What is Digital Certificate?

A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is a secure digital key that certifies the identity of the holder, issued by a Certifying Authority (CA). It typically contains your identity (name, email, country, APNIC account name and your public key). Digital Certificates use Public Key Infrastructure meaning data that has been digitally signed or encrypted by a private key can only be decrypted by its corresponding public key. A digital certificate certificate is an electronic certificate"credit card" that establishes your credentials when doing business or other transactions on the Web.

Where Can You Use The Digital Signatures

The beauty of digital signature certificates is that they can be used by anyone for any reason they have. It has no restrictions. This means that the digital signature certificate can be used in so many sectors of life. Here are a few places you can use the digital signature ceritificate.

For personal use: You can always sign every document that you send out electronically for security purpose. It does not matter where you are sending the document and to whom. You can use it the best way you please.

In business: You can always send electronically signed documents to your business partners, investors, and other shareholders when communicating important official information. There are other examples where digital signature certificates are applicable, and they include signing business deals and signing proposals.

This also includes those doing business in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction companies (AEC). These signs can also be used in business to sign tenders, procurements, and even in making biddings. They make running of businesses very easy and smooth.

Return filling for GST: With the introduction of GST in India, businesses have seen better days. Even so, the filling of returns is what many people have had issues with. But because of the issuance of digital signatures and the availability of e-filling, the process has been made easier, faster, efficient, and convenient.

Learn about GST Return Filing. Also read about guide to register DSC with GST.

Filling of income tax: Many citizens of India always have to file their income tax returns all over India. The introduction of e-filling made things a little easier, and with the introduction of digital signatures, things have become better than ever. You can sign all the documents required while in the comfort of your home.

For ROC e-filling: Companies are required to file numerous documents with the Registrar of Companies in India. Therefore, digital signatures will come in handy when signing these documents.

Finance and insurance sector: This is yet another sector that needs a lot of paperwork. Whether it is the application of loans, mortgages, claiming of insurance or applying for one, signatures will always be required. To streamline these activities and make business smooth and easy, these institutions are using digital signatures.

Digital can be used in every aspect of life. There are no restrictions as to where and when you can use the digital signatures unless stated otherwise in a certain country.

How To Get A Digital Signature

Digital signatures are becoming very popular in the whole world. Countries that approve the use of digital signatures have a structure that governs the acquisition and use of the digital signature. Even so, regardless of the country that you come from, the way of acquisition is standard. Digital signatures are created and issued by qualified individuals. For anyone to get a valid digital certificate, they must get it from a certifying authority (CA).

The Certifying Authority (CA) is a kind of Trust Service Provider, and it is a third-party organization that is trusted and accepted in a country. It has the power of issuing the citizens with digital signatures. These CAs have rules and regulations that they have to keep and be governed by.

When you are in India, you can use the following CAs to get your digital signature certificate.

1. Digital Signature Mart
2. Make My Digital Signature
3. eSign DSC
4. Capricorn DSC

Documents Required For Obtaining A Digital Signature

Getting digital signature certificate (DSC) has its requirements and the requirements will vary depending on the country where one is. Even so, some documents cut across and one can expect that they may be required to produce these documents.
The reason why these documents are required is to verify your identity. They also offer information about who you are. The information provided by the documents are also used on your dsc. Therefore, you must always provide the right information. Remember, the digital signature is going to attach to your documents, your identity because it shows you are the one sending the document. Therefore, you must always provide accurate information.
Some of the documents include:

• An application form that has been filled with accurate information and has been duly signed. When you are applying for any certificate, an application form rarely misses in the requirements.
• A photo because this is going to identify you physically. Therefore, always have a passport size photo with you when you go to apply for this certificate.
• Your identification will also be required which can be the driver’s license, your passport, an identification card, or any other. In India, you will also need your PAN card and a few other documents.
• Other than documents, you will also have to provide information such as your working mobile number, your email address, and sometimes your physical address.
• All this information will vary depending on where you are in the world. Remember, the requirements vary. Also, those foreign citizens who are applying for digital signatures in a certain country will have different requirements. The rules that govern such special cases are determined by the always of that particular country.

Types of digital signature certificate (DSC) 

There are various types of Digital Signature Certificate that cater to specific needs. While eFiling on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs portal, a Digital Signature Certificate of Class 2 and Class 3 category is required.
A Class 2 Digital Signature Certificate is available for download after verification based on a trusted and pre-verified database.
A Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate, on the other hand, is of a higher level as it is issued only after the registrant’s identity verification has been done by a Registration Authority.

What type of Digital Signature Certificate is required for e-Tendering, e-Procurement, Trademark / Patent filing?
Ans. Class 3 Company / Organization User certificate is required for e-Tendering, e-Procurement , Trademark / Patent filing. Class 3 is the highest type of Digital Signature Certificate. it can be issued for 1 years or 2 years. After the valid period , user need to renew class 3 digital signature certificates.

What type of Digital Signature is required for Income Tax filing, ROC and MCA filing?
Ans. Class 2 Digital Signature Certificate is required for Income Tax filing, ROC and MCA filing. Class 2 Digital Signature Certificate can be issued for 1 year or 2 years. After the valid period , user need to renew class 2 digital signature certificates. Class 2 Digital Signature certificate can be issued to individual / organization.

What type of Digital Signature is required for Importers-Exporters?
Class 3 DGFT Digital Signature Certificate is required for DGFT website to communicate. DGFT Digital Signature is valid for 1 years or 2 years. User can save time and money by using DGFT Digital Signature Certificate.

What type of Digital Signature is to be obtained for eFiling on the MCA Portal ?
DSC of Class 2 and Class 3 category issued by a licensed Certifying Authority (CA) needs to be obtained for e-filing on the MCA Portal.

What does X509 refer to as it relates to digital certificates?
Ans. X509 is the industry standard for digital certificate format. It defined the various mandatory and optional attributes that can be defined within the certificate.

Why does a digital signature have a limited validity period?
Ans. Digital signature certificates have an explicit start date and an explicit expiration date. Most applications check the validity period of a certificate when the digital certificate is used. The signature certificate expiration date is also used for managing the certificate revocation list (CRL). A certificate is removed from the revocation list when its natural expiration date arrives. As such, generally the shorter the certificate validity period, the shorter the CRL.

What is a root certificate, and why do I need one?
Ans. A root certificate is one of two things: Either an unsigned public key certificate or a self-signed certificate used to identify the Root Certificate Authority (CA). The root certificate is in fact the anchor of trust in a digital certificate and is used for validating the entire certification tree.