Digital Signature Certificate

Signing certificate, encryption certificate, or both

• A signing certificate authenticates the signer and secures the document against alteration
• An encryption certificate protects the confidentiality of the data submitted
• A combination certificate provides both, and is what most e-tendering portals require
• For ROC, income tax and GST filings a signing certificate alone is generally sufficient

Where a Class 3 certificate is required

• Company and LLP incorporation, and all subsequent Registrar filings
• Income tax returns filed by companies and by entities subject to audit
• GST registration and return filing for companies and LLPs
• Government e-tendering and e-procurement portals
• Import and export filings on the DGFT and ICEGATE portals
• Trademark and patent filings made electronically
• Employees’ provident fund filings by the employer

The token, and why it matters

The certificate is issued onto a FIPS-compliant USB cryptographic token. The private key is generated inside the token and cannot be exported from it, which is what makes the signature secure.

That also means the token cannot be duplicated. If it is lost, the certificate must be revoked and a fresh one issued — there is no recovery. Certificates are normally issued for one, two or three years, and a longer validity costs less per year.

How we handle it

1. 1 Choosing the right certificate We confirm the class, whether you need signing, encryption or both, and the validity period that suits you.
2. 2 Application The application is submitted to the certifying authority with your identity and address documents.
3. 3 Verification Identity is verified through video verification and mobile and email confirmation, as the authority requires.
4. 4 Issue and download The certificate is issued and downloaded onto the USB token.
5. 5 Delivery and setup The token is delivered to you and we assist with driver installation and first use.

Frequently asked questions