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Peak Sign · Signature types

Which signature your
contract needs.

Simple, advanced and qualified electronic signatures explained factually. Peak Sign offers the simple electronic signature with evidence today; AES and QES are not available yet.

What do you want to clarify before sending?

2 questions in the plan. First question: Does the law or the contract itself require a specific form for this document?

Build your check questions
For
B2B teams that send contracts
In Peak Sign today
Simple electronic signature with evidence
Not available yet
AES, QES, identity verification

Three levels at a glance

Simple. Advanced. Qualified.

Working example · Form requirement

Does the law or the contract itself require a specific form for this document?

If so, have it checked whether an electronic signature is enough and which level is needed.
Which level a contract needs depends on the contract, not on the tool.
Three signature types · PEAK ATLAS / R03
The starting point

Not every contract needs the highest level.

Many business contracts have no special form requirement. Some contracts or clauses do require a specific form, and then a simple electronic signature is not enough. This page helps you ask the right questions. The answer for your contract comes from your lawyer, not from Peak.

Context → question → next step

From reading to doing

Your questions. For your contract.

Local working template
What do you want to clarify before sending?
Your selection.
Your next step.
Your worksheet

Clarify before sending.

2 questions selected

  1. Does the law or the contract itself require a specific form for this document?

    If so, have it checked whether an electronic signature is enough and which level is needed.

  2. How important is it to prove later who signed?

    The higher the risk of a dispute, the more carefully you should choose and justify the signature type.

Local worksheet · no product action
One question, up close

What sets
the three levels apart.

The EU's eIDAS regulation knows three levels. They differ in how firmly the signature is tied to a person and how it is created.

Editorial working example
01 / Form requirement

Does the law or the contract itself require a specific form for this document?

If so, have it checked whether an electronic signature is enough and which level is needed.

A

Simple (SES)Electronic data attached to the document, such as a typed or drawn name. Available in Peak Sign today, with evidence.

B

Advanced (AES)Uniquely linked to a person, identifies them and makes later changes detectable. Not available in Peak Sign yet.

C

Qualified (QES)An AES with a qualified certificate and signature creation device; under eIDAS equivalent to a handwritten signature. Not available in Peak Sign yet.

The playbook

How to find the right level.

One learning path. Three perspectives.
From knowing to the next step

Document, form,
signature type.

Clarify → Choose → Prove

  1. 01

    Document first. Then the level.

    First ask whether the contract has a required form. Only from that follows which signature type is an option.

    Example

    Mutual NDA without form requirement

    Check the simple signature with evidence.
  2. 02

    Checked, not assumed.

    Note who checked the form question and with what result. That keeps the decision traceable.

    Sharpen an assumption

    Electronic will do.

    Form requirement checked on 14 October, result noted.
  3. 03

    Choose the matching tool.

    If the simple electronic signature is enough, send with Peak Sign and receive the evidence. If the contract needs AES or QES, use another route for it today.

    Check before sending

    Is the simple signature enough?

    Yes → Peak Sign · No → another route.

Your quality check

Is the signature type settled?

Tick what you have checked. Your selection stays in this view only.

00/ 04your checkpoints

0 of 4 points checked

Is the signature type settled?
Sources & context

What this article is based on.

General orientation, not legal advice and no statement on the validity of any specific contract. Peak Sign offers the simple electronic signature with evidence today; advanced and qualified signatures and identity verification are not available yet.

  • Editorial demo

    Editorial example with made-up sample data. Contract understanding with source paragraph, Ask this contract, Change Studio, version comparison, simple electronic signature with evidence, status and deadlines exist in Peak Sign today; everything else is marked as example or planned.

The next step

The simple signature with evidence.

If the simple electronic signature fits your contract, send it with Peak Sign and receive version, hash and record.

Start Peak Sign for free

Frequently asked questions

Which signature does Peak Sign offer?

A simple electronic signature with an audit log. Advanced and qualified signatures and identity checks are not included.

When is a simple signature not enough?

When the law requires written form, for example a fixed term in a German employment contract. If in doubt, ask your legal advisor.

Is this legal advice?

No. The page explains terms and limits; you decide each case with your advisor.

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