The Simple Version
An RFC 3161 timestamp is a digital notary stamp. Just like a notary confirms "this document was signed on this date," an RFC 3161 timestamp confirms "this digital file existed at this exact moment in time." It comes from a trusted third party — not your phone, not you — making it independently verifiable. This is exactly why timestamps matter for legal evidence.
How It Works
Capture
You capture a photo or video. The app creates a unique digital fingerprint (hash) of the file.
Send
That fingerprint is sent to a Timestamp Authority — like DigiCert — over a secure connection.
Certify
DigiCert attaches the exact date and time, signs it with their cryptographic certificate, and sends it back.
Proof
Now you have proof from an independent, globally trusted authority that your exact file existed at that exact moment.
No one can backdate it. No one can alter it. The math makes it impossible.
Why Your Phone's Timestamp Isn't Enough
Your phone records dates in EXIF metadata. This data can be changed in seconds with free apps. Courts and insurance companies know this. EXIF timestamps are helpful context but they are not proof — relying on them is one of the most common evidence documentation mistakes. An RFC 3161 timestamp from DigiCert IS proof — it's issued by the same type of authority that secures banking transactions and government documents.
Where RFC 3161 Is Used
Legal proceedings — Digital evidence authentication
Financial compliance — Regulatory timestamping
Intellectual property — Proving when an invention or creation existed
Healthcare — Medical record integrity
Evidence documentation — Proving when photos and videos were captured
Why DigiCert?
DigiCert is the world's largest certificate authority. They secure over 80% of the Fortune 500. Their timestamps are internationally recognized and trusted by courts, governments, and institutions worldwide. When your evidence carries a DigiCert timestamp, it carries institutional credibility — a key factor in what courts accept as digital evidence.
