THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING DSC FROM CERTIFYING AUTHORITY

WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING DSC FROM CERTIFYING AUTHORITY?

Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) Applicants can directly approach Certifying Authorities (CAs) with original supporting documents, and self-attested copies will be sufficient in this case.

Applicant need to submit the following documents:
- DSC application form duly filed by the applicant
- Address proof of the applicant
- Passport size photo of the applicant
DSC can also be obtained, wherever offered by CA, using AadhareKYC based authentication, and the applicant don’t have to submit the supporting documents.
A certificate issued by a Bank containing the DSC applicant’s information as maintain in the Bank database can be accepted. Such certificate should be certified by the Bank Manager.

WHO ISSUES THE DIGITAL SIGNATURE CERTIFICATE?

A licensed Certifying Authority (CA) issues the digital signature. Certifying Authority is a person who has been granted a license to provide a digital signature certificate under Section 24 of the Indian IT-Act 2000.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DIGITAL SIGNATURE CERTIFICATES?

The different types of Digital Signature Certificates are:

Class 1:
class 1 certificates are issued to individual/private subscribers and are used to confirm that the user’s name and email contact details from the clearly defined subject exist in the database of the certifying authority.
Class 2:
Here, the identity of a person is verified against a trusted, pre-verified database. Class 2 certificates are issued to the director/ authorities’ signatory of the companies for the purpose of e-filing with the Registrar of Companies. These certificates are mandatory for individuals who have to sign manual documents while filing returns with the ROC. However, from 01.01.2021, the Controller of Certifying Authority has instructed to discontinue Class 2 Certificates and Class 3 Certificates will be issued in place of Class 2 Certificates.
Class 3:
class 3 certificates are the highest level where the person needs to present himself or herself in front of a Registration Authority and prove his/ her identity.These certificates are used in online participation/bidding in e-auctions and online tenders in all over India. The vendors who wish to participate in the online tenders should have a Class 3 digital signature certificate.