old since its issuance, and the articles of incorporation or declaration may be an alternative, with the original submitted for review.
- A valid tax card, and the taxpayer’s basic data card approved by the Egyptian Tax Authority (ETA) can be considered an alternative, with the original provided for review.
- The investment gazette - the company’s gazette or contract can be an alternative, with the original provided for review.
- A copy of a valid national ID card, or a valid passport of the legal representative, with the original presented for review. There is no alternative to this document.
- The company's legal representative must present the originals of all documents and papers for review.
C. Documents required from the individual establishment to obtain the electronic seal tool
- A copy of a recent commercial registry, no more than three (3) months old since its issuance, and the articles of incorporation or declaration may be an alternative, with the original submitted for review.
- A valid tax card, and the taxpayer’s basic data card approved by the Egyptian Tax Authority (ETA) can be considered an alternative, with the original provided for review.
- A copy of a valid national ID card, or a valid passport of the legal representative, with the original presented for review. There is no alternative to this document.
Download the branches and agents file
- The only entity responsible for issuing digital signature/electronic seal certificates to government establishments and agencies is
the Government Digital Certification Authority at the Ministry of Finance (GOV-CA) ، which is the authority responsible for issuing the digital signature certificate to government employees and its administrative agencies.
- Immediately upon completion of all necessary procedures to obtain the service. The applicant does not need another visit to receive the application.
- Ease of use: digital signature processes can be performed quickly and easily, electronically with no personal presence.
- Saving time and effort: saving the time and effort required to complete transactions and sign documents, as they can be sent and signed electronically quickly.
-
Financial savings: it reduces the costs associated with printing and paper distribution of documents, which saves money and preserves the environment.
- Security and reliability: it provides high levels of security and reliability, as identity and signature are authenticated by digital certificates and advanced encryption technologies.
-
Legality and legitimacy:Egyptian law grants the electronic signature as legally valid as the manual signature when it meets the conditions stipulated in this law. Many countries also recognize the digital signature as legal and legitimate, which facilitates its recognition and acceptance in official and legal transactions.
- The customer must keep the pin code or password and not give it to any other person under any circumstances.
- If the digital signature or electronic seal tool is lost, please immediately contact the company where the certificate was issued to stop the certificate.
- When signing the contract for the service, the customer must read the terms of the contract carefully. He should inquire about any incomprehensible clause.
- The certificate service provider is committed not to disclose any information about user data that was provided to it or obtained during the implementation of the license.
- The certificate service provider is also committed to ensuring the confidentiality of the information obtained or received during the provision of the digital signature/electronic seal service to users of its services and setting the necessary rules to ensure this..
- If you encounter any problems related to use, please immediately contact the company where the issuance process took place.
- If the customer experiences any problem with any digital signature company, please contact the following email:
Info.dsss@itida.gov.eg or call the hotline of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (16248).
- Finally, users must be aware of the legal requirements and procedures necessary to use the digital signature/electronic seal service correctly and effectively.
Q1: Is it possible to get a digital signature under a general official power of attorney, a special power of attorney for government transactions, or an authorization?
The “digital signature” may not be generated except by the person requesting the service, as the entities licensed to provide digital signature services must verify the person to whom the signature is issued and his distinguishing properties.
Q2: Is it possible to issue an electronic seal for a sole proprietorship (individual firm) that does not have a commercial registry, establishment decision, or declaration, but has a tax card?
The point of obtaining an “electronic seal” is the existence of a legal personality. If this legal personality does not exist, there is no place to obtain an electronic seal. Accordingly, it is not permissible, under the law, to issue an “electronic seal” for a sole proprietorship that does not have a commercial registry, establishment decision, or declaration, but has a tax card.
Q3: In the case of issuing a digital signature for foreigners residing in Egypt, must the passport and residence permit be valid, or is it sufficient for one of them to be valid?
- Passport and residency must be valid.
