German law requires that employee and contractor agreements be signed in hard copy with wet ink. When this is not possible, the law permits the use of a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES).
A QES is a signature that bears an electronic wallet verifying the identity of the signor. To obtain a QES, signors are required to verify their identity over video call prior to signing the agreement.
Deel uses DocuSign and IDNow, a trusted e-signature service provider authorized by the German Government to replace hard-copy wet-ink signatures on employment agreements.
The video verification process is a one-time requirement. Once you are verified, you have the option of creating a digital wallet to store your electronic signature. This will enable you to sign future agreements using DocuSign without going through the video verification process.
The verification process will take about 10 minutes.
Before you start
Please ensure you have the following items with you when you initiate this process
- Government issued photo ID or Passport: IDNow approved documents
- Mobile phone number to receive identify code confirmation
- High speed internet connection
If you do not have an approved government issued photo ID or passport an alternate signor in your organization who has the necessary documents should be selected to sign the Scope of Work. Please advise your Customer Success Manager of the alternate signor’s first and last name, and email address.
Verifying your identity with IDNow
Please note that QES identify services are only available between 8:00am and midnight GMT.
✅ Step 1 – Initiate the process with DocuSign
After you sign the Scope of Work on the Deel platform, you will receive an email from DocuSign to start the QES verification process. This email will arrive 1 to 2 days after you sign the Scope of Work. You will have 2 business days after receiving the email to complete the verification.
✅ Step 2 – Sign the document
Follow the on-screen prompts to sign the document with DocuSign. Once complete you will be prompted to initiate the verification process.
✅ Step 3 – Choose a verification method
You will be prompted to provide details about your government issued photo ID and choose a verification method. You can choose to use a webcam or smartphone app for this video call.
✅ Step 4 – Verify your identify over video
An IDNow agent will guide you through the verification process. The agent will ask you to confirm your identity and take a picture of your government issued photo ID. The agent will ask you questions about your document, and at the end of the call you wil be asked to confirm verbally that you agree to sign the document.
✅ Step 5 – Create your digital wallet
Once your identity has been verified you will have the option to create a digital wallet to store your qualified electronic signature. This will enable you to sign future documents with DocuSign without completing the video verification process.
That’s it! You have now signed your Scope of Work with DocuSign + IDNow. You will receive a confirmation email from DocuSign within 30 minutes. Following receipt of your digital signature, Deel will countersign the agreement within 24 hours and inform our HRX team to complete the onboarding process.
Frequently Asked Questions
[ACCORDION] I received an “Identification cannot be started” error, what do I do?
Contact your Deel Customer Success Manager to restart the process.
[ACCORDION] Can we proceed with onboarding while the QES is in progress?
No. The onboarding process can only be initiated once the QES process is complete
[ACCORDION] My link expired, what do I do?
The DocuSign link will expire after 2 days. Please contact your customer success manager for assistance
[ACCORDION] What supporting documents can I use to verify my identity?
You will need a photo passport or other government issued photo ID. Please see the IDNow list of identification documents.
If you do not have an approved government issued photo ID or passport an alternate signor in your organization who has the necessary documents should be selected to sign the Scope of Work. Please advise your Customer Success Manager of the alternate signor’s first and last name, and email address.
[ACCORDION] When are QES services available?
QES services with IDNow are only available between 8:00am and midnight GMT
[ACCORDION] Is my data secure with IDNow?
The IDNow system was developed and programmed in Germany in compliance with GDPR measures to prevent access and use of the data by unauthorized persons.
Learn more about DocuSign data security.