How to Obtain an Electronic Digital Signature Online in Kazakhstan: Simple and Reliable

What is an EDS and What is it Used For?

The Electronic Digital Signature (EDS) is a component of an electronic document that confirms its authenticity and protects it from forgery. The EDS allows a person to agree to or sign a document online. According to the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Electronic Documents and Electronic Digital Signatures", the EDS is equivalent to a handwritten signature of the signing person and has the same legal consequences. Just like with a handwritten signature, the EDS mechanism ensures that once a document has been signed by the person who owns the EDS key, it cannot be altered in any way.

The EDS is required when obtaining electronic government services. For example, it can be used to obtain various government certificates and documents, submit requests to government agencies online, receive information about medical insurance, and more. The EDS is also used for receiving/sending electronic documents and signing contracts online in electronic document management services such as Documentolog.

How to Obtain an EDS Online in Kazakhstan?

Both individuals and legal entities can obtain an EDS in Kazakhstan in two ways: online and offline. To be able to obtain EDS keys remotely, without visiting the Public Service Center (PSC), you need:

• A national ID card/passport of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
• A mobile phone capable of receiving incoming SMS messages.
• A personal computer with a webcam.
• Installed NCALayer software for downloading and using the EDS.

The document package for individuals and legal entities differs. You can find out the necessary documentation on the website of the National Certification Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NCC RK).

How to Obtain an EDS Online? Step-by-Step Instructions

To obtain an EDS online, follow these steps:

1. Visit the website https://egov.kz/cms/en
2. Select “Obtain EDS Remotely” from the list of services.
3. Click “Order Service Online”.
4. Select whether you are obtaining the EDS for an individual or a legal entity. If you choose a legal entity, you need to specify the category of the employee for whom the EDS is being issued.
5. Enter the required information and click “Submit Request”.
6. If you are registered in the Mobile Citizens Database (MCD), you will need to confirm your identity through video verification. If you are not registered in the MCD, the portal will prompt you to register. In this case, you need to click on the “Virtual Assistant” button and contact an operator who will register you in the MCD.
7. Complete video identification through digital ID.
8. Allow the NCC RK to verify your phone number and ID, and sign the agreement for the collection and processing of personal data.
9. Enter your email address, and select a storage location for the EDS key and its path on your computer.
10. Submit your application for obtaining the EDS.
11. Wait for the application status to update (the update takes no more than 5-10 minutes).
12. Download the certificate.
13. After downloading the EDS certificate, you can use it to sign documents electronically.

In 2024, the format of the EDS in Kazakhstan changed. According to the changes, individuals and legal entities will be issued a single EDS key based on the ST RK GOST R 34.10-2015 (GOST 2015) algorithm, which will be used for both authentication and signing.

Validity Period of the EDS

The validity period of the EDS is 1 year from the date of its issuance (file certificate). A few days before the expiration, you will receive a notification about the need for renewal. If your signature has not yet expired, you can renew it on the NCC RK website. If the validity period has expired, you will need to obtain the EDS again. Other types of EDS (KAZTOKEN, E-Token) can be valid for up to 3 years. More details on the website.

Using EDS in Documentolog Services

In Documentolog, you can sign a document online using the EDS. Here’s how it works:

Registration and Document Upload: register in the Documentolog service and create/upload the document you need to sign.

Selecting EDS and Signing the Document: to sign the document, you will be prompted to select your EDS. Documentolog supports various types of EDS (NCC RK, QR eGov Mobile, international electronic signature Adobe Sign), making the signing process flexible and convenient.

Sending and Storing the Document: After signing the document with the EDS, you can send it to other participants in the process. The signed version of the document will be stored in your personal account.

Documents signed with the EDS in Documentolog have legal force and can be used in court and other legally significant processes. Documentolog ensures a high level of data protection and confidentiality, as well as compliance with the legislation of Kazakhstan regarding the use of EDS.

Conclusion

Thanks to the use of EDS in Kazakhstan in services such as Documentolog, you can sign contracts and other documents quickly, conveniently, and securely. The need for physical presence is minimized due to remote identification, making the EDS convenient for everyone who values efficiency and reliability in business processes.