Can I apply to an OV/EV certificate as an Individual?

  Business validation

An Organization Validation Certificate is a good option if you want to have your Organization/Company name visible to your customers, it will be available on the Site Seal that will be issued along with the Certificate. This type of certificate is easy to get validated in case you do not have a registered company.

According to Sectigo Certificate Authority’s policy if you apply as an Individual, the next documents are to be provided in a full volume:

A. Copy of a valid driver’s license or passport of the Applicant

B. Copy of a recent major utility bill (i.e. power bill, water bill, etc.) or bank statement of the Applicant

Note, if the Driver’s License and Passport are not listing any address details or those details do not match the account, then Sectigo Validation Team requires one of the documents under point A and 2 documents from B.

Note, recent = dated within the last 6 months.

After the documents verification step you will need to pass through a regular validation process for Sectigo OV Certificates:

  • Whois Verification (Registrant company name and address)
  • DCV (Domain Control Validation)
  • Callback to a Verified Telephone Number (to verify an applicant)

Note, a company telephone number for the non-registered company, that will be used for a callback, is verified using third-party databases such as Dun&Bradstreet.

Once the OV SSL certificate is installed on the hosting server for the website, the “Full Name of the Individual” will be displayed on the Trust Logo and in the certificate details.

Extended Validation SSL Certificates cannot be issued to individuals, the only exception is possible if you are a Sole Proprietor or have a small business.

Both the Sole Proprietor/Business Owner name and Assumed/Trade Name verification are required to validate a non-incorporated business entity for an EV Certificate.

Non-incorporated Business Entity

A “Business Entity” comprises the following options:

– General partnerships

– Unincorporated associations

– Joint ventures

– Sole proprietorships

To complete the validation process for Business Entity, the Sectigo validation team asks to fill out the Face-to-Face verification form.

You’ll need to find a legally registered Notary and collect some documents:

1) Government-issued photo ID [driver’s license OR passport]

2) One Financial institution documents [A bank statement or credit card less than six months old]

3) One Non-Financial document [Gas bill, Water bill, Power bill ]

4) Business entity registration with listing company name

The face-to-face verification form should be filled out and signed by a Notary who is authorized to conduct business in your area/country.

Once you submit the Face-to-Face document, the Sectigo validation team will verify the Notary’s credentials with the respective registration agency.

DBA or Trade Name

Unfortunately, it is not possible to issue an EV certificate for the Assumed name (Trade name or DBA) only.

According to the extended validation guidelines, Sectigo Certificate Authority will be able to include an assumed name along with a legal name to your SSL certificate.

To include the DBA name along with the legal company name in the certificate details, Sectigo Certificate Authority must verify it through one of the following sources:

  • Government database;
  • Independent third-party databases like Dun and Bradstreet;
  • Verified Professional Letter (legal opinion or certified public accountant letter that indicates the assumed name under which the Applicant conducts business, the government agency with which the assumed name is registered, and that such filing continues to be valid).

You can also check information about the EV validation requirements in this Sectigo article.

The EV SSL certificate will show “Assumed/Trade Name(Full Name of the Sole Proprietor/Business Owner)” in the certificate details and on the Trust Logo once installed on the hosting server for the website.