Qualified eSeal for digital signing of certificates and diplomas
Make the transition to digital educational credentials simple and secure. With a qualified eSeal from Commfides, schools and universities can digitally sign certificates and diplomas, valid throughout the EU
COMMFIDES QUALIFIED ESEAL
Ready for signing of certificates and diplomas
Seal digital transcripts, diplomas, and course certificates with a qualified eSeal from Commfides. This allows employers, educational institutions, and other recipients to verify the document’s issuer and confirm that the content has not been altered since it was sealed.
- Issued by Commfides, a qualified trust service provider
- Certificate with verified information about the educational institution or business
- Can be used to seal documents in PDF format.
- Private key protected on a QSCD smart card
- Personalized customer support in Norwegian and English
● AVAILABLE NOW
Qualified eSeal 3 years
Why sign digital certificates and diplomas?
Digital diplomas, degrees and certificates are becoming increasingly common and educational institutions need a secure way to digitally sign these documents. With a qualified electronic seal from Commfides, schools and universities can issue digital education certificates that are just as reliable as traditional paper documents.
A qualified electronic seal (eSeal) serves as your institution’s digital stamp, confirming a document’s origin and ensuring that it has not been altered since it was sealed.
Recognised across all EU member states under the eIDAS Regulation, a qualified eSeal enables schools and universities to seal digital diplomas and certificates that recipients can verify with confidence — whether they are employers in Norway or university partners abroad.
Read more about Europass and how to issue European Digital Credentials for Learning.
What is a qualified seal (QSCD)?
A qualified electronic seal is the digital equivalent of an institution’s official stamp. Unlike a personal electronic signature, which is linked to an individual, an eSeal is linked to the organisation issuing the document.
A qualified eSeal is based on a qualified certificate and created using a qualified seal creation device (QSCD), such as a certified smart card. Together, these ensure that the seal meets strict security requirements.
When an educational institution seals a diploma, recipients can verify that the document originates from that institution and that its content has not been altered since it was sealed.
Once the smart card is received and activated, the educational institution can integrate it into its document signing and production systems (e.g. sign PDF diplomas via Adobe Acrobat or Commfides Signing Port). Commfides offers installation and usage guidance to get you up and running quickly.
Here's how it works
2. Signing of agreement
An authorized signatory at the institution (e.g. principal or administrative manager) signs the booking agreement electronically to confirm the information.
3. Receive the eSeal and PIN
The eSeal is delivered to the registered recipient on a smart card. The PIN code is sent separately digitally afterwards. Once the card and PIN have been received, the eSeal can be used for digital signing.
Do you need help?
Our support is available every weekday from 08:00 – 17:00.
Do you have questions about an order, delivery or anything else?
Don’t hesitate to get in touch – we’re happy to help.
Phone number
+47 21 55 62 60
E-mail address
servicedesk@commfides.com
FAQ
Below you will find the most common questions we receive about the use of qualified eSeal for signing certificates and diplomas.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about signing diplomas with qualified eSeal
Digital diplomas are electronic versions of diplomas issued by educational institutions. As a rule, they are delivered as PDF files with an embedded digital signature/seal from the school.
The digital diploma contains the same information as a traditional paper diploma (subjects, grades, degree, etc.), but is easier to share electronically. For example, students can download the diploma and send it as an attachment in job applications, or share it via services such as Vitnemålsportalen.
The advantage of digital certificates is that they are easily accessible to the candidate and easy to verify for recipients. There is no need for a “straight copy” or stamping of paper documents – the digital file is the original. As long as the digital signature is valid, the document is considered authentic and unchanged.
A qualified eSeal is needed to give digital certificates and diplomas trust and legal validity. Without a qualified seal, it would be difficult for recipients to know if a PDF of a diploma actually comes from a legitimate school or if it may have been tampered with. An eSeal ensures that the document’s origin can be verified and that no one has changed the content after signing.
The eSeal acts as an official stamp: it indicates that the document has been issued by a certified educational institution and meets the requirements of eIDAS. This is especially important when diplomas are to be used internationally – a qualified eSeal allows a digital diploma from Norway to be accepted as genuine in other countries, in the same way that we in Norway trust documents signed with eSeal from other EU countries. In short, the eSeal protects against counterfeiting and ensures that digital educational certificates meet the necessary standards and trust.
Verification of a digitally signed document is normally done automatically when opening the file in a PDF reader. If a diploma is signed with Commfides’ qualified eSeal, for example, Adobe Acrobat Reader will recognize the signature as valid as long as the sender’s certificate is on the EU trust list.
The recipient will typically see an indicator showing that the document has been digitally signed by [Name of institution] and that the signature is valid. This confirms that the document has not been altered and that it is indeed issued by the specified school. Should the digital diploma be altered after signing, the signature validation will fail and the recipient will be warned.
For extra control, you can also use public verification services. In Norway, employers and institutions can access diplomas via Vitnemålsportalen, where students share their results directly. Documents signed with a qualified e-seal can also be uploaded to such portals or other verification tools for checking. However, in most cases it is sufficient to open the PDF in a program that automatically validates the signature – the embedded eSeal ensures that the recipient immediately sees if the document is genuine.
A qualified eSeal is a company’s digital stamp and identity, serving as an electronic signature for organizations.
The seal is issued in accordance with the EU’s eIDAS Regulation and meets strict security requirements. It ensures that documents and information are authentic, have a clear origin, and have not been tampered with. By using a qualified eSeal, the recipient can easily verify that the information comes from a legitimate organization. Only approved providers, known as Qualified Trust Service Providers (QTSPs), such as Commfides, are authorized to issue eSeals.
Ordering: Educational institutions can order qualified e-seals directly from Commfides. This is done by filling out a digital order form (available on Commfides’ website) with the necessary information about the institution. During the ordering process, you specify the contact person and who will be the recipient of the smart card. Once the form has been submitted, Commfides will verify the information. The agreement is then signed by a responsible representative of the institution (e.g. general manager or someone else with signing authority). The signing is done electronically – the entire process takes place digitally.
Delivery and setup
Once your order has been approved, Commfides issues your qualified electronic seal certificate and stores it on a secure smart card. A USB card reader is also provided if needed. The smart card is shipped to your specified delivery address, with delivery normally taking around three business days from order approval.
For security, the card’s PIN code is sent separately, usually by email. Once you have received both the card and the PIN code, you can install the required software and drivers, insert the card into the reader and start sealing documents digitally.
Commfides’ support team is available to help with installation and provide guidance on using your eSeal.
We process the order as soon as we receive the signed order form. Delivery usually takes place within 3 business days.
Only an authorized signatory or an authorized signatory in accordance with the Brønnøysund Register can sign the order for an EU qualified eSeal. The approval process for ordering and issuing the eSeal is regulated in accordance with the eIDAS legislation.
By contacting support, you will get answers to all questions regarding your order.
We are available every weekday between kl. 08.00 – 17.00. 08:00 – 17:00.
Phone: + 47 21 55 62 60
E-mail: servicedesk@commfides.com
