How to Get a Digital Signature Certificate in India

How to Get a Digital Signature Certificate in India

Digital signatures are an opportunity to prove your identity online. Similar to driving licenses, passports and PAN cards permit you to verify your identity in-person digital signatures allow you to establish the authenticity of your online identity. For this, you'll need an electronic signature certificate which allows you to electronically sign documents. If you're looking to know what you need to do to obtain an electronic signature certification, or what it's about and why you need it, you're at the right spot. In this post, we'll explain all you must learn concerning digital signature certificates.

Are digital signatures identical to electronic signatures?

A digital signature certificate is distinct. Digital signatures aren't secure and could be that is as easy as emailing "I accept" via email to, say that you're your CA or the manager of your fund. Digital signatures should be secured and include details about your identity and they are able to be used to access sensitive personal information, such as your tax-filing account on the website of the Income Tax Department.

What is the best place to find an electronic Signature Certificate?

Digital signature certificates are very helpful in India because documents that are digitally signed are recognized by many authorities and can be admitted in court as well. Digital signature certificates to file your tax returns for income, to file a Registrar of Companies e-filing, auctions on the internet (such as tenders via e-mail) as well as to sign documents like PDFs.

If you own an electronic signature certificate, you won't need to mail certified hard copies of documents. This can reduce the amount of time and also the time required to sign many documents. Because of the encryption that is used for these documents, you'll be able to ensure that the person who receives the documents is aware that the documents are authentic.

What are the various kinds of Digital Signature Certificates?

The kinds of digital signature certificates and their purposes are as they are:

• Class 1 Name and address for the email of an individual are able to be confirmed. This information is not intended to be used by businesses.
• Class 2 Digital signature certificate confirms the identity of an individual against a trusted, pre-verified database. This certificate is needed by trusts or companies to submit their tax returns.
• Class 3 The highest and safest digital signature certificate that is available in India. To obtain this certificate, a person must present him or herself before the authority for registration to prove the authenticity of their identity. This type of registration is necessary for those who wish to take part in tenders or auctions online.

How can I get a Digital Signature Certificate in India?

The Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) within the Ministry of Electronics & IT has given certain certifying agencies the power to provide a digital signature certificate. The complete list of certified certifying agencies via the CCA website. There are several types of certificates for digital signatures, and they cannot all be provided by every certifying authority that is licensed. In May 2018 the diverse types of certifications for digital signatures issued by various certifying agencies licensed are listed below.

What is the length of time an electronic signature certificate valid?

There are various types of certificates for digital signatures on the market and when you purchase one, you are able to choose the validity period and also the validity period. At the present, you can buy digital signature certificates which last for up to three years and the minimum period is one year.

What does it cost to obtain an electronic signature certificate?

The certifying authority in India generally doesn't offer class 1 certificates. This is due to classes 2 and 3 certificates being the most frequently used by government portals, and class 1 certificates don't validate any information other than your name or email address. Prices for digital signature certificates differ between different providers, and you can verify the cost for each one on your own. We checked with Emudhra and their website. They offer digital signature certificates starting at 899 to Rs. 899 to Rs. 5,999, based on the class duration, length, and type of certificate you require.

Do you know of anyone who offers an online digital signature certificate for free for India?

If you're looking to purchase a USB token to keep an electronic signature (for approximately 500 rupees. 750.00) You can even obtain the certificate at no cost through websites such as Free DSC.

What are the necessary documents to obtain an electronic signing certificate?

For classes 2 and 3-digital signature certificates, required documents are certified copies of identity proofs and proof of address. You'll need the documents certified by a gazetted official or the bank manager. Identity proofs include documents such as passports driver's licenses or any other ID issued by the government. It is possible to verify this by contacting your certifying authority to get confirmation.

Address proof can be found in documents like the most recent phone statement, a bill for electricity water bill or voter ID card, or a passport, for example. The documents used for address proof differ for different companies and it is recommended to consult the authorities who certify your address before you proceed.

How long will it take to obtain an electronic signature certificate from India?

Most certifying agencies take anywhere between 3 and 7 days to issue digital signature certificates within India.

Where can I keep my certificate for digital signature?

Digital signatures certificates can be digital copies of the certificates that you can save on your personal computer. You can also purchase a USB token to store these certificates which are thought to be more secure. If you erase this certificate or disappear it along with the USB token, there's no way to get it back. You must revoke the digital signature certificate and request a new one.