e-invoice PDF signature and time stamp (EEI)

Strong evidence for data authentication

	PDF signature and time stamp tools

	If you already have the tools to sign a PDF file, for example if you own Acrobat Professional, then you can use our time stamp service, instructions are here: PDF time stamp service.

	Or, if you want a simpler method that does not use PDF files then here. (Most of our retail customers use this method).

	Always feel free to write to us if you need help deciding how to best use e-TimeStamp service, click here.

	If you need a tool to create a signature for a PDF file, then the toolkit described below can help. This toolkit was intended for use by software developers. This is a recent tool and we appreciate any feedback that you have.

Customers asked for a way to sign and time stamp a PDF file

We have several new customers from the European Union who are using time stamps in their e-Invoicing process. We helped these customers by creating a toolkit to sign and time stamp PDF files.

The PDF signing toolkit is free – it is written in Java and uses open source tools. The PDF signature toolkit is intended for use by software developer to integrate with your existing invoicing system. We are working on a Desktop version.


	Get started PDF signing
	The technology is no longer expensive and it has become easier to use. You supply a PDF file and your signing keys; then the Java toolkit creates a signed and time stamped copy of the PDF file. PDF Signing tool: JavaDoc for API's and Toolkit Documentation . There is no charge to use our test servers for your evaluation. Account Set-Up. The production time stamp prices are here. Please let us know how we can help. Use the feedback page or send an email to support@digistamp.com

	References that may be helpful in your research
	In the U.S. and many European countries such as Germany, the U.K. and Italy, digital signatures have the same value as a handwritten signature. The digital signature is the most widely recognized method that authenticates the source of invoices and protects the documents' integrity. What does an e-invoice as a PDF that is signed and time stamped look like? Here is an example. Open the invoice in Acrobat Reader. The signing certificates will initially show as un-trusted until you accept the signer using this method. More detail on certificate acceptance here. Reference: European Electronic Invoicing (EEI) Final Report is incorporated in the VAT Directive 2006/112/EC . Reference: The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) published E-invoices and digital signatures in CEN Workshop Agreement (CWA) 15579, July 2006. The CEN workshop on eInvoicing web site has several helpful documents and next meeting notices here.