Aug 8, 2022

Tutorial for obtaining and using the certME digital identity

How do I get my certME digital identity?

The certME digital identity is obtained for free by completing two simple steps:

  1. Installing the certME application from the Play Store or App Store and
  2. Verifying your identity using the identity card

How do I download and install the certME application?

To download and install the certME app you need to:

  1. Open the Play Store or App Store app on your mobile device and search for certME or scan the QR code below with your phone's camera
  2. Press the Install button and wait for the certME app to download and install
  3. Then launch the app by pressing the Open button or by tapping the certME app icon on the Home Screen

How do I perform the identity verification to obtain the certME digital identity?

The issuance of the certME digital identity is based on verifying the identity of the user based on the ID card through a video call within the certME application or face-to-face at the counter of a certME partner.

How do I verify my identity via video call?

  1. Open the certME application
  2. Go through and accept the legal documents (GDPR Information Notice, Terms and Conditions, Security Recommendations), if you have not already done so
  3. Press the Verify Now button on the main screen of the application
  4. Press the Video Verification button
  5. Enter the phone number and give your consent to go through the video identification process
  6. Make sure you have enough time for the video call
  7. Make sure you have a good enough internet connection to ensure an uninterrupted video call (even the slightest interruption stops the video call for security reasons and the call must be resumed from the beginning)
  8. Make sure that you have enough light in the location where you are to successfully scan the identity document and facial features
  9. Select the Romanian identity card and give your consent to the processing of biometric data
  10. Start the video call
  11. Grant the application access permissions to the video camera and microphone to make the video call
  12. Wait to be connected with a certME operator
  13. Place the ID card on a flat surface and scan it with the rear camera of your phone
  14. Enter the code received by SMS
  15. Hold the phone in selfie mode for facial recognition and smile detection
  16. Check the correctness of your data, tell the operator if you see any mistakes and wait for the operator to correct the data
  17. Check the correctness of the data updated by the operator and confirm or reject the identity verification
  18. Wait for the issuance of the identity
  19. All done! Now the identity is issued and you can use it for authentication and registration to online services

How do I perform face-to-face identity verification?

  1. Open the certME application
  2. Go through and accept the legal documents (GDPR Information Notice, Terms and Conditions, Security Recommendations), if you have not already done so
  3. Press the Verify Now button on the main screen of the application
  4. Optionally, if you are not already at a certME partner location, look on the map for the nearest location of a certME partner and go there
  5. Show the identity verification operator your ID card and wait for them to enter your data
  6. Press the Verify in person button
  7. Scan the QR code displayed by the operator
  8. Check and confirm the correctness of your data
  9. Show the operator the QR code on your phone
  10. Sign the verification report and receive a copy signed by the operator
  11. Press ok and wait for the issuance of the digital identity certME
  12. All done! Now the identity is issued and you can use it for authentication and registration to online services

How do I authenticate to online services using certME?

  1. On your computer or phone, press the Connect with certME button shown on your service provider's website
  2. If you are on a computer, scan the QR code with your phone's camera or, if you already have a certME digital identity, open it with the certME mobile app, press the Scan QR button and scan the displayed code. If you are on mobile, on your service provider's web page, press Launch certME
  3. Optionally, if you do not already have a certME digital identity, you must install the app and perform identity verification
  4. Confirm login in the certME mobile app by pressing the Confirm button and authenticate biometrically
  5. If you are on mobile, you return to your service provider's web page.

How do I register for services using certME?

  1. Log in to the online service where you want to create an account.
  2. The service provider's website sees that you don't already have an account and requests your data to create one for you.
  3. Check the notifications on your phone and/or the Requests screen in your certME app. Optionally, you can press the Update button
  4. Open the data request, verify the data requester, the requested data and allow the service access to your data by pressing the Accept button and authenticate biometrically
  5. If you are on mobile, return to the web page of your service provider

What do I do if my phone was lost or stolen?

If your device was lost or stolen, don't worry. The certME digital identity cannot be used without strong biometric authentication. You can install the certME app on a new phone and go through the video ID verification again, and your old digital ID will be automatically revoked. Alternatively, you can request the revocation of your certME digital identity.

How do I temporarily suspend my certME digital identity?

If you have access to your phone and the certME mobile app, you can temporarily suspend your certME digital identity by pressing the Suspend eID button on the app's main screen and confirming the action by pressing the OK button.

If you don't have access to your phone or the certME mobile app, you can temporarily suspend certME digital identity by going to a certME partner for identity verification and suspension. All you have to do is request the suspension and present your ID card to the ID verification operator and then sign the suspension report that they provide you with.

How do I reactivate my suspended certME digital identity?

You can reactivate your suspended certME digital identity by going to a certME partner for identity verification and reactivation. All you have to do is request reactivation and present your ID card to the ID verification operator, and then sign the reactivation report they provide you with.

How do I revoke my certME digital identity?

If you want to revoke a certME digital identity and issue a new digital identity on a new phone, you can install the certME app on a new phone and go through the video identity verification again, and your old digital identity will be automatically revoked.

If you just want the revocation of your certME digital identity without issuing a new one, all you have to do is go to a certME partner, present your ID card to the identity verification operator and request the revocation, and then sign the revocation report that they provide you with.