When a document carries a seal, it sends a clear message: this document has demonstrably been issued by the authority and it cannot be altered. But how does that work in an era when most administrative work is carried out digitally? The answer is simple: with digital seals.

What is a digital seal, and how does it differ from a signature?
While a digital signature ensures the integrity of a document and links the signature uniquely to a natural person, a digital seal confirms that a document originates from an organisation – in this case, the municipality itself. The digital seal replaces the physical stamping or signing by an authority, creating legal certainty and traceability in the digital sphere. A practical example:

• Digital signature: The head of the planning office personally signs the building application.
• Digital seal: The municipality attaches a seal to the building permit to guarantee its authenticity – without the need for a personal signature.

With digital seals, automatically generated or mass-produced documents such as building permits, official notices or bulletins can be legally compliant and tamper-proof before publication. This not only saves time but also builds trust among citizens and third parties.

And who checks whether a document is genuine?
That is where the DeepValidator comes in – Switzerland’s first nationally certified validator, developed by DeepCloud. It allows digitally signed or sealed documents to be verified at the push of a button.

When is a digital seal particularly useful?
Whether used once or a thousand times: wherever municipalities issue official documents, digital seals prove their worth. Here are some examples:

OFFICE	TYPICAL DOCUMENTS
Resident’s Office	Certificates of residence, applications for residence permits when moving to Switzerland, cantonal changes, changes of residence status, deregistration confirmations, address enquiries, …
Building Autority	Building applications, building permits, approvals, construction records, …
City/Municipal Chancellery	Minutes, directives, resolutions, …
Social Services Office	Applications for social assistance and funding, benefit decisions, …
Schools	School report, course registrations, …

From theory to practice: How Swiss municipalities use digital seals today
More than 200 cities and municipalities – including Zurich, Zug, Thun, Basel, Illnau-Effretikon, Orpund, Küsnacht and Rafz – already rely on digital seals for certificates and communications. They benefit from fully digital processes, from application through to issuance, saving resources while avoiding media discontinuities, as the following example shows.

The City of Zurich uses DeepSign to sign contracts and legal documents efficiently and in compliance with the law. Electronic seals ensure secure, transparent processes in the creditor workflow and in archiving. Customised seals for each office guarantee the origin and integrity of documents, enabling millions of records to be sealed and stored quickly and securely.

Conclusion: Digitalisation requires trust
Today, digital seals are the key to efficient, secure and transparent administration. By adopting digital solutions now, municipalities can save time and costs, protect the integrity of official documents and strengthen citizens’ trust – all in a simple and legally compliant way.

Would you like to strengthen your municipality digitally as well?
We would be delighted to show you how digital seals and the DeepValidator can simplify your daily work. Contact us at sales@deepcloud.swiss.

This article was originally published in the October 2025 issue of Schweizer Gemeinde.