12. A computer system for automatically processing a first electronic document sent from a sender to a designated receiver, the first electronic document having a digital signature, the system comprising: input means for receiving and entering data; output means for sending and presenting data; storage means for storing data; a memory; and a processor, wherein the memory and the processor are configured to perform a method comprising: receiving the first electronic document from the sender; validating the digital signature by using a public key of the sender; checking whether the digital signature is from a person or a legal entity authorized to send the first electronic document; determining, if the person or the legal entity is authorized to send the first electronic document, whether the person or the legal entity that signed the first electronic document is authorized by an issuer named in the first electronic document to sign the first electronic document; creating an electronic protocol of the results of validating, checking, and determining; signing the protocol; archiving at least one of data selected from the group consisting of the protocol and the first electronic document; and presenting the first electronic document to the designated receiver.
16. The system of claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises: requesting a time stamp from a trusted authority and adding the time stamp to the electronic protocol before signing.