Despite its age, fax is considered one of the most legally reliable ways to transmit documents. But why is that, and when should you use fax?
In a time when emails and messengers dominate, fax may seem like a relic. Yet when it comes to legal validity, fax has decisive advantages: automatic proof of delivery, high acceptance by government agencies, and documented transmission.
Why fax is legally recognized
The legal recognition of fax is based on one crucial advantage: the transmission report. It automatically records:
- Date and exact time of transmission
- The recipient fax number
- The number of pages transmitted
- The transmission status (successful/failed)
A positive transmission report supports the presumption that the document reached the recipient. This shift in the burden of proof is a key advantage over other transmission methods.
Fax vs. email: the decisive difference
While emails pass through several servers on their way to the recipient and can be caught in spam filters, fax uses a direct point-to-point connection. That means:
- No intermediate stops where messages can be lost
- Immediate feedback on transmission status
- No risk of ending up in the spam folder
An email read receipt can be refused by the recipient, while a fax transmission report is created automatically and cannot be influenced by the recipient.
Online fax: modern and legally reliable
With modern online fax services like FaxMonkey, you combine the legal reliability of traditional fax with the convenience of digital communication:
- No fax machine required: Send faxes directly from your computer or smartphone
- Digital archiving: All transmission reports are stored automatically
- Immediate delivery: Your document reaches the recipient in seconds
- Full legal reliability: Same transmission standard as traditional fax machines
This way, you get the benefits of fax without investing in outdated hardware.