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QES Signing Process (Recipient) – Step by Step

If a document has been sent to you from ContractHero for a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES), you sign it via a signature link. Depending on the signature method, identity verification is carried out, for example via Adacom (including a one-time password (OTP) via SMS and ID verification via smartphone — no video call, only a check to confirm you’re a real person).

Requirements

  • Access to your email inbox (signature invitation)
  • A smartphone with a front-facing camera
  • A phone number that can receive SMS (for OTP)
  • A valid ID card or passport (depending on the country / issuing country)
  • Permission for camera & microphone in your mobile browser (for authenticity verification)
  • Do not leave the browser during the signing process to avoid an unnecessary restart.


Step 1: Open the signature email

  • Open the email with the signature request.

Subject: “Request to sign the document …” + document name

  • In the email you will see:
    • Sender (name + email address, as stored in ContractHero)
    • Sender’s message (from ContractHero)
  • Click “View document”.

Email Einladung zur Unterschrift

Step 2: Open the document & start signing

  • After clicking “View document”, the document opens.
  • You will see the document and the sender’s message.
  • Click “Signature” (or “Signature here”) to start.



Step 3: Add your signature and submit

  • Add your signature in the signature field (there are multiple options).

  • Click “Apply”.
  • To browse through the document, click “Next”.
  • To continue the signing process, click “Submit signature”.


Step 4: Choose a signature method

  • Choose one of the available signature methods.

If you already have an account with a provider, you can use, for example, A-Trust, D-Trust SignMe, or Swisscom AIS.

  • If you don’t have an existing account, Adacom is usually the easiest option.



Step 5: (In this example) Adacom opens in a pop-up

  • Clicking it opens an Adacom pop-up window.


Step 6: Enter your phone number and verify the OTP

  • Enter your phone number (personal or business).
  • You will receive a one-time password (OTP) via SMS.
  • Enter the OTP and click “Verify”.



  • Start the identity verification by clicking “Start Verification”.

  • Click “Get Secure Link”.
  • Scan the QR code on your screen with your phone.

  • Continue on your phone and leave the browser on your computer open.



Step 8: Continue on your phone: live verification



  • Allow access to your camera and microphone.

  • Select the document type and the issuing country.

  • Take a photo of your ID.



  • If your photo is accepted and you complete the liveness verification (no video call—just a short moving image), you will receive a confirmation.




  • Then switch back to your browser on your computer.

Step 10: Accept terms and confirm OTP

  • On the computer, your name and country are filled in automatically.
  • The status shows: Verification completed.
  • Accept the Adacom terms and conditions by clicking “Accept”.


  • You will receive an OTP.

  • You will receive a final OTP.
  • Enter the OTP within the displayed time (e.g., 1 minute) and click “Next”.





Step 11: Enter the final OTP and complete the signature

  • You will see a success screen: “Your signature was successful”.



Abschluss Bildschirm



Step 12: Confirmation & final documents

  • All parties receive an email once the signing workflow is complete.
  • The final document includes:
    • the signatures
    • the QES proof / procedure seal



FAQs & notes

Multiple signers

A document can be sent to multiple signers. Signatures can only be provided in sequence, not simultaneously. The completion notification is sent once the signing workflow is fully finished.

Pop-up / new window doesn’t open

“Start signing” opens a new window. If nothing happens, please check your browser’s pop-up blocker settings.

OTP doesn’t arrive

Please check:

  • Is the phone number correct?
  • Can you receive SMS?
  • Wait briefly and resend the OTP if that option is available.

Camera/microphone don’t work

Please allow browser access to the camera and microphone, then restart that step.

Updated on: 01/08/2026

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