LEXINCORP INFORMS ITS CLIENTS ABOUT THE USE OF THE DIGITAL SIGNATURE

Several years have passed since the approval and publication of the Law on Certificates, Digital Signatures and Electronic Documents (Law No. 8454). The following article presents the importance of this virtual mechanism and answers the main questions users have when addressing the issue of digital signatures. What is a digital signature? A digital signature is a technological tool that allows the identity of a person or computer to be associated with an electronic message or document to guarantee its authorship and integrity. It is important to clarify that a digital signature does not imply ensuring the confidentiality of the message; a digitally signed document can be viewed by others; however, there are technical procedures that allow the creation and verification of digital signatures, ensuring the identity of the signer and the legitimacy of the document. Scope This Law applies to all types of transactions and legal acts, public or private, unless otherwise provided by law, or when the nature or specific requirements of the specific act or business make them incompatible. This is in accordance with Article 1 of the same regulatory body. What is the DCFD? The entity responsible for administering and supervising the certification system and where consumers must turn for legal support in the event of an incident is the Digital Signature Certifiers Directorate (DCFD), part of the Ministry of Science and Technology. Functions of the Digital Signature Certifiers Directorate The DCFD must receive, process, and resolve registration applications from certifiers, in addition to keeping a record of certifiers and digital certificates. It will also have the legal authority to suspend or revoke the registration of certifiers and certificates, among other functions described in Article 24 of Law No. 8454. How can I obtain a digital signature? The DCFD has designated registry offices duly authorized to issue SINPE Certifying Authority (CA SINPE – Individual) certificates, along with their respective costs, hours of operation, locations, and phone numbers for scheduling appointments. To obtain a digital signature, the user must: 1. Call the registry office of their choice and make an appointment. 2. Arrive 15 minutes before the appointment with their most recent identification card (if a foreigner is present, they must present their most recent residence card or passport). 3. Make the corresponding payment, which can range between $40 and $60 depending on the certifying entity and whether the user is a client, among other factors. 4. Define the PIN for the card issued using their fingerprint. 5. The bank will deliver the card and the corresponding device for reading it. 6. Download the applications (APP) to receive technical support and configure the computer so it works properly with the digital certificate. What are its benefits? Thanks to this virtual mechanism, Costa Ricans can now manage any authorized government procedure from a computer and have full assurance of the legitimacy of the requested document, since, according to Law No. 8454, the digital signature issued by a registered certifying authority has the legal equivalence of a handwritten signature. Another benefit of this new system is the saving of paper, which reduces the excessive felling of trees and makes the use of digital signatures an environmentally friendly method. For more information on this topic, please contact us at infocr@lexincorp.com, and we will be happy to advise you.