SSL validation methods
SSL validation types
There are three recognized categories of SSL certificate authentication types:
- 1
- Domain Validation (DV)
- 2
- Organization Validation (OV)
- 3
- Extended Validation (EV)
- 1
- Validates control of a domain
- 2
- Enables https and the padlock icon in browsers
- 3
- Issues within minutes
- 1
- Validates control of the domain
- 2
- Enables https and the padlock image
- 3
- Authenticates the legitimacy of an organization, adding a level of trust
- 4
- Shows organization details in the certificate information
- 5
- Issues in 1-3 days
- 1
- Validates control of the domain
- 2
- Enables https and the padlock image
- 3
- Authenticates the legitimacy of an organization, adding an additional level of trust
- 4
- Verifies the applicant has the right to request an EV SSL and is in good standing with the organization
- 5
- Shows organization details in the certificate information
- 6
- Activates the green bar in select web browsers
- 7
- Issues in 1-5 days
- 1
- Complete Domain Control Verification (DCV) to verify the domain(s) are controlled by the organization. This can be completed using 1 of 3 methods: DCV email, CNAME or HTTP(S) challenge.
- 2
- Organization legal name and that it is in good standing.
- 4
- Exact organization tradename / DBA (Doing Business As) if applicable.
- 5
- Who is currently operating the business.
- 6
- Address of where the business operates.
- 7
- Organization main listed telephone number.
- 7
- Who controls the domain(s) listed on the certificate.
- 8
- Authenticity of the subscriber agreement. We'll go over the Single & Multi domain extended validation certificate requests one by one. Wildcard certificates are not available for the extended validation method. In case you know enough and wish to request an EV-certifcate in your Realtime Register account for one of your customers, just click one of the links below and you'll be directed to the relevant KB-article with instructions to request a EV SSL-certificate.
Within these authentication types, there are also unique variations available to customers such as Single domain, Multi domain & Wildcard domain certificates.
When determining which type of SSL is needed for a website, enterprises and individuals should start by choosing the main authentication type that adheres to their requirements. From there, they can opt for a specific package (Single, Multi or Wildcard) to meet their unique needs. Certain variations are better suited for businesses with a single domain vs multiple domains vs a single domain with several subdomains. Learn about each type below to find the most appropriate, cost-effective option. We'll go over the available validation methods one by one.
| Domain Validation certificates |
Organization validation certificates |
Extended validation certificates |
Domain Validation (DV) certificates
Domain validation (DV) SSL-certificates provide the quickest, easiest, and most cost-effective way to receive industry-standard encryption. This validation type requires proof of ownership for the secured domain and is typically issued within minutes. Once installed, DV certificates show trust indicators in browsers like the padlock icon and the string https:// before the website domain. Because the legitimacy of the organization is not vetted, they are not recommended for business websites but are ideal for internal sites, test servers, and test domains.
The value propositions of DV SSL:
| Single domain DV certificate request |
Multi domain DV certificate request |
Wildcard domain DV certificate request |
Organization validation (OV) certificates
Organization validation (OV) SSL-certificates are a step up from DV SSL-certificates. To receive one, an organization must prove it owns the domain it wishes to secure and confirm that it is a legally registered business. These can only be issued to a registered organization and not individuals, making them more suitable for public-facing websites.
The value propositions of OV SSL:
When an Organization Validation SSL certificate is issued, the CA will verify that your organization is a legal, legitimate entity. The CA will issue your digital certificate after verifying your organization through a few steps including confirming your organization’s presence in the registered location, telephone numbers, and domain ownership. In case you know enough and wish to request an OV-certifcate in your Realtime Register account for one of your customers, just click one of the links below and you'll be directed to the relevant KB-article with instructions to request a OV SSL-certificate.
| Single domain OV certificate request |
Multi domain OV certificate request |
Wildcard domain OV certificate request |
Extended validation (EV) certificates
Extended validation (EV) SSL-vertificates provide the highest level of trust and are the industry standard for business websites. In addition to the trust indicators provided by the DV and OV types, EV certificates activate the "green address bar" in select web browsers by displaying the authenticated company name in green adjacent to the web address.
To receive one, website owners must meet the authentication requirements for an OV SSL but also go through a stricter vetting process performed by a human specialist from the CA. Research indicates that consumers who see the green address bar on sites experience greater confidence in the site’s legitimacy and are more likely to engage in online transactions. This type is recommended for all business and enterprise websites, but is especially important for any site that requests personal information from users (eCommerce, financial, legal and otherwise).
The value propositions of EV SSL:
Details that are validated in the EV validation process are;