10 Electronic Signature
10.4 Time stamp

A time stamp (or timestamp) demonstrates the existence of a document in a given form at a given (specific) time; it does not deal with when the document was created and who owned the document.

The time stamp's data structure is similar to the structure of certificates. Technically, a time stamp is implemented as just another electronic signature derived from the TSA (Time Stamp Authority).

There is also a so-called qualified time stamp as the equivalent of a qualified electronic seal or qualified electronic signature. Qualified time stamp is created by a qualified time stamp service provider.

The electronically signed structure of a time stamp includes, among many others:

TSA, time stamp authority, proves synchronization of its time source with UTC (Universal Time Coordinated).

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Time stamp example