The Visible Digital Seal

A 2D code containing a document's key data, electronically signed by its issuer. It proves integrity and origin, offline.

Sample Data Matrix (not signed)

Three components work together

Names, dates, document type and other key fields, technical metadata, and a signature made with the Issuer's private key.

The authoritative rulebook for one use case: required fields, formats, constraints, validation policy and presentation.

Digitally signed trust lists that let a verifier confirm the Issuer and find its Manifest and public-key certificate.

ISO 22376 defines a common structure so that any conformant verifier can parse any seal.

Header

Version, issuing country and agency, certificate reference, Manifest ID, dates

Payload

The document's key data, serialised with MessagePack as the Manifest defines

Signature

ECDSA over SHA-256 with the Issuer's private key

Auxiliary data

Optional extra blocks

The four blocks of an ISO 22376 seal. Exact tags and sizes are specified in KB036.

The Issuer obtains an X.509 signing certificate from an accredited TSP.
It builds the Payload exactly as the Manifest prescribes.
The seal is signed inside a hardware security module.
It is encoded as a Data Matrix, QR code or digital carrier, then printed or embedded.

Strong authentication: The Issuer is identified by a certificate from an accredited TSP.
Tamper-proof integrity: Any change to the data invalidates the signature.
Issuer non-repudiation: The Issuer cannot deny having signed the seal.
Verifiable dates: Issue and validity dates are part of the signed data.
Standard interoperability: ISO 22376 and ISO 22385 mean one reader for every scheme.
Trust you can check: Every link of the chain is public and signed.
Any document: Paper or digital, printed Data Matrix or QR, even RFID.
Offline verification: Cached trust lists let a phone verify with no connection.

Travel and identityVisa stickers, residence permits, emergency passports, arrival attestations
Public healthVaccination and health certificates
Education and professionsDiplomas, accreditation certificates, professional ID cards, badges, licences
Finance and administrationBank details, proofs of residence, tax stamps
Supply chainAnti-counterfeiting labels and the EU Digital Product Passport

The Otentik Codes Reader reads VDS, VDS-NC and ISO 22376 seals.

2D-Doc

French national seal; the origin of VDS

France Titres (formerly ANTS)

ICAO VDS

Visas and emergency travel documents

ICAO Doc 9303 Part 13

ICAO VDS-NC

Health proofs and tax stamps

ICAO

ISO 22376 / 22385 VDS

The international, cross-sector format

VDSIC governance

CEV

Civil status and identity documents

ONECI, Côte d'Ivoire