What Is a Digital Signature Certificate? - Overview

A digital signature certificate online is another name for a DSC or ID. The authority should have an active digital certificate in order to sign official documents digitally. A certificate authority will issue a digital certificate. One can either buy a DSC online or apply for a DSC online from third party certificate authorities. Additionally, a lot of organisations, governments, and businesses can publish their own certifications. In order to use a digital signature it is mandatory to have a digital certificate. Digital signatures are made feasible by digital certificates.

The digital signature certificate is used to identify and verify the identity of individuals holding and using this signature. It is also used like a secure digital key.

Public key encryptions are used in digital signatures to produce the signatures. Along with the user's name, other information including the pin code email address, the date on which the certificate issued and the name of the certifying authority will be included in the digital signature certificate.

Basic Type of DSC Certificates

Sign DSC: Only signing documents are permitted with sign DSC. The most common application is for websites such as tax returns, MCA, and others to sign PDF files. When you sign using DSC, the data and the signer's integrity are both guaranteed. It serves as evidence of intact and unaltered data.

Encrypt DSC: This type of digital signature certificate is widely used to protect a document. It is used to encrypt a document and is used in tender portals to help businesses that focus on uploading their papers.

The certificate might potentially be used to deliver encrypted, sensitive information. Legal documents, e-commerce documents, and distributing documents containing highly confidential information are appropriate uses for encrypting DSC. The encrypt certificate is a standalone certificate.

Encrypt and Sign: Both signing and encrypting may be done using the Sign & Encrypt DSC. It is apt for users who wish to uphold the privacy of shared information and authenticate the same. It is used for submitting applications and forms to the government.

Advantages of Register DSC Signature Online

• Authenticity: When transacting business online, authentication is useful for verifying the accuracy of the individual's personal information and DSC provides greater authenticity
• Cost and time savings: You can sign PDF files digitally and send them much more quickly than you can physically sign paper copies of documents and scan them to distribute via email. It is not mandatory for a digital signature certificate holder to be present physically to conduct or authorised business
• Data integrity: Digitally signed documents cannot be changed or updated once they have been signed, making the data safe and secure. These certifications are frequently requested by government organisations in order to cross-check and confirm the business transaction
• Improved authenticity of documents: In most cases a digitally signed document provides greater assurance for the recipient that the signer is true
• They won't have to worry about the documents being faked if they act on the basis of such documents.

Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (Class 3 DSC)

This class of digital signature certificate is particularly used for filing electronic documents and submitting tenders. The need for digital signatures is constantly growing as the Indian government pushes 'Digital India'. Its application can be seen, among other things, in the filing of income tax returns, EPFO, PF, GST, and e-procurement. The class 3 DSC price for 2 years is also affordable. You can register for your DSC signature online at just ₹499.

Compared to the conventional method of submitting a paper application and presenting certified papers, we can actually issue a DSC in a matter of minutes. The following are Class 3 certificates' primary purposes:

• e-Tendering
• e-filing for patents and trademarks
• e-filing for MCA
• filing taxes online
• Registration of LLP
• e-filing for customs
• e-Procurement
• e-Bidding
• e-Auction
• filing a GST application

Three Types of Users in Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate

User type 1: Individual DSC

Overview

This type of DSC is used by individuals. The authorised person attaches a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) to papers that are submitted electronically. It guarantees the confidentiality and validity of electronically supplied documents. All documents uploaded to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal have a DSC stamp. DSC is used to validate online transactions including LLP incorporation, income tax e-filing, and business incorporation.

Advantages

• A digital signature increases the transaction's security.
• Nobody who is not authorised can commit fraud in transactions
• The status of the documents that have a digital signature applied may be easily tracked
• Speedy delivery of documents
• Since it was issued by a certifying agency recognised by the government, it is completely lawful
• You are unable to retract your digital signature from a document
• When a document is signed with this signature, the date and time are immediately stamped on it
• The digitally signed document cannot be copied or changed
• Identifying information about the signer
• Removing the chance that an imposter could perpetrate fraud.

Disadvantages

• You must fix all of the compatibility issues
• There are numerous compatibility options, including updated drivers and software
• The usage of unsafe storage facilities and key loss or theft are mentioned in this signature
• The need for a standard that will allow these various approaches to cooperate grows greater
• Many of these technological items have a limited shelf life in this era of rapid technological innovation
• Both senders and recipients may need to purchase digital certificates in order to use a digital signature properly
• The sender and recipients must pay for verification software in order to use digital certificates
• A digital signature requires money, which is the main conduit for every business.

Validity

It has a one-year or two-year validity period. Upon expiration of the initial issuance period, the DSCs are renewed.

User Type 2: Organisational DSC

Overview

The Organisational DSC is necessary for businesses, non-profit organisations, trusts, and government agencies. It includes the applicant's name, the name of the organisation, and information on both the applicant and the organisation. This provides the right of the user on behalf of an organisation. To approve a signatory of any organisation, a DSC is granted. Class 3 digital signature includes a certificate for both encryption and signing, and is the most secure one. A document is signed with a signature certificate, and data is encrypted with an encryption certificate.

Advantages

• Cost-effective: Digitalisation has a cost, but over time you can find that you end up saving money. Paper documents can be signed digitally
• Quick turnaround: By using this digital format, every kind of document may be signed with a single mouse click. Because these codes enable dynamic approval processes on paper with a fully digital system that is speedier and less expensive
• Strengthen security: By acquiring a digital signature certificate, you can reduce the likelihood of fraud and document tampering and ensure that signatures are authentic
• Increased workflow efficiency is guaranteed by these signatures. It is easier and quicker to manage and trail documents
• Benefits for the Environment: DSC keeps the environment clean by eliminating the need for paper and pens
• Legal Acceptability: It aids in establishing credibility that may be used in any court

Disadvantages

• The technology utilised to establish a digital signature will have a significant impact on it
• Digital signatures must adapt swiftly to stay functional if technology develops as quickly as it does
• You must buy digital certificates, which can be extremely expensive, in order to employ digital signatures
• Software for verification must also be purchased by users.

Validity

They have a validity of 1 or 2 years.

User Type 3: DGFT DSC

Overview

For any organisation looking for an import or export licence, one can choose a class 3 digital signature certificate. All these applications are submitted by a representative or a signatory authority.

All documents signed using a DSC are treated similarly to those that were physically signed because the DSCs are recognised by the DGFT portals' legal system. One can also reap the benefits that the Indian Information Technology Act 2000 bestows upon them.

Issued by the company only when a signing certificate is present. It comes into play when the DGFT portal requires a digital signature in an electronic format for transactions made using web browsers.

Advantages

• Simpler and Quicker Payment
  One can get quicker payments and can finish a sale more quickly with the aid of a digital signature certificate. Along with this, the creation of legal documents and invoices, which would have slowed on ink, can be simplified.
• saves money and time.
  In rare circumstances, numerous people may need to sign the same document. These documents would have been delivered by courier to various individuals in the past for their signature. With DSC, it is simple to submit the document to numerous persons online and get their digital signatures.
• Improved Security
  Compared to traditional pen and paper signatures, digital signatures provide more security. Pen and paper signatures are quite simple to copy. A digital signature, on the other hand, is protected from tampering because it is encrypted.
• Authenticity
  Digital signatures are accepted anywhere that pen and paper signatures were previously accepted. In every government office and in every court, DSC is admissible.

Disadvantages

Security difficulties, technological incompatibilities, and cost are some of the drawbacks of digital signatures. Although using digital signatures to protect and authenticate a communication or document is a very effective method, its benefits are limited by key loss or theft and the use of unsafe storage facilities. Additionally, there are a number of digital signature standards that are incompatible with one another, thus a standard that allows for interaction between them is important. The business has to spend more money to get the services needed for digital signatures in order to use them. This covers the cost of purchasing a Digital Signature as well as the programme that will be used to create the DSC.
Validity : DSCs are often issued with a one- or two-year validity term. These are renewed when the first issuing period ends.

Documents to Buy DSC Online

Indians wishing to apply for a DSC must provide:

• PAN Card
• Proof of Identity like a licence
• Address verification: Aadhaar card, voter ID, driver's licence, or registration document
• Attestation from an official

Indian organisations wishing to submit an online DSC application must do the following:

• PAN within the company
• Deed of partnership, if appropriate
• Concerned person who are authorised to sign documents,
• Proof of an authorised signatory
• GST registration
• Depending on the form of entity—partnership, proprietorship, single ownership, LLP, etc.—the papers for Indian firms may vary.

When filing a DSC apply online form , foreign persons and organisations must provide:

• Passport of the applicant, attested
• If the applicant is outside of their country of origin, an attested copy of their visa
• If the applicant is in India, an attested copy of the residence permit certificate
• Any government-issued address proof with an attested copy

Application for a Digital Signature Certificate Online: Step-By-Step Instructions

In just three easy steps, the specialists at Barrister Babu will assist you in completing your DSC online registration:

Step 1: Reach out to our experts

Initially after getting in touch with our experts, we will gather all of your fundamental information, including name, gender, address, nationality, country, email address, mobile number, and the DSC usage type you are requesting.

It might be used for personal usage, foreign trade, e-tenders, IT filing, MCA e-filing, GST filing, or other purposes. Additionally, we'll help you pick the appropriate class and complete the form.

Step 2: Complete Online documentation

All required documentation, including a PAN card, address verification, a passport, etc., will be gathered and submitted for evaluation with the appropriate attestation.

Step 3: DSC registration

We will validate your papers in two ways after the payment has been received and the information has been compared to the PAN card as shown in the income tax portal:

video capture Your registered mobile number and email address will be used to give you a video link where you must capture your personal data (name, DOB, etc.) and transmit it to us.

Send your DSC application ID, name, mobile number, and email address in a reply to the SMS that contains the DSC application ID and a mobile number.

After verification is complete, we will send your USB token with your digital signature certificate, which is a physical password-protected device that contains your digital signature.

Procedure for Foreign Attestation for DSC Online Registration:

It is crucial to submit an authorisation document along with the applicable corporate seal and signature.

An apostille is issued by the foreign national on public notarisation. The native country consulates if it is not a part of the Hague convention.

DSC Signature Certificate Renewal

When an organisation's Digital Signature Certificate expires or if the organisation should apply for DSC Signature Certificate renewal , it must submit a request for renewal or update to Barrister Babu. Our experts will process the request for DSC Signature Certificate renewal and update you in every step of the DSC renewal process.