Changes to an already signed document in Cincel?

It is common that, once a signing process is finished, the need to make adjustments or amendments to a document arises. However, in the realm of digital signatures, the integrity and legal validity of a signed document are paramount, and this implies that a signed document cannot be directly modified.

At Cincel, our priority is to guarantee the security and legal compliance of all your agreements. Therefore, the platform is designed to protect the immutability of documents once they have been signed. This guide explains why this happens and what solutions are available to you to manage changes safely and legally.

The Immutable Nature of the Signed Document

Once a document has been electronically signed in Cincel, its integrity is legally and cryptographically sealed. This is fundamental for it to maintain its evidentiary value and be admissible in court.

• Cryptographic Integrity (Hash): When signing a document, a unique “digital fingerprint” is generated, known as a hash. This cryptographic code is a mathematical representation of the exact content of the document. Any minimal alteration, even a space or a comma, would completely change the hash, indicating that the document has been manipulated and, therefore, losing its original validity.
• Legal Certifications (NOM-151): If your document was signed with a Smart Certificate, it includes a NOM151 Data Preservation Certificate issued by an authorized PSC. This certification guarantees the existence and integrity of the document at a specific time, granting it "Certain Date." Modifying the document would nullify this certificate.
• Blockchain: Documents certified with Cincel are also notarized on public blockchain networks, which creates an immutable record of their existence at a specific date and time. Any change would break this chain of trust.

Why does Cincel not allow the direct modification of signed documents?

Cincel is built on principles of security and legal compliance to protect both document creators and their signers. Preventing the direct modification of a signed document is an essential feature to:

• Preserve Legal Validity: Ensures that the document presented in case of a dispute is exactly the one that was agreed upon and signed by all parties.
• Guarantee Non-Alteration: Protects all parties against possible manipulation or fraud after the signature.
• Maintain the Audit Trail: The Audit Trail records all actions performed on the document until the moment of its completion. A subsequent modification would invalidate this record.