Digital signature

What are the keys and certificates commonly known as digital signatures?

A digital signature is a personal mark placed in an electronic document by means of a technological process. It allows the message recipient to confirm the identity of the signatory and the confidentiality of the document. The technology developed by Entrust is very user-friendly, facilitating the use of keys and certificates. A digital signature vests an electronic document with three features: integrity, authentication and non-repudiation of data. Validation of the digital signature by the message recipient confirms that the received document and the sent document are identical (data integrity) and verifies the sender's identity (authentication). It also prevents the sender from denying knowledge of the document (non-repudiation).

The term "digital signature" is usually used to designate the private signature key that is accessible only to the holder. In addition, the expression "keys and certificates" is used to refer to all keys, public and private.

What are signature keys and certificates?

Keys and certificates comprise two pairs of keys, one of which is used to ensure the confidentiality of electronically transmitted documents, and the other to sign an electronic document and confirm its integrity. Each key pair is composed of a public key, available in a publicly accessible directory, and a private key, available only to the holder.

For more technical information about keys and certificates, consult "How a digital signature works" in the "Québec Certification Centre" section of our site.

How does a digital signature work?

Digital signatures are associated with a public key infrastructure and function with an internationally recognized technological process called symmetric and asymmetric cryptography. With Entrust Entelligence (a cryptography software application), holders can generate keys, certificates and confidential passwords. This password is linked to the private signature key commonly known as a digital signature.

For what purpose do notaries use digital signatures?

  • The notary's official electronic signature
    The legal basis of the digital signature is section 2827 of the Civil Code of Québec (1991, c. 64, s. 2827; 2001, c. 32, s. 77) that stipulates: "The signature is the affixing by a person, to a writing, of his name or the distinctive mark which he regularly uses to signify his intention." Section 22 of the Notaries Act, in force since January 2002, stipulates the notary's signature "may be affixed by any means suitable to the medium". The secretary of the Order assigns notaries who so request with a code or distinctive mark that also constitutes the notary's official signature." The Act to establish a legal framework for information technology (R.S.Q. 2001, c. 32), in force since November 2001, affirms the legal character of a virtual transaction.

  • Confidentiality and security
    A digital signature guarantees users the confidentiality, integrity and security of their electronic documents. It ensures the security of e-mail communications with colleagues and protects the confidentiality of digitized documents in all formats, notably on working stations, servers and diskettes.
     
  • Web-based land registry information system (Système informatique du Registre foncier [SIRF])
    The digital signature is a prerequisite for processing electronic registration requests. To positively identify applicants and ensure the confidentiality of exchanged documents, the computerized land registry system uses the most secure and widely used technology: public key infrastructure (PKI). The Ministère des Ressources naturelles selected the Québec Certification Centre's public key infrastructure to issue the public key certificates required for handling electronic land registration requests. October 2001 marked the beginning of interactive communications between the Québec Land Registry and its users. The process of setting up the computer system and digitalizing documents is scheduled to be completed by December 2003. Check with Québec's land registry offices for conversion completion dates.
     
  • Mortgage loans with financial institutions
    The real estate application developed by BCE Emergis integrates the functionality of digital signatures to enable notaries to send preliminary and final reports to participating financial institutions. The digital signature is the perfect tool for increasing the security and confidentiality of real estate transactions while preserving notaries' role of public officer and legal advisor.
     
  • Registers of wills and mandates
    Electronic filing
    Computerization of registers of wills and mandates enables notaries possessing digital signatures to file will and mandate documents electronically with the Chambre des notaires du Québec. Transmission is accomplished through a third party, either a case management program integrating EDI translation modules (Pro-Notaire, EDI-Pro, Pro-Cardex, Para-MaÎtre) or the Web-based InscriptiO program. Documents are signed electronically with the notary's digital signature.

    Electronic searches
    The Recherche électronique Registres search engine, which is linked to the Inforoute notariale's home page, enables notaries to make electronic requests for will and mandate searches of the Order's registers and consult search results. To obtain access to this service notaries must possess a digital signature and transmit their reports electronically using the EDI 4012 standard.
     
  • Identity Verification Officer
    Many registers and government agencies require that the identity of key and certificate holders (digital signatures) be authenticated by a trusted individual. Many orgranizations turn to notaries to verify and authenticate their clients' identity because Québec notaries are vested with the status of public officer. Notaries certified as identity verification officers can be found in every region of Québec.

    Identity checks by an identity verification officer are required for everyone wishing to conduct electronic transactions with the Registre des droits personnels et réels mobiliers (Register of personal and real rights), the Québec Land Registry, the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) and the Registre des lobbyistes.

What is the purpose of a digital signature distributed to clients of the Land Registry (Registre foncier)?

Keys and certificates issued by the Québec Certification Centre (QCC) to clients of the Land Registry (other than notaries and land surveyors) are used solely for conducting distance transactions with the Land Registry.

System Requirements:

  • Computer with Windows XP S2, Windows Vista or Windows 7
  • Internet connection

Network Configuration:

The firewall must authorize the following ports/addresses :

  • X500.notarius.net port 389
  • X500b.notarius.net port 389
  • Entrust.notarius.net port 709 et 829

Client services

Notarius' client services will assist you in answering any questions about the use of your digital signature.