Electronic Signature Formats Explained: PAdES vs SVS (XAdES-based)
- Neve M
- Oct 31
- 4 min read
What We’ll Cover
Overview
Electronic signatures come in multiple formats; each designed for different use cases.
This article compares the widely used PAdES format with the XAdES format that powers SelfieSign's SVS (Selfie Video Signature) file, exploring how these technologies differ and what makes each suited to different scenarios.
PAdES: The Universal Standard Format for Electronic Signatures
PAdES (PDF Advanced Electronic Signature) is one of the most widely used electronic signature formats in the world. It works by embedding signatures directly into PDF files, keeping the signature and content permanently linked. This makes PAdES the ideal choice for applications where standard evidence preservation and document integrity are critical.
But what makes PAdES so popular? Three key strengths stand out:
Compatibility — Virtually any PDF reader can display and verify signatures, making document sharing and validation simple.
Standardization — PAdES follows international standards to ensure the legitimacy and authenticity of signatures.
Security — It employs multiple security mechanisms, such as digital certificates and hashing algorithms, to prevent tampering of signatures.
This translates to practical advantages like:
Universal Acceptance — Widely trusted and recognized across industries and jurisdictions.
High Reliability — Multiple security layers help maintain signature integrity.
Easy Verification — No additional tools or technical expertise required.
Today, PAdES is the trusted standard wherever document integrity and signer authenticity are critical: electronic contracts, invoices, certificates, and e-commerce transactions. It protects both parties by providing legally defensible proof of agreement.
SelfieSign supports PAdES as part of its standard electronic signature offerings, guaranteeing compatibility with your existing workflows and regulatory requirements.
SVS: The Proprietary Selfie Video Signature Format
SVS (Selfie Video Signature) is a proprietary electronic signature file format developed exclusively by SelfieSign. Unlike traditional static signatures, SVS captures the entire signing process as a dynamic video record, fundamentally changing how electronic signatures work.
Core Features
Dynamic Video Recording - SVS records the complete signing process on video, capturing the signer's identity, cryptographic timestamp, and location in real time. This creates a living record that goes far beyond what a standard signature can offer and greatly improves the credibility of an e-signature.
Multi-Dimensional Digital Evidence - In addition to video, SVS also collects comprehensive data points: the signing device, IP address, operating system, and other contextual information. This layered evidence creates a complete profile of the signing event for better traceability.
Encryption Protection - SVS employs advanced encryption technology to safeguard signature data and maintain integrity throughout its lifecycle.
Technical Foundation and Compliance
SVS is built on internationally recognized standards—the EU's eIDAS regulation, XAdES format, and ASIC (Associated Signature Container) technology.
These aren't just buzzwords. They provide real, unparalleled security and credibility for your e-signatures.
Likewise, SelfieSign’s real-time video recording, combined with multi-dimensional evidence collection, creates a powerful defense against forgery and tampering.
This makes SVS suitable for any signing scenario, from routine documents to high-stakes electronic transactions and legal agreements, opening a whole new world of possibilities for how electronic signatures can be used!
Applications of SVS:
High-value contract signing: Provides stronger legal assurance for contracts involving large sums or key assets.
Identity authentication: Serves as a robust identity verification method for use in finance, government, and enterprise contexts.
Remote signing: Enables users to securely sign documents anytime, anywhere.
In-Depth Analysis of SVS Patented Technology
SelfieSign's proprietary SVS (Selfie Video Signature) technology represents a significant milestone in electronic signature innovation.
It combines four core capabilities: multi-dimensional digital evidence integration, complete signing process documentation, dynamic video and audio capture, and environmental information preservation.
Together, these elements create unprecedented security and credibility for high-risk applications and dispute-prone scenarios.
Multi-Dimensional Digital Evidence Integration
SVS distinguishes itself through comprehensive evidence integration. Rather than relying on a single data point, SVS brings together multiple data sources (such as signing history, video and audio recordings, device information, and environmental data) into a single, tamper-proof chain of evidence. This integrated approach strengthens the legal validity of signatures and provides crucial support during dispute resolution, making it especially valuable for legal documents and financial transactions where reliability is non-negotiable.
Complete Signing Process Documentation
Standard e-signatures capture only a moment. SVS records every step of the signing journey. From the moment a signer starts signing a digital document through to the final signature placement, every action is captured and archived. A complete record like this serves dual purposes: it traces the signer's actions while ensuring transparency and authenticity throughout the process, preventing any possibility of forgery or tampering.
Dynamic Audio and Video Evidence Collection
The defining feature of SVS is its real-time video recording of the signing process. It captures the signer's actions, voice, and facial expressions synchronously, creating crucial evidence for an electronic signature. This strengthens non-repudiation, provides irrefutable proof during disputes, and makes signing behavior concrete and verifiable. When compared to standard PDF signatures, this evidence is difficult to deny or contest.
Environmental Information Collection and Storage
To further enhance credibility, SVS captures environmental data such as time, location, and sound during signing and stores it with the signed document. This contextual evidence becomes invaluable during disputes, corroborating the signature and strengthening authenticity claims.
International Standards and Regulatory Compliance
Electronic signatures require more than innovation. They demand alignment with global standards and regulations.
SelfieSign has built its technology to meet stringent international requirements, particularly the EU's eIDAS regulations and XAdES standards. SVS also leverages ASIC (Associated Signature Container) technology, demonstrating compliance with recognized global frameworks.
This ensures SVS signatures are not just secure but legally defensible worldwide.
Compliance with eIDAS Regulations and XAdES Standards
SelfieSign's technology complies with the European Union's eIDAS (Electronic Signatures and Trust Services) Regulation, one of the world's strictest frameworks for electronic signatures.
eIDAS sets rigorous standards for signature legality and technical requirements, particularly for Advanced Electronic Signature (AES) applications. SelfieSign not only meets these requirements but has achieved significant technological breakthroughs in the process.
SVS further strengthens compliance by adopting the XAdES (XML Advanced Electronic Signature) standard. XAdES is purpose-built for XML-format documents, supporting complex data structures while ensuring signature integrity and long-term validity.
By combining eIDAS compliance with XAdES standards, SelfieSign delivers a globally recognized electronic signature solution that meets international legal requirements.
ASIC Technology
SelfieSign's system adopts ASIC (Associated Signature Container) technology, a specialized container format for electronically signed documents. It bundles document content, digital signatures, and security credentials into a single container, keeping your electronic document and signature data inseparable while enhancing portability and verification.
ASIC proves invaluable in international contracts, financial transactions, and collaborative scenarios requiring trusted evidence exchange because it provides a standardized, secure, and tamper-resistant solution for digital documentation.
So, which should you choose?
While PAdES remains a mainstream format with broad compatibility, SVS's XAdES implementation delivers superior security for high-risk applications.
XAdES provides multi-dimensional data integration and is specifically designed for scenarios requiring complete evidence chains and dynamic data support.
For businesses and institutions needing maximum credibility and comprehensive proof, SVS's XAdES format is the optimal choice.
Comments