Digital Signature Certificate

Digital Signature Certificate(DSC)

Secure Your Digital Transactions with a Digital Signature Certificate

Enhance your online security with a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) in India! A DSC provides a secure and legally recognized way to sign electronic documents, ensuring authenticity and integrity. Perfect for e-filing income tax returns, registering businesses, and participating in e-tenders, a DSC simplifies and secures your digital interactions.

Register now to safeguard your online presence with a trusted digital signature!

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What Is DSC?

The Digital Signature Certificate, therefore, serves as a secure digital key issued by the certifying authority. Consequently, it validates and verifies the identity of the person holding the certificate.

Digital Signatures use public-key encryption to create signatures. The Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) contains information on the user’s name, pin code, country, email address, date of issue of the certificate, and the name of the certifying authority.

Classes Of DSC

The applicant’s type and purpose for obtaining the Digital Signature Certificate define the type of DSC needed. The certifying authority issues three types of digital signature certificates.

DSC Class 1 – These certificates confirm that the certifying authority’s database clearly defines the name and contact details of the individual or private subscriber.

DSC Class 2 – Directors or signatory authorities of companies use these certificates for electronic filing with the Registrar of Companies (ROC). Individuals signing documents/forms while filing returns with the ROC must have Class 2 certificates.

DSC Class 3 – Vendors use these certificates to participate in online auctions and tenders across India. To take part in online tenders, vendors must have a Class 3 digital signature certificate.

Use Of DSC

You will be using your digital signature for various reasons like filing a GST return, filing income tax return, etc. For security reasons, the Digital Signature Certificate is stored on a hardware device, a USB token, known as ePass. The USB token can only hold your Digital Signature Certificate. The USB token is also protected and incapable of storing any other documents or information.

To use your Digital Signature Certificate token, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Before plugging in the USB token, please download and install the e-pass 2003 token driver

Step 2: After installation, plug the USB token into the USB port of your computer and enter the password. You can change the password on the token by selecting the option “CHANGE USER PIN”.

Step 3: After you have signed a document, subsequently unplug the USB token from your computer and then store it in a safe place.

Documents Required For DSC

The specific documents required for obtaining a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) can vary depending on the certifying authority and the type of DSC you are applying for (Class 2, Class 3, etc.). However, the following is a general list of commonly required documents for individuals and organizations:

For Individuals:

  1. Identity Proof (Any one of the following)
    • PAN Card
    • Passport
    • Driving License
    • Post Office ID Card
    • Bank Account Passbook containing the photograph and signed by an individual with attestation by the concerned Bank official
    • Photo ID card issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs of Centre/State Governments
    • Any Government-issued photo ID card bearing the signatures of the individual
  2. Address Proof (Any one of the following)
    • AADHAAR Card
    • Voter ID Card
    • Passport
    • Driving License
    • Latest Utility Bill (Electricity, Water, Gas) – Not older than 3 months
    • Bank Statements signed by the bank
    • Service Tax/VAT Tax/Sales Tax registration certificate
    • Property Tax/ Corporation/ Municipal Corporation Receipt
  3. Passport-sized Photographs
    • Typically, 1 or 2 recent color passport-sized photographs

For Organizations (Companies, LLPs, etc.):

  1. Identity Proof of Authorized Signatory (Any one of the following)
    • PAN Card
    • Passport
    • Driving License
    • Photo ID card issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs of Centre/State Governments
  2. Address Proof of Authorized Signatory (Any one of the following)
    • AADHAAR Card
    • Voter ID Card
    • Passport
    • Driving License
    • Latest Utility Bill (Electricity, Water, Gas) – Not older than 3 months
    • Bank Statements signed by the bank
  3. Organizational Proof (Any one of the following)
    • Certificate of Incorporation (for companies)
    • Partnership Deed (for partnerships)
    • Trust Deed (for trusts)
    • Any other relevant proof of existence as required by the certifying authority
  4. Organizational Address Proof (Any one of the following)
    • Latest Utility Bill (Electricity, Water, Gas) – Not older than 3 months
    • Bank Statements signed by the bank
    • Service Tax/VAT Tax/Sales Tax registration certificate
    • Property Tax/ Corporation/ Municipal Corporation Receipt
  5. Authorization Letter
    • A letter from the organization authorizing the individual to apply for the DSC on behalf of the organization.

Additional Notes:

  • The documents must be self-attested by the individual or authorized signatory.
  • In some cases, certifying authorities may require attestation by a Gazetted officer, Bank Manager, or Postmaster.
  • Digital Signature Certificate applications may need to be accompanied by the duly filled application form provided by the certifying authority.

Verification Process:

  • Some certifying authorities may conduct a video verification or in-person verification to confirm the identity of the applicant.

DSC Validity and DSC Renewal

Certifying authorities issue digital signatures for a limited validity period of 1 or 2 years. After the validity period ends, you must apply for a renewed DSC.

FAQs

What is meant by DSC?

The Digital Signature Certificate is a secure digital key issued by the certifying authority for the purpose of validating and verifying the identity of the person holding the certificate.

What is the structure of a DSC?

The Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) contains information on the user’s name, pin code, country, email address, date of issue of the certificate, and the name of the certifying authority.

How many DSC classes are there?

DSC Class 1 –  issued to individual/private subscribers.

DSC Class 2 – These are issued to the director/signatory authorities of the companies for the purpose of electronic filing with the Registrar of Companies (ROC).

DSC Class 3 – These certificates are used for online participation/bidding in e-auctions and online tenders anywhere in India.

What is the role/ function of a DSC?

One can use their digital signature for various reasons like filing a GST return, filing income tax return, etc. 

How long is a DSC valid for?

Digital signatures are issued for a limited time period of its validity of 1 or 2 years. After completion of its validity, you must obtain a renewed DSC for which an application has to be made.

Is DSC Secured?

For security reasons, the Digital Signature Certificate is stored on a hardware device, a USB token, known as ePass. The USB token can only hold your DSC. The USB token is also protected and incapable of storing any other documents or information.