Electronic signature in Chile

Is the electronic signature legal in Chile?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legal and fully valid in Chile. The framework was set by Law 19.799 of 2002, which establishes the general principle of equivalence between electronic and paper formats in acts and contracts entered into by individuals, legal entities or State bodies. A document signed electronically with SignaSuite has the same legal effect as one signed on paper, provided the method identifies the signer and preserves the integrity of the content.

Chilean law recognises two distinct modalities: the simple electronic signature (the general category) and the advanced electronic signature (certified by an accredited provider). Both produce legal effects; the difference is evidentiary, as explained below.

Legal framework for electronic signatures in Chile

• Law 19.799 of 2002 — Law on electronic documents, electronic signatures and certification services. Sets functional equivalence between electronic and paper formats and the evidentiary value of electronic documents.
• Law 20.217 of 2007 — Amends Law 19.799 and reinforces the recognition of the electronic signature.
• Regulation of Law 19.799 (Decree 181/2002) — Details the technical and procedural requirements for electronic signatures and accredited providers.
• Labour Code and Ordinance No. 3161/64 — Recognise that employment contracts may be signed using electronic signatures.
• Law 21.220 of 2020 — Regulates telework and remote work, incorporating digital tools into labour relations.

Types of signature recognised in Chile

Simple vs. advanced electronic signature in Chile

The key difference lies in the burden of proof and the type of act being signed:

• The advanced electronic signature carries a presumption of authenticity and integrity thanks to an accredited provider. It is required for public documents.
• The simple electronic signature is more flexible and needs no accredited provider: it is valid when reliable and appropriate for its purpose. If challenged, the party invoking it must prove its validity with the technical evidence generated (signature audit, time stamp, traceability, etc.).

That is why SignaSuite backs every electronic signature with robust evidence — two-factor (OTP), biometric analysis, time stamps and an audit trail — that supports its evidentiary value in court.

Which documents can be signed electronically in Chile?

Evidentiary value: does an electronic signature hold up before a Chilean judge?

Yes. Law 19.799 confirms that acts and contracts cannot be denied effect merely for being concluded electronically. To weigh their evidentiary force, the court considers the reliability with which the document was generated, stored and communicated and how the signer is identified. The advanced electronic signature enjoys a presumption of authenticity and integrity; for the simple signature, the party invoking it must prove its reliability with the associated technical evidence. The stronger that evidence — robust authentication, integrity secured by a time stamp and full traceability — the greater the document's evidentiary weight.

SignaSuite generates a self-contained evidence record for every signed document, demonstrating authenticity, integrity and non-repudiation, ready to be submitted in legal proceedings.

Use cases for electronic signatures in Chile

• Human Resources: employment contracts, addenda, payroll and electronic labour communications.
• Financial: product onboarding, instruction letters and authorisations.
• Commercial and legal: customer and supplier contracts, NDAs and consents.
• Telework: formalising remote-work agreements under Law 21.220.

How to sign with legal validity in Chile using SignaSuite

• Biometric signature — handwritten and biometric capture for in-person signing on tablet or phone.
• Remote signature — sign from any device with email validation and OTP by SMS.
• Centralised signature — sign large volumes of internal documents with access control.
• Bulk signing (Stamper) — automatic sealing of invoices, certificates and recurring documents.
• Certified delivery (E-Delivery) — delivery with proof of receipt and traceability.

All of them generate secure, tamper-proof electronic evidence, undeniably binding each signer to their document.

Frequently asked questions about electronic signatures in Chile

Which law governs electronic signatures in Chile?

The framework law is Law 19.799 of 2002 on electronic documents, electronic signatures and certification services, amended by Law 20.217 of 2007 and developed by its regulation (Decree 181/2002).

Does an electronic signature have the same validity as a handwritten one?

Yes. Law 19.799 establishes the equivalence between electronic and paper formats: an electronic signature produces the same legal effects as a handwritten one and cannot be denied effect merely for being electronic.

What is the difference between a simple and an advanced electronic signature in Chile?

The advanced electronic signature is certified by an accredited provider, kept under the holder's exclusive control and enjoys a presumption of authenticity and integrity; it is required for public documents. The simple signature is more flexible, needs no accredited provider and its reliability is proven with the associated technical evidence.

Do I need an advanced signature to sign contracts in my company?

Not in most cases. A simple electronic signature is enough to implement employment and commercial contracts; the advanced signature is only required for documents deemed public or when a specific rule demands it.

Can I sign employment contracts electronically in Chile?

Yes. Ordinance No. 3161/64 of the Labour Directorate recognises that employment contracts may be signed electronically, and the generation and signing of electronic labour documents requires no prior authorisation from the authority.

Which documents cannot be signed electronically in Chile?

Acts that require notarisation or a handwritten signature are excluded, such as real-estate sales, mortgages and pledges, notarial promissory notes, solemn wills and family-law acts. In the labour field, contract-termination notices and settlements require additional formalities.

Updated June 2026. Informational content produced by the SignaSuite team; it does not constitute legal advice. For specific cases, consult a legal professional.

Keep reading: Electronic signature vs. digital signature · Legal validity of electronic signatures in Latin America.