Electronic seals confirm that a document has been provided by a legal entity, in this case KVK, just like electronic signatures. The seal guarantees that the origin and integrity of the document are secure.
Documents with the electronic seal are suitable for official use. The qualified seal is valid indefinitely.
When you open the pdf document using Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can check the signature seal at the top of the screen, as well as on the left-hand side. You will see the name ‘Kamer van Koophandel’ plus the date and time of signature.
How do I know a document is certified?
The following symbols are used to specify the validity of the digital signature.
| Icon | Explanation |
|---|---|
 | Correct! Valid and certified. Authenticity and integrity have been checked |
 | Error! Check on authenticity failed. The certificate has expired. View the certificate’s details. |
 | Error! Check on integrity failed. The document was altered after it was signed. Contact the sender of the document. |
 | If you see this symbol, but instead you want to view the validity of the signature, you must edit your Adobe Acrobat Reader settings:
|
* These symbols may vary per version of pdf and Adobe Acrobat Reader.
More on the use of digital signatures
For how long is the digital signature valid?
The validity of the digital signature does not expire. This indefinite validity (Long Term Validation or LTV) has been permanently visible in the digital certified extract since 10 November 2017.
What does Long Term Validation (LTV) in the digitally certified KVK extract mean?
Digitally signed documents must be suitable for use for many years, even many decades. Regardless of technology, the document must remain verifiable in future to confirm that the signature was valid at the time the digitally certified extract (‘digitaal gewaarmerkte uittreksel’, DGU) was signed. KVK uses the PAdES 4 Long Term Validation (LTV) signature on the DGU, which the Adobe Acrobat Reader recognises and displays as a signature that is valid for an indefinite period of time.
How reliable is the digital signature?
KVK uses a ‘PKI Overheid’ certificate to certify digital documents with a digital signature. PKI Overheid certificates are issued by the State of the Netherlands. The certificate contains the details of the signature. You can view these details by clicking on the certificate details.
Example of the certificate details
KVK follows set procedures and conditions to guarantee the reliability of the digital signature. This is audited annually.