Program Description

(The information provided on this page is for historical purposes only. This program was eliminated by the 2005 legislature and its rules were repealed.)

Beginning Nov. 16, 1998, the Department registered Authentication Authorities who issue digital signatures. This Web Page is designed to facilitate the application process, provide links to registered Authentication Authorities, publish information on the status of registrants and disseminate information on Oregon's Digital Signature Act.

In 1997, the Oregon legislature passed the Digital Signature Act, Oregon Revised Statute Chapter 192.825 to 192.855. The Act states that the intent of the legislature was:

1. To facilitate economic development and efficient delivery of government services by means of reliable electronic messages.
2. Enhance public confidence in the use of digital signatures.
3. Minimize the incidence of forged digital signatures and fraud in electronic commerce.
4. Foster the development of electronic commerce through the use of digital signatures to lend authenticity and integrity to writings in any electronic medium
5. Ensure that proper management oversight and accountability are maintained for agency conducted electronic commerce.

Responsibility for administering the Act was assigned to the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Division of Finance and Corporate Securities. Registration under the Act is voluntary and not mandatory. Persons who choose not to register under the act, may still legally offer or sell digital signature authentication services in Oregon. Registration with the state of Oregon provides consumers with a level of confidence that the Registrant has demonstrated the ability and resources to provide the services being offered in a safe and secure manner. However, registration by the state of Oregon in no way constitutes any guarantees about the business practices of the registrant. Consumers may access this Web Page to determine whether an Authentication Authority has chosen to register and the status of that registration.

An application for registration may be submitted electronically or in hard copy. The application form, the law, and administrative rules contained on this page may be downloaded for the use of the applicant. Alternatively, the applicant may submit the application electronically. If the applicant chooses to file the application electronically, the applicant must still submit the application fee manually. Included in the application form is a fee transmittal form which will allow us to correctly apply the funds to the appropriate revenue account.