itsme® eSign and OK!Sign: the easiest path to a qualified electronic signature

itsme® has become the reference for digital identity and qualified electronic signatures in Belgium and neighboring countries. The itsme® app is used by nearly 7 million people and provides a user-friendly, secure way to identify yourself online, log in, and sign legally binding documents using a qualified electronic signature in accordance with eIDAS.

OK!Sign is fully integrated with itsme® eSign. When you choose to sign with itsme® via OK!Sign, a qualified electronic signature (QES) is automatically generated, backed by an X.509 certificate and a detailed audit trail. This combines the ease of use of OK!Sign with the legal strength of itsme® eSign.

How does signing with itsme® eSign via OK!Sign work in practice?

The process is simple for both the sender and the signer. OK!Sign provides an end-to-end digital signing flow, while itsme® eSign ensures the qualified electronic signature that meets all eIDAS requirements.

1. Prepare your document in OK!Sign

You upload your document to OK!Sign, define the signers, and place the signature fields in the correct locations. This can be done via the user-friendly editor or fully automated through API integration with your own systems. This allows you to seamlessly integrate qualified electronic signatures into your existing processes.

2. Choose itsme® as the signing option

When configuring the signers, you select itsme® eSign as the signing method. OK!Sign then automatically activates the correct workflow for qualified electronic signatures, including the connection to the signer’s itsme® app.

3. Send the signing invitation

OK!Sign sends the signing invitation by email (or via your own integration) to all involved parties. Each signer receives a clear link to the document and instructions on how to sign using itsme®. You can configure multiple signers and signing orders within a single flow.

4. The signer uses the itsme® app

The signer opens the document, reviews its content, and then chooses to sign with itsme®. Using the trusted itsme® app, the signature is confirmed. In the background, a qualified electronic signature is generated, including a qualified certificate and timestamp.

5. Automatic registration and certificate of completion

After signing, OK!Sign generates a certificate of completion containing all relevant transaction details: who signed, when, and how, including a reference to the itsme® certificate. This certificate can serve as legal evidence in case of disputes and supports the legal validity of your document.

Why companies choose OK!Sign + itsme® eSign

By combining OK!Sign with itsme® eSign, you get the most out of digital signing: speed, convenience, and maximum legal certainty. This makes a significant difference in professionalism and efficiency, especially in sectors such as finance, HR, real estate, and legal services.

1. Highest level of reliability under eIDAS

An itsme® signature via OK!Sign is a qualified electronic signature (QES) with the highest level of reliability under eIDAS. This means the signature is legally equivalent to a handwritten signature and is recognized in all EU Member States for transactions where QES is required or recommended.

2. Fully digital workflow, no more paper

No more printing, scanning, faxing, or manual retyping. With OK!Sign, you manage your entire signing process digitally and centrally, with clear status overviews, reminders, and archiving. You increase productivity and significantly reduce contract turnaround times.

3. User-friendly for signers

Because itsme® is already widely used for banking, government services, and other digital applications, signing with itsme® via OK!Sign feels familiar and secure. Signers do not need any additional hardware or complex software installations.

4. Strong legal foundation and audit trail

Every signature is supported by a detailed audit trail and a certificate of completion. This records who did what and when during the signing process, including identification via itsme® and the associated qualified certificates. This strengthens your evidentiary position in the event of legal disputes.

5. Seamless integration into your existing systems

Through the OK!Sign API, you can integrate qualified electronic signatures directly into your own applications: CRM, ERP, DMS, HR platforms, or customer portals. This enables full end-to-end automation: from document generation to signing and archiving, without manual intermediate steps.

What is a qualified electronic signature under eIDAS?

The eIDAS Regulation defines several levels of electronic signatures: simple electronic signatures, advanced electronic signatures, and qualified electronic signatures (QES). A QES represents the highest level: it is created using a qualified certificate issued by a qualified trust service provider listed on the official EU Trusted List.

This qualified certificate proves the identity of the signer and legally links that identity to the electronic signature. A qualified electronic signature issued in one EU Member State is automatically recognized in all other Member States. This is why QES is particularly valuable for cross-border transactions involving Belgian and other European parties.

When do you need a qualified electronic signature in Belgium and the Netherlands?

In Belgium and the Netherlands, simple electronic signatures are sufficient for many everyday documents, but certain transactions require a higher level of reliability — and in some cases are even mandatory. In such situations, it is best to choose a qualified electronic signature with itsme® eSign via OK!Sign.

Examples in Belgium

In Belgium, qualified electronic signatures are required or strongly recommended for, among others: employment contracts, certain corporate law documents such as the transfer of registered shares, consumer credit agreements, tax filings, and certain applications to public authorities. A QES helps prevent disputes about the identity of the signer and the evidential value of the document.

Examples in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, a qualified electronic signature is recommended for more complex transactions, such as major commercial contracts, legal documents with high financial risk, or cases where maximum certainty about the signer’s identity is required. QES provides a level of reliability equivalent to a handwritten signature in court.

Frequently asked questions about itsme® eSign and qualified electronic signatures with OK!Sign

Is a qualified electronic signature always mandatory?

No. For many everyday documents, a simple or advanced electronic signature is sufficient. However, for important contracts, complex transactions, or legal obligations (such as certain employment contracts, credit agreements, or tax documents), a QES via itsme® eSign and OK!Sign is the safest and often recommended choice.

Do my signers need anything special?

Signers only need their smartphone with the itsme® app and a valid itsme® profile. They complete the signing process entirely on mobile, in an interface they already know from banking and government applications.

Is an itsme® signature via OK!Sign legally binding?

Yes. An itsme® signature via OK!Sign is a qualified electronic signature within the meaning of the eIDAS Regulation and has the same legal value as a handwritten signature, within the scope of QES across the European Union.

Ready to get your first itsme® signature with OK!Sign?

Do you want to have employment contracts, credit agreements, corporate documents, or other sensitive files signed faster and with stronger legal certainty? With OK!Sign and itsme® eSign, you can switch in just a few steps to qualified electronic signatures that fully comply with eIDAS, without burdening your signers with complex technology.

Contact our team today for advice on the optimal use of itsme® eSign within your organization, or try the OK!Sign environment yourself with a trial account. You will immediately discover how easy it is to collect secure, digital, and legally binding signatures.