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Electronic identification
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How to identify with the Public Administration electronically
There are 2 ways to relate to the Public Administration electronically:
- Electronic certificate
- Cl@ve arranged
Electronic certificate
If an entity is accredited
means it's authorized
to do a specific activity.
One chip is a system
made up of several
electronic elements
very small, related
among themselves they are inside
of a card or a device
What is it?
Electronic system that allows a person to identify himself
and sign documents electronically.
Entering the electronic office with the electronic certificate has the same validity
to teach the ID in an office of the Administration.
The electronic certificate is also called a digital certificate.
Public Administrations only accept certificates from certification bodies accredited.
What are these certificates?
The most common certificates are:
- Citizen software certificate. It is also called a Digital Citizen Certificate.
You can request it at the National Currency and Stamp Factory.
This is a public entity that has the necessary permissions to provide electronic certificates. - Electronic DNI.
It is a certificate that is installed on a chip inside your ID.
It is created by the General Directorate of Police.
How can I apply for these certificates?
The digital certificate of citizen
The digital certificate of citizen can be requested at the offices of the National Currency and Stamp Factory.
You must apply online and then prove your identity in person.
You can also ask for it:
- electronically if you have an electronic ID
- by video identification.
Access more information and check our page 'How to obtain the electronic certificate'
The certificate of the electronic ID
The electronic ID certificate is inside your ID when you ask for it at your police station.
Then you have to activate it on a machine that is in the same police station.
Concerted key
The concerted key system allows you to relate to the Public Administration with a user account and a password.
That’s why you have to register in order to use it. The registration has to ensure your identity.
The most commonly used concerted key system in the Administration is called Cl@ve.
Identification and electronic signature
Electronic certificate
With the electronic certificate you can identify yourself and sign documents.
The electronic signature is worth the same as the hand-signed one.
You can sign PDF documents and other official documents. For example, a request.
To sign electronically, you need a signature application.
To make procedures that need a signature, you need the AutoSignature application.
Cl@ve
With Cl@ve you can identify yourself but you cannot sign documents.
There is Cl@ve Signature that does let you sign documents. But it can only be used in very few procedures at the moment.
Characteristics of identification systems
Software certificate
Advantages
- You can identify with him to do any procedure of the Administration.
- You can sign documents.
Disadvantages
- You have to install it on a device, such as a computer, tablet or mobile phone.
- If you want to use it on multiple devices you have to install it on each of them.
Electronic ID
Advantages
- You can identify with him to do any procedure of the Administration.
- You don’t have to install it on any device.
- You can sign documents.
Disadvantages
- You need a card reader. It is a device that allows the device you use to read the electronic ID card.
- If you have the 3.0 or higher version of the electronic ID card, you can use your mobile phone as a card reader.
- You may need to install some software to use it.
Cl@ve
Advantages
- You don't need to install it on your device.
- You can use it from any device, computer, mobile or tablet.
Disadvantages
- You can only do some paperwork, it doesn’t work for everyone.
Regular It is defining how a task or function should be done and with which rules.
Rules and Laws
The laws that regulate how to identify yourself electronically are:
- Royal Decree 1553/2005, of 23 December , which regulates the issuance of the national identity document and its electronic signature certificates.
- Articles 9 and 10 and additional provision 8 of Law 39/2015 .
- European Regulation No 910/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market.
- European Implementing Decision 2015/1505 , 2015/1506 and 2016/650 , of the Commission.