Patent attributes
A system and methods for registering and acquiring e-credentials using personal devices and an identity registry system that combines the method for handling digital seals with a proof-of-existence method. The identity registry system is used to register and verify e-credentials. Device owners register their e-credentials when created and updated and verify acquired e-credentials to safeguard against tampering and errors. When registering an e-credential, the e-credential is hashed and digitally sealed creating an identifying thumbprint that is stored in the identity registry system. When verifying an acquired e-credential, the e-credential is hashed, the identity registry system is searched to locate the identifying thumbprint, and the digital seal of the thumbprint is verified. A requesting owner can request an issuing owner to proof, attest, and digitally seal an e-credential of the requester.