Is an electronic signature valid in Norway?
Updated
Short answer
Yes. Electronic signatures are valid in Norway. The eIDAS regulation applies through the EEA Agreement and the Norwegian Electronic Trust Services Act, and an electronic signature cannot be rejected as evidence just because it is electronic. Most agreements under Norwegian law have no form requirements and can be signed electronically. Exceptions include land registration and wills.
Three levels of electronic signature
- Simple electronic signature (SES): e.g. signing via an email link confirmed with an SMS code. Covers most agreements.
- Advanced electronic signature (AES): uniquely linked to the signer, e.g. with Norwegian BankID.
- Qualified electronic signature (QES): the highest level, equivalent to a handwritten signature across the EU/EEA.
When do you need something else?
- Registration of property and mortgages (requires BankID level via the Norwegian Mapping Authority).
- Wills (require written form with witnesses).
- Documents where a law, an authority or the other party requires an advanced or qualified signature.
How SmoothSign documents the signature
Each signer confirms with two factors: the link in their own email and a one-time SMS code. SmoothSign logs time and IP address and produces a PDF with an audit trail, so it is traceable who signed and when.
Frequently asked questions
- Is an e-signature as valid as a handwritten one?
- For agreements without form requirements, yes. Its evidential weight depends on how the signer was identified.
- Do I need BankID for the signature to be valid?
- No, not for most agreements. BankID provides an advanced signature, required for example for land registration.
5 free signatures. Signers need no account.
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