DSC Registration

What Is a Digital Signature Certificate Online?

DSC or Digital Signature Certificate is a key which is used for digitally signing the document or filing any record with Government. he Information Technology Act, 2000 has provisions for use of Digital Signatures on the documents submitted in electronic form in order to ensure the security and authenticity of the documents filed electronically. This is secure and authentic way to submit a document electronically. As such, all filings done by the companies/LLPs under MCA21 e-Governance programme are required to be filed using Digital Signatures by the person authorised to sign the documents.

Benefits of a Digital Signature Certificate

Apart from authenticating the certificate holder’s identity, an online digital signature helps in the following ways:

Authentication:
When conducting business online, a DSC helps in authenticating the personal information of the individual holder.

Enhanced security:
The DSC's enhanced security features avoid unauthorized access to your documents and records. No one can forge your signature, tamper with the records, or change the contents of your paper. Your DSC verifies and authenticates the signature.

Reduced cost and time:
Digital signatures ensure a smoother workflow in an organization by limiting the time and cost spent on signing documents and contracts. Documents can be signed by the required persons with a click of a button. This is especially useful when the signer is located in a different area and there is no dependency for him/her to be physically present.

Data integrity:
Digitally signed documents cannot be changed or modified after they have been signed, making the records safe and stable. These certificates are often required by government entities in order to cross-check and validate business transactions.

Types of Digital Signature Certificate

Class 1 DSC:
The Class 1 certificate is issued to businesses, individuals, or private subscribers merely to confirm the user’s name and email id as mentioned in the consumer database. This is just a basic assurance and is usually not considered to be of major significance.

Class 3 DSC:
The Class 3 DSC is now mandated to be used for all types of transactions in India. It is issued to individuals and organizations that want to participate in bidding for government tenders or online tenders and auctions. Sometimes, applicants may be expected to be physically present before their CAs to receive a Class 3 certificate.

Note: The Class 2 DSC has been discontinued as of 1 January 2021. For all purposes including income tax, PF, GST, RoC filings, tenders, and so on, the guidelines state that the Class 3 DSC should be used and the Class 1 DSC will no longer be accepted.

Documents Required For DSC Online Registration

Indians looking to obtain a DSC must submit:

• ID proof: passport/driving license or any photo identity issued by the govt 
•  PAN card 
•  Address proof: Aadhaar card/voter ID/driving license/registration certificate 
•  Attesting officer proof

Indian organizations looking to complete DSC online application must submit:

• Organizational PAN 
•  Partnership deed, if applicable 
•  List of authorized signatories which could be the list of directors, board resolution, etc. 
•  Authorized signatory ID proof 
•  GST certificate

For Indian companies, the documents may differ depending upon the type of entity like a partnership, proprietorship, sole ownership, LLP, etc.

Foreign individuals and organizations looking to complete DSC online application must submit:

• Attested copy of applicant’s passport 
•  Attested copy of visa, if the applicant is out of their native country 
•  Attested copy of resident permit certificate, if the applicant is in India 
•  Attested copy of any govt-issued address proof

Foreign attestation procedure for DSC online registration:

An authorisation letter must be sought with the respective company seal and signature from the.

• Embassy of the native country (If the applicant is out of their native country) 
•  Apostilled by the native country after a public notary (if the country is in the Hague Convention). For example, Austria, Greece, Oman, Australia, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, etc. 
•  Consularized by the native country, after a public notary (if the country is not in the Hague Convention). For example, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, etc.