---
updatedAt: 2026-10-06T07:43:03.000Z
agentTools:
  projectIndex: https://developers.youtrust.com/llms.txt
---

# Signature level

On this page you will learn anything you need to know about the different signature level and how to use them.

Youtrust offers several signature levels in compliance with the eIDAS requirements and the law in European countries, for all your documents.

Each signature level offers additional security and legal weight to ensure optimal risk management.

# Signature levels available

![](https://files.readme.io/de6b5ee0a0adbf12a7c3e4383334ebfece4cafee13801116b93984255f1f3785-image.png)

## Simple eSignature: online signatures for your daily work

With the Simple eSignature, you can send, sign and track your documents in just a few clicks through legally compliant, secure and intuitive solutions. It's available on any device.

<Image src="https://files.readme.io/b204738eba367de6cbae4ac0072d4ebd3584944622893a573642d34ae9d67af5-image.png" align="center" width="50%" />

### Authentication

You can enhance the security of your Simple Signature Request by adding a [One Time Password](https://developers.youtrust.com/docs/choose-the-signature-request-authentication-mode) (OTP) verification.

## Advanced eSignature: secure signatures for your sensitive documents

Advanced eSignature (AES) provides reinforced security and legal value to your signatures with additional verification of signers' identity, managed instantly in our application.

### Authentication

With the Advanced eSignature, the **Signer's Identity Document is verified** and a **[One Time Password](https://developers.youtrust.com/docs/choose-the-signature-request-authentication-mode) (OTP) verification is mandatory**.

<Image src="https://files.readme.io/14ea5ad27e8ed71a7a267152dfa03047b69b5a3617f290fac35886a379f75fb1-image.png" align="center" width="50% " />

You can for example use the AES for sales agreements, employment contracts, exclusivity agreements or insurance contracts.

### Activation

By default **Advanced eSignature** is disabled. Please [contact](https://yousign.app/auth/help) our team to activate this level of signature or for any other questions regarding usage or pricing.  You can find more information about this signature levels [here](https://yousign.com/advanced-electronic-signature).

## Qualified eSignature: the legal equivalent of a handwritten signature

With the Qualified eSignature (QES) you can sign your documents with the highest level standard of eSignature, legally equivalent to a handwritten signature providing maximum security.

### Authentication

With QES, the **Signer's Identity Document is verified**, **a video recording the Signer's face and ID is required and then verified by a human**. A **[One Time Password](https://developers.youtrust.com/docs/choose-the-signature-request-authentication-mode) (OTP) verification is necessary.**

<Image src="https://files.readme.io/ed2368d99138f7bd3b7bd6c47c0a3a3440141a7351e22e7fddee81e5038990bc-image.png" align="center" width="50% " />

### Activation

By default **Qualified eSignature** is disabled. Please [contact](https://yousign.app/auth/help) our team to activate this level of signature or for any other questions regarding usage or pricing. You can find more information about this signature levels [here](https://yousign.com/advanced-electronic-signature).

# Signature levels characteristics overview

<Table align={["left","left","left","left"]}>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>

      </th>

      <th>
        Simple Electronic Signature (SES)
      </th>

      <th>
        Advanced Electronic Signature (AES)
      </th>

      <th>
        Qualified Electronic Signature (QES)
      </th>
    </tr>
  </thead>

  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>
        **Rules**
      </td>

      <td>
        - Signers can be ordered or not.

        - Signers in a Signature Request can have different signature levels.

        - Available in Sandbox.
      </td>

      <td>
        - Signers can be ordered or not.

        - There is an identity document authentication.

        - Signers in a Signature Request can have different signature levels.

        - Available in Sandbox once activated [by our support](https://yousign.app/auth/help). Consult our [Advanced eSignature guide](https://developers.youtrust.com/docs/advanced-esignature-new) for more info.
      </td>

      <td>
        - Signers should be ordered.

        - Authentication is not managed by OTP.

        - There is an identity document and a video authentication.

        - Available in Sandbox once activated [by our support](https://yousign.app/auth/help). Consult our [Qualified eSignature guide](https://developers.youtrust.com/docs/qualified-signature) for more info.
      </td>
    </tr>

    <tr>
      <td>
        **Allowed authentication modes**
      </td>

      <td>
        `no_otp`<br />`otp_email`<br />`otp_sms`
      </td>

      <td>
        `otp_sms`
      </td>

      <td>
        `null`
      </td>
    </tr>

    <tr>
      <td>
        **Allowed types of signature interface**
      </td>

      <td>
        - ✅ Signature link delivered via email by Youtrust

        - ✅ Signature link delivered by you

        - ✅ Signature interface embedded in iFrame

        - ✅ Custom-made signature interface
      </td>

      <td>
        - ✅ Signature link delivered via email by Youtrust

        - ✅ Signature link delivered by you

        - ✅ Signature interface embedded in iFrame

        - ❌ Custom-made signature interface
      </td>

      <td>
        - ✅ Signature link delivered via email by Youtrust

        - ✅ Signature link delivered by you

        - ❌ Signature interface embedded in iFrame

        - ❌ Custom-made signature interface
      </td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</Table>

# How to set the signature level?

The signature level should be specified for each Signer, using the `signature_level` property. Here are the values it can have:

| Signature level      | `signature_level` value          |
| :------------------- | :------------------------------- |
| Simple eSignature    | `electronic_signature`           |
| Advanced eSignature  | `advanced_electronic_signature`  |
| Qualified eSignature | `qualified_electronic_signature` |

You will find below a Signer creation payload example for the **Simple eSignature** level :

```json
{
  "info": {
    "first_name": "John",
    "last_name": "Doe",
    "email": "john.doe@example.com",
    "phone_number": "+33760047242",
    "locale": "en"
  },
  "signature_level": "electronic_signature",
  "signature_authentication_mode": "no_otp",
  "fields": [
    {
      "document_id": "{{documentId}}",
      "type": "signature",
      "page": 1,
      "width": 180,
      "x": 400,
      "y": 650
    }
  ]
}
```