# Is a Smart-ID signature legally valid?

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Yes. A qualified electronic signature made with Smart-ID has the same legal effect as a handwritten one in every EU member state.

Updated 8 November 2026

## The short answer

Yes. Under the EU's eIDAS regulation, a qualified electronic signature has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature in every EU member state.

## What makes it qualified

Two things. The signature uses a qualified certificate, and it is made on a qualified signature creation device. Smart-ID's qualified accounts make signatures of this kind. A signature from a basic account is a different thing.

## When it is not enough on its own

Some documents need a notary or a special form because the law says so. A signature does not replace that. If you are unsure, ask the office or the lawyer who deals with your kind of document.

## How to show it is valid

The signed file carries its own proof: the signer's certificate and a time stamp. Any validator can check it. Use the OkoSign checker, DigiDoc4, eparaksts.lv or the EU's own validator. They read the same file.

## Check your file

[Check a file now](https://app.okosign.com/check)

## More guides

- [How to open an .edoc file](https://okosign.com/en/guides/open-edoc-file)
- [How to open an .asice file](https://okosign.com/en/guides/open-asice-file)
- [How to open an .adoc file](https://okosign.com/en/guides/open-adoc-file)
- [How to sign a document with Smart-ID](https://okosign.com/en/guides/sign-with-smart-id)
- [How to check a signed file](https://okosign.com/en/guides/check-signed-file)
- [What is a qualified electronic signature?](https://okosign.com/en/guides/qualified-electronic-signature)
- [How to send a document for signing](https://okosign.com/en/guides/send-document-for-signing)
- [How to sign with an ID card](https://okosign.com/en/guides/sign-with-id-card)
- [Smart-ID or eParaksts: which to use](https://okosign.com/en/compare/smart-id-or-eparaksts)

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