Authentication of documents. Ombudsman’s Office suggests that parish councils offer citizens an alternative to using the white stamp

The Ombudsman’s Office has suggested that parish councils offer citizens an alternative to the use of the white stamp as a means of authenticating certifying documents signed by the respective presidents, namely certificates of residence or economic situation. The recommendation came about following a complaint in which it was found that citizens may find it impossible to use these documents when they are digitised, given the reduced perceptibility of the white stamp in this context.

In order to avoid unnecessary constraints, the Ombudsman’s Office recommends that, in cases where citizens express their desire to use documents digitally, parish councils should use the stamp as an alternative or complementary means of authentication to the white seal. In the case of an electronic document produced by the parish council itself, the affixing of a qualified electronic signature is the most appropriate form of certification.

Following this process, the Ombudsman’s Office requested the collaboration of the National Association of Parishes (ANAFRE) in order to disseminate among its member parishes its understanding of good administrative practices in terms of document authentication, and this collaboration was promptly provided.