semnarea

Semnarea is the act of signing a document to indicate agreement, authentication, or authorization. In Romanian usage, semnarea can refer to the process of signing (the act itself) as well as to the resulting signature in some contexts. The term is used across legal, administrative, and commercial settings, and it encompasses both traditional handwritten signatures and electronic forms.

Handwritten signatures, or semnături olografe, are the conventional means of confirming assent on paper. In recent decades, electronic signatures have become common, with three main categories recognized in many jurisdictions: semnătură electronică simplă, semnătură electronică avansată și semnătură electronică calificată. The latter two provide increasingly stronger assurance about the signer's identity and the integrity of the signed document. A semnătură electronică calificată uses a qualified certificate and a secure signature creation device (QSCD) and has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature under applicable law.

Legal framework and recognition: electronic signatures are regulated at national and EU levels. In Romania, this area is governed by national legislation aligned with the EU eIDAS Regulation (Regulation 910/2014). Under eIDAS, a semnătură electronică calificată has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature across member states. Advanced electronic signatures offer high assurance but may have varying evidentiary weight depending on the jurisdiction and the signing process.

Practical aspects: electronic signatures rely on public-key cryptography, certificates, and certificate authorities. Verification involves checking the signature’s validity, certificate status, time stamps, and revocation information. Adoption of semnarea digitală enhances speed, non-repudiation, and traceability in administrative and commercial workflows, while requiring access to digital credentials and secure handling of private keys.