Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) is the electronic format of physical or paper certificate like a driving License, passport etc. Certificates serve as proof of identity of an individual for a certain purpose; for example, a Passport identifies someone as a citizen of that country; who can legally travel to any country. Likewise, a Digital Signature Certificate can be presented electronically to prove your identity, to access information or services on the Internet or to sign certain documents digitally it contains user’s name, pin code, country, email address, date of issuance of certificate and name of the certifying authority.

Classes of Digital Signatures

There are three different classes of Digital Signature Certificates:

Class 1: Cannot be used for legal business documents as they are validated based only on an email ID and username. Class 1 signatures provide a basic level of security and are used in environments with a low risk of data compromise.

Class 2: Often used for e-filing of tax documents, including income tax returns and Goods and Services Tax (GST) returns. Class 2 digital signatures authenticate a signee’s identity against a pre-verified database. Class 2 digital signatures are used in environments where the risks and consequences of data compromise are moderate.

Class 3: The highest level of digital signatures. Class 3 signatures require a person or organization to present in front of a certifying authority to prove their identity before signing. Class 3 digital signatures are used for e-auctions, e-tendering, e-ticketing, court filings and in other environments where threats to data or the consequences of a security failure are high.

Need of Digital Signature Certificate

1. A Digital Signature Certificate authenticates your identity electronically.
2. It povides you with a high level of security for your online transactions by ensuring absolute privacy of the information exchanged using a Digital Signature Certificate.
3. You can use certificates to encrypt information such that only the intended recipient
4. You can digitally sign information to assure the recipient that it has not been changed in transit, and also verify your identity as the sender of the messagecan read it.

Use of Digital Signature Certificates

You can use Digital Signature Certificates for the following:

1. For sending and receiving digitally signed and encrypted emails.
2. For carrying out secure web-based transactions, or to identify other participants of web-based transactions.
3. In eTendering, eProcurement, MCA [for Registrar of Companies efiling], Income Tax [for efiling income tax returns] Applications and also in many other applications.
4. For signing documents like MSWord, MSExcel and PDFs.
5. Plays a pivotal role in creating a paperless office.

Documents required for Digital Signature

For Individuals

• Identity Proof- Self attested PAN Card/Driving Licence/Passport
• Address Proof- Self attested Aadhar Card/ Voter I’d/ Electricity Bill/ Water Bill (not later than 2 months)
• Other- 1 Photograph, Email I’d and contact no.

For Foreign Individuals
 

• Identity Proof- Attested copy of Passport/Attested copy of VISA (If the applicant is out of the native country)/Attested copy of Resident Permit certificate (If the applicant is in India)
• Address Proof- Attested copy of Applicant Passport/Attested copy of any other Government-issued address proof
• Other- 1 Photograph, Email I’d and contact no.