Signeringen

Signeringen is the act of applying a signature to a document or item to indicate approval, authorization, authorship, or acknowledgment. In everyday use it covers both handwritten signatures on paper and electronic processes that attach a verifiable signature to digital data. The term may also appear in contexts such as autographs, where a signerer signs memorabilia for a fan.

Manual signering involves a person placing a pen or marker on a document to create a handwritten signature. Requirements for validity typically include the signer's intent to sign, capacity to sign, and the connection between the signature and the document. Challenges include the risk of forgery, ambiguous handwriting, and the need to preserve authenticity through secure storage and tamper‑evident handling.

Electronic signering uses digital methods to validate identity and ensure data integrity. Common concepts include simple electronic signatures, advanced electronic signatures (AES), and qualified electronic signatures (QES). AES relies on methods that uniquely link the signers to the data and provide integrity, while QES requires a qualified certificate and a secure signature creation device. In many jurisdictions, QES has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature, and AES can carry strong presumptions of authenticity. Digital signatures are typically based on public key infrastructure (PKI) and may be supplemented by time stamps and audit trails.

Legal status and adoption vary by jurisdiction, but many regions recognize electronic signering as legally binding for contracts, authorizations, and official filings when proper controls are in place. Practical use involves standardized workflows, identity verification, document integrity checks, and compliant recordkeeping to support enforceability and traceability of signed data.