Digital Signature Certificate: Benefits, Classes, How to get

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What is Digital Signature Certificate:-

The certifying authorities will issue a secure digital key called a digital signature certificate for the purpose of authenticating and certifying the identity of the person holding the certificate. Public key encryptions are used in digital signatures to produce the signatures.

A digital signature certificate (DSC) includes details about the user, including their name, pin code, country, email address, certificate issue date, and the name of the certifying authority.

Table of Contents

Digital Signature Certificate

The authorized individual attaches a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) to papers that are submitted electronically. It guarantees the validity and security of papers supplied electronically. All documents submitted through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) site have a DSC stamp. DSC is used to validate online operations including LLP, company incorporation, and income tax e-filing. Certifying Authority (CA) has been appointed by the Controller of Certifying Authority (CCA) to issue DSC. CAs have the authorization to dispense Class 3 DSC.

Digital Signature Certificate Benefits

Authentication:-

useful for verifying the accuracy of the individual’s personal information data when conducting business online.

Reduced Cost and Time:-

You can digitally sign the PDF files and submit them much more rapidly than physically signing the paper copies and scanning them to distribute via email. It is not necessary for a Digital Signature certificate holder to be physically present in order to conduct or authorize business.

Data Integrity:-

Digitally signed documents are safe and secure since they cannot be changed or updated after being signed. To cross-check and validate the business transaction, government agencies frequently request these certifications.

Authenticity of Documents:-

Digitally signed documents allow the recipient to be confident in the signer’s legitimacy. They can operate in accordance with these documents without being concerned that they were fabricated.

Importance of DSC for Fulfilling Statutory Compliance

Individuals and businesses who must have their accounts audited are obligated to file their income tax returns using a digital signature. Additionally, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs has mandated that businesses submit all reports, applications, and documents using only digital signatures.

A business can only register under the GST by validating the GST application using a digital signature. Even for filing applications, changes, and other associated paperwork, using a digital signature is required.

Digital Signature Certificate: Certifying Authorities for Issuance

eMudhra is one of the certifying authorities for the issuance of Digital Signature Certificates in India, according to the Controller of Certifying Authority. Additional certification bodies could be (n) Code Solutions, National Informatics Centre, Safescrypt, and Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology.

DSC Classes

The kind of DSC one must apply for depending on the necessity is determined by the applicant type and the reason for which the digital signature certificate is sought. The certifying authority has three different types of digital signature certifications.

Class 1 Certificates:-

These are issued to individual/private subscribers and are used to verify that the user’s name and email address from the specified subject is stored in the certifying authority’s database.

Class 2 Certificates:-

These are given to the company’s director/signatory authority in order to submit documents electronically to the Registrar of Companies (ROC). When submitting returns with the ROC, persons who must manually sign documents must hold a Class 2 certificate. The Controller of Certifying Authority, however, has given instructions to stop issuing Class 2 Certificates as of January 1, 2021, and to replace them with Class 3 Certificates.

Class 3 Certificates:-

In any area of India, these certifications are required for online participation and bidding in e-auctions and online tenders. A Class 3 digital signature certificate is required of suppliers that want to take part in online tenders.

DSC: Requirements for Applying

ID proof.
Address proof.

How to apply for a DSC?

Any individual applying for a DS Certificate is required to fill out an Application Form for online submission and verification of personal details by the certifying authority. To fill in the Application form please log in to the website of the Certifying Authority.

Log on and Select Your Type of Entity:-

Log on to the website of a Certifying Authority licensed to issue Digital Certificates in India.
Having accessed the page, you will be guided to the Digital Certification Services section.
Now under the ‘Digital Certification Services’ section, click on the type of entity:- individual or organization’, etc.
In case you are applying for an individual DSC, click on ‘individual’.
DSC Registration Form will appear on your screen.
Download the DSC Registration Form on your PC.

Fill Out the Necessary Details:-

Once you have downloaded the form, fill in all the important details as required in the form:
- Class of the DSC.
- Validity.
- Type: Only Sign or Sign & Encrypt.
- Applicant Name & Contact Details.
- Residential Address.
- GST Number & Identity Details of Proof Documents.
- Declaration.
- Document as proof of identity.
- Document as proof of address.
- Attestation Officer.
- Payment Details.
On filling up all the necessary details you must affix your recent photograph and put your signature under the declaration.
Check thoroughly for completion of the form. Take a print of the completed form and preserve it.

Identity and Address Proof:-

The supporting document provided as proof of identity and address must be attested by an attesting officer.
Make sure the supporting proof documents clearly display the attesting officer’s signature and seal.

DSC Application Payment:-

To Pay the DSC application, you must have a demand draft or cheque in the name of the local registration authority where you intend to submit your application for verification.
By conducting an online search for a Certifying Authority authorized to issue Digital Certificates, you can discover the specifics of the Local Registration Authority for your place of residence.

Post Required Documents:-

Put the following in an envelope:

DSC Registration Form duly completed -Supporting document for Proof of Identity and proof of address attested by the attesting officer.
Demand Draft/Cheque for payment.

Send it to LRA:-

Send the accompanying envelope, marked “Local Registration Authority (LRA),” to the LRA’s specified address for processing.

By completing the DSC Form, submitting the required paperwork, and making the required payments, you have successfully finished the application procedure for your Digital Signature Certificate.

Digital Signature Certificate Correction

To modify the information or correct errors in the DSC follow the steps below:-

Log in with the existing user-id.
Go to the ‘Change DSC details’ option.
Fill in the requisite details of the DSC.
Select the renewed/Changed DSC.

FAQ

Who needs to apply for a Digital Signature Certificate?

Government organizations have adopted digital signatures as a result of the e-commerce boom, and many e-forms must be digitally signed by the authorized signatory as a legal requirement. Therefore, both individuals and entities must acquire a digital signature. A digital signature certificate proves the owner’s identity. It allows the holder to confirm his identity and functions similarly to a PAN card or passport.

Where can I use the digital signature certificate?

A digital signature certificate is a valid legal document. It is allowed to use a digital signature certificate to sign a variety of documents. It can be utilized for different regulatory firm filings, income tax returns, and e-tenders.

How long does it take to receive the digital signature certificate in India?

In India, the majority of certifying authorities give digital certificates in three to seven days.

What is the validity of the Digital Signature Certificate?

Depending on the class of DSC being obtained, the Certifying Authorities are permitted to issue certificates having a validity of 1 or 2 years. In order to prevent any business losses, the certificate’s bearer must be fully aware of its validity.

Can I hold multiple digital signature certificates?

Yes. A person can use a different digital signature for personal and professional transactions. An individual can apply for a Class 3 certificate, which is the highest level and most secure, and use it for all papers, so they do not need to have different certificates for each type of document they want to authorize.

Can I renew the certificate?

Yes, It is possible to renew the digital signature certificate up to 7 days before the current certificate expires.

Digital Signature Certificate: Benefits, Classes, How to get