Digital Signatures

Digital signature is the most convenient, safest and most secure forms for collecting signatures as they provide legally binding authentication of the concerned parties. Qatar recently adopted digital signatures as a form of collecting signatures to replace manual signatures. Adopting digital signature in place of paper-based signatures has the following benefits:

• Reduces paper waste
• Accelerates document delivery time by eliminating the long waits that hard copy documents needed
• Decreases operating costs for investors
• Safe, secure and convenient
• Accessibility from anywhere around the world
• Supports the ease of doing business

The National Authentication Service (NAS), which is Qatar’s national identity provider for all the government online services has implemented one of the most sophisticated and advanced digital signing and authentication systems. The digital signing feature allows for online signing of transactions by various parties. Qatar’s Single Window utilizes the digital signing services from NAS whenever digital signatures are needed from investors. Digital signatures enable investors to easily access and sign online documents from the comfort of their homes or offices from anywhere in the world. 

Prerequisites to use digital signature

Digital signature is vital at various levels during the comprehensive establishment, comprehensive update, selling a company, company merger, etc. where investors are required to sign documents or contracts online. To avail of this service, investors need to first register with the National Authentication Service (NAS) using their smart identity cards. They can enter their account numbers and use their smart identity cards to browse and sign online.

Investors need:

• Smart Qatar identity card: This is compulsory as smart QIDs are linked to the NAS system, which provides access to the digital signing service, if needed. In case of non-smart QID holders that need to sign documents digitally, a visit to the nearest Single Window premises is required. The nearest Qatari embassy building serves those operating from outside Qatar.
• Single Window Account: Investors need to create an account with a username and password with Single Window in order to avail of the digital signature facility.

 

Related Articles

Issue Advertising License

Labor Recruitment Approval

Requirements for issuing different business activities licenses