Sign a sworn statement (attestation sur l'honneur) electronically

A sworn statement (attestation sur l'honneur) is a document in which you yourself certify that a situation is accurate: your address, the absence of a criminal conviction, the accuracy of information provided. It is often requested with an application, and an electronic signature is enough for most recipients.

What your statement is worth

A sworn statement binds only you, and you alone sign it. Its value rests on your commitment: drawing up a statement reporting materially inaccurate facts is a criminal offence (French Criminal Code (Code pénal), Article 441-7).

Signed electronically, it has the same value as when signed by hand: the electronic signature identifies you and links you to the document (French Civil Code (Code civil), Article 1367).

How to go about it

1. Write the statement — or fill in the template provided by the organisation asking you for it.
2. State your last name, first name, the date, and the customary wording: "J'atteste sur l'honneur que…" ("I solemnly declare that…").
3. Save the document as a PDF, upload it to 1-signature, and sign.

Which level to choose

• Level 1: it is enough for most statements. Access to the signature is protected by a code received by email.
• Level 2: the same, with a code received by SMS, to strengthen the evidence that it really was you who signed.

If the receiving organisation requires a higher level, it will say so: follow its instructions.

Key points

• Check that the recipient accepts an electronically signed statement. Most do; some administrative forms have their own rules.
• Send the signed PDF exactly as you downloaded it: saving it again or printing it to PDF would erase the signature.
• Keep the signed document and its evidence file, and download them within seven days.