---
title: What's the difference between the CIEC password and the FIEL password?
description: Learn the difference between the CIEC and FIEL passwords, what each one is used for, and which password you need to electronically sign documents.
---

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1. [Frequently Asked Questions](https://guia.mifiel.com/en?hsLang=en)
2. [Document signing](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/document-signing?hsLang=en)
3. [Features of the e.firma](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/document-signing?hsLang=en#features-of-the-e-firma)

# What's the difference between the CIEC password and the FIEL password?

## When it comes time to electronically sign a document, it's easy to mix up your CIEC and your e.firma/FIEL password — and to wonder which one you actually need. Both are issued by the SAT, but they're different credentials with different uses.

### **Contents**

1. [CIEC](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/difference-between-ciec-and-fiel-password#CIEC)
2. [FIEL password](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/difference-between-ciec-and-fiel-password#fiel-password)

---

### **CIEC**

- **CIEC:** Clave de Identificación Electrónica Confidencial (Confidential Electronic Identification Code)
- **What is it?** A login credential made up of your RFC and a password you create yourself.
- **What is it for?** Signing in to the SAT portal.
- **How do you get it?** You can get it online through the SAT portal. All you need is your RFC and the email address you have on file with the SAT. The SAT will send you a form, and from there you create your CIEC. You can also apply in person at a SAT office.
- **What can I use my CIEC for?** To make any update, clarification request, or filing on the SAT portal — fixing your information, filing returns, making payments, reviewing transactions, downloading CSDs, and more.

---

### **FIEL password**

- **FIEL password:** The password that protects the private key (the file ending in .key) of your FIEL/e.firma.
- **What is it?** The password you created when you applied for your e.firma at the SAT. It's what lets you sign documents with your e.firma. It can be a mix of letters, numbers, and punctuation marks.
- **What is it for?** Together with the rest of your FIEL files, this password is what completes the electronic signature process for any legal document that requires it — so be sure to keep it somewhere safe.
- **How do you get it?** By scheduling an appointment with the SAT (the process has to be done in person).
- **What can I use my FIEL for?** The FIEL/e.firma is a general-purpose advanced electronic signature. You can use it to sign all kinds of documents — anything from a lease agreement to a promissory note or even payroll receipts (CFDI).

- [Document signing](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/document-signing?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [How to sign a document using the e.firma in Mifiel](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/document-signing?hsLang=en#how-to-sign-a-document-using-the-e-firma-in-mifiel)
    - [Features of the e.firma](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/document-signing?hsLang=en#features-of-the-e-firma)
    - [Common errors](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/document-signing?hsLang=en#common-errors)
- [Document preparation](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/document-preparation?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Invite signers](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/document-preparation?hsLang=en#invite-signers)
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- [Document management](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/document-management?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [General](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/document-management?hsLang=en#general)
    - [For document managers](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/document-management?hsLang=en#for-document-managers)
- [Verifying a signed document and its signatures](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/verifying-a-signed-document-and-its-signatures?hsLang=en)
- [Private signing process of encrypted documents](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/private-signing-process-of-encrypted-documents?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Creation of encrypted documents](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/private-signing-process-of-encrypted-documents?hsLang=en#creation-of-encrypted-documents)
    - [Signing of encrypted documents](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/private-signing-process-of-encrypted-documents?hsLang=en#signing-of-encrypted-documents)
    - [Set up of organizations and accounts](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/private-signing-process-of-encrypted-documents?hsLang=en#set-up-of-organizations-and-accounts)
- [API integration](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/api-integration?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [General](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/api-integration?hsLang=en#general)
    - [Signing widget customizations](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/api-integration?hsLang=en#signing-widget-customizations)
    - [Additional features](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/api-integration?hsLang=en#additional-features)
- [Plans and packets, billing and payment](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/plans-and-packets-billing-and-payment?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Features](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/plans-and-packets-billing-and-payment?hsLang=en#features)
    - [Pricing scheme](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/plans-and-packets-billing-and-payment?hsLang=en#pricing-scheme)
    - [Purchasing process](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/plans-and-packets-billing-and-payment?hsLang=en#purchasing-process)
    - [Billing process](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/plans-and-packets-billing-and-payment?hsLang=en#billing-process)
    - [Checking your consumption](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/plans-and-packets-billing-and-payment?hsLang=en#checking-your-consumption)
- [Managing your e.firma and your Mifiel account](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/managing-your-e-firma-and-your-mifiel-account?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Your Mifiel account](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/managing-your-e-firma-and-your-mifiel-account?hsLang=en#your-mifiel-account)
    - [Features for signers](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/managing-your-e-firma-and-your-mifiel-account?hsLang=en#features-for-signers)
    - [Your e.firma (FIEL)](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/managing-your-e-firma-and-your-mifiel-account?hsLang=en#your-e-firma-fiel)
- [Legal topics](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/legal-topics?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Electronic signature regulations](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/legal-topics?hsLang=en#electronic-signature-regulations)
    - [Common questions when transitioning to electronic signature](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/legal-topics?hsLang=en#common-questions-when-transitioning-to-electronic-signature)
- [Organization Management](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/organization-management?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Generating an organization in Mifiel](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/organization-management?hsLang=en#generating-an-organization-in-mifiel)
    - [Adding members and editing their permissions](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/organization-management?hsLang=en#adding-members-and-editing-their-permissions)
- [About Mifiel](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/about-mifiel?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [General information](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/about-mifiel?hsLang=en#general-information)
- [Signing from the app](https://guia.mifiel.com/en/signing-from-the-app?hsLang=en)

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