Visible Digital Seal
Cryptographic Proof of Authenticity on Any Document.
A Visible Digital Seal (VDS) embeds a cryptographically signed 2D barcode directly on a physical document — making authenticity machine-verifiable with any smartphone, without infrastructure, without a database lookup. ISO 22376 compliant, PKI-backed, and deployable on any paper or digital credential.
Explore BioSeal APIHow It Works
VDS binds document data to a cryptographic signature — any tampering breaks the seal and is immediately detectable.
Offline verification: the cryptographic signature is self-contained in the barcode — no internet connection, no database lookup, no issuer contact required to verify authenticity.
Key Features
VDS combines cryptographic security with operational simplicity — strong enough for government credentials, lightweight enough for any document.
PKI-Backed Signature
Every seal is signed with the issuer's private key. Verification uses the public key — unforgeable without access to the private key.
Tamper Detection
Any modification to the printed document data breaks the cryptographic signature — detected instantly on scan, no human judgment required.
Offline Verification
The seal is self-contained — no server call, no database, no network needed. Works in remote locations, border posts and air-gapped environments.
Standard Readers
Any smartphone camera or 2D barcode reader can scan a VDS — no specialized hardware, no proprietary app required.
Flexible Data Payload
XML-format manifest accommodates any data structure — identity fields, biometric templates, document metadata or custom attributes.
Biometric Extension
BioSeal extends VDS with a biometric template embedded in the seal — linking the document holder's identity cryptographically to the credential.
Standards & Governance
VDS is governed by international standards and an independent trust council — ensuring cross-border interoperability and legal recognition.
ISO 22376
Specifies requirements for the creation and verification of Visible Digital Seals on documents. Defines the ESEDS structure: header, payload, issuer signature and optional auxiliary block.
ISO 22385
Outlines methods for evaluating the effectiveness and security of Visible Digital Seal implementations — ensuring consistent performance across deployments.
VDSIC / AIGCEV
The Visible Digital Seal International Council develops standardized VDS deployment frameworks, maintains a global stakeholder registry, and enables cross-border interoperability through structured trust networks.
id3 Technologies is a key VDSIC contributor and was the first to integrate the Otentik Trust Network. Our BioSeal solution extends the VDS standard with a biometric authentication layer — linking individuals to documents and preventing identity fraud with high-precision face or fingerprint verification.
Application Domains
VDS is applicable to any document where authenticity must be machine-verifiable — without relying on online infrastructure.
Government & National ID
Passports, national ID cards, residence permits and driving licences — VDS provides instant offline verification at any checkpoint.
Travel & Immigration
Tamper-proof digital seals on visas, travel documents and health certificates — cross-border interoperability through VDSIC trust networks.
Education & Credentials
Diplomas, transcripts and professional certifications sealed at issuance — instantly verifiable by employers and institutions worldwide.
Financial Services
Bank statements, contracts and certified financial documents — VDS prevents forgery without requiring real-time database verification.
Healthcare
Medical certificates, vaccination records and prescriptions sealed with VDS — verifiable anywhere, even without network access.
e-Government & Legal
Notarial acts, permits, judicial documents — VDS provides legally defensible proof of authenticity and integrity for official paper documents.
Why id3 Technologies
VDSIC Founding Member
id3 Technologies is a key contributor to the VDSIC and the first to integrate the Otentik Trust Network — at the heart of global VDS standardization.
Biometric Extension
BioSeal is the only solution that embeds a biometric template inside the VDS — face or fingerprint verification tied cryptographically to the document.
No Infrastructure Needed
VDS verification is fully offline and self-contained — no online issuer contact, no server, no database. Deploy in any environment.
Full-Stack Delivery
From the signing API to the mobile verification app — id3 delivers the complete VDS ecosystem, including custom integration and turnkey applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Visible Digital Seal technology.
01 What is a Visible Digital Seal?
A Visible Digital Seal is a 2D barcode (QR code or PDF417) printed on a document containing an encrypted, cryptographically signed data payload. Scanning the barcode instantly verifies that the document data is authentic and has not been tampered with — without any network connection.
02 How is VDS different from a standard QR code?
A standard QR code contains plain data — anyone can create one with any content. A VDS is cryptographically signed with the issuer's private key, making it impossible to forge without access to the private key. Any modification to the payload breaks the signature.
03 Does verification require an internet connection?
No. The cryptographic signature and all necessary data are self-contained within the barcode. Verification only requires the issuer's public key, which can be pre-loaded into the verification app — no network call, no server lookup, no issuer contact.
04 What document types can use VDS?
Any printed or digital document — passports, visas, national ID cards, diplomas, medical certificates, financial documents, vaccination records, permits and legal acts. VDS is format-agnostic and can be added to any document that has space for a 2D barcode.
05 What standards does VDS comply with?
ISO 22376 (creation and verification requirements) and ISO 22385 (evaluation methods) — the international standards governing Visible Digital Seals. id3's BioSeal also aligns with ICAO guidelines for biometric data encoding in travel documents.
06 What is BioSeal and how does it extend VDS?
BioSeal is id3's extension of the VDS standard that embeds a biometric template (face or fingerprint) inside the signed payload. A verifier can not only confirm the document is authentic, but also confirm that the person presenting it matches the biometric stored in the seal — linking identity to document cryptographically.
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Contact us to learn more about our biometric and security solutions and discover how it can transform your products and services. With id3 Technologies, step into a world where technology meets security, innovation, and reliability.
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