Digital Signature Certificate Issued by CA

Author: Abovethefoldwriter Mumbai

A Digital Signature Certificate is like your handwritten signature but it is more secure being a product of cryptographical technology. It is issued by a Licensed Certifying Authority (CA) is licensed by the CCA, or controller of certifying authority in India. It is a legal tender under the IT ACT or information technology act 2006 and includes information like mobile numbers and PAN numbers in encrypted form.

A digital signature is used for digitally signing documents online for documents and messages to be sent by electronic messaging systems.. Class 3 DSC is now used for all purposes, including MCA21 e-Filing, e-invoicing, Income Tax e-Filing, General Sales Tax or GST, EPFO, TRACES, CERSAI 2.0, e-tenders & e-procurement, etc.

Different types of DSC or certified digital signatures are used for signing tenders and for DGFT purposes as well. For bulk signing, a document signer is required. These DSC are available for a fee and are issued by CAs and their authorized partners.

While individual DSC is available for Rs.999 those for DGFT and organizations are priced higher. DGFT certificate costs Rs.3499 while that for organizations costs around Rs.1999. The prices may vary depending on the purpose. These certificates have to be renewed every year.

Applying for DSC

The documents required for Indian Nationals are:

  • Aadhar Card
  • Passport
  • PAN Card
  • Driving Licence
  • Post Office ID Card
  • Photo ID card issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs or State Governments
  • Address Proof
  • Aadhar Card
  • Telephone Bill
  • Voter ID Card
  • Driving Licence Water Bill – Not older than 2 months
  • Electricity Bill
  • Latest Bank Statements not older than 2 Months
  • GST registration certificate
  • Property Tax or Corporation or Municipal Corporation Receipt
  • Any Government-issued photo ID having a Name and address
  • Documents Required for Indian Organization

Company

  • Copy of Organizational PAN Card, In absence of GST number
  • Copy of Recent Bank Statement / Bank Certificate,
  • Copy of Incorporation
  • Proof of Authorized Signatory – List of Directors / Board Resolution / Resolution
  • Authorized Signatory ID Proof – Organizational ID Card / PAN Card / etc
  • Copy of Applicant PAN Card

Partnership Firm

  • Copy of Organizational PAN Card
  • Copy of Recent Bank Statement / Bank Certificate
  • Copy of Partnership deed containing a list of Partners / Authorization Letter
  • Authorized Signatory ID Proof – Organizational ID Card / PAN Card / etc
  • Copy of Applicant PAN Card

Proprietorship

  • Copy of Recent Bank Statement / Bank Certificate,
  • Copy of Business Registration Certificate – Shop and Establishment (S&E) /etc
  • Authorized Signatory ID Proof – Organizational ID Card or PAN Card
  • Copy of Applicant PAN Card
  • AOP / BOI – An association of persons or a body of individuals
  • Copy of Organizational PAN Card, If GST number is not provided
  • Copy of Recent Bank Statement / Bank Certificate, If GST number is not provided
  • Copy of Incorporation, If GST number is not provided
  • Proof of Authorized Signatory – List of Directors / Board Resolution / Resolution
  • Authorized Signatory ID Proof – Organizational ID Card / PAN Card / etc
  • Copy of Applicant PAN Card
  • Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
  • Copy of Organizational PAN Card, If GST number is not provided
  • Copy of Recent Bank Statement / Bank Certificate, If GST number is not provided
  • Copy of Incorporation, If GST number is not provided
  • Proof of Authorized Signatory – List of Directors / Board Resolution / Resolution
  • Authorized Signatory ID Proof – Organizational ID Card / PAN Card / etc
  • Copy of Applicant PAN Card

NGO/Trust

  • Copy of Organizational PAN Card
  • Copy of Recent Bank Statement / Bank Certificate
  • Copy of IncorporationProof of Authorized Signatory – List of Directors or Board Resolution or Resolution
  • Authorized Signatory ID Proof – Organizational ID Card / PAN Card / etc
  • Copy of Applicant PAN Card

Documents Required for Foreign Nationals

  • Identity Proof
  • Attested copy of Applicant's Passport
  • If the applicant is out of a foreign country- An attested copy of VISA
  • If the applicant is in India – An attested copy of the Resident Permit certificate
  • Address Proof
  • The following documents are mandatory for getting the DSC
  • Attested copy of Applicant's Passport
  • Attested copy of any other Government issued Address Proof

Documents Required for Foreign Organization

  • Identity Proof (All are mandatory)
  • Address Proof (All are mandatory)
  • Attested copy of Applicant's 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)
  • Attested copy of Applicant's Passport
  • Attested copy of any other Government issued Address Proof
  • Foreign Attestation

The identity and address proof of foreign nationals must be attested by the following authorities:

  • Embassy of Native Country (If the applicant is not a citizen of India)
  • Apostilized by Native Country, after Public Notary (if the country is in Hague Convention)
  • Consularized by Native Country, after Public Notary (if the country is not in Hague Convention)

General Instructions

Follow the general instructions listed below while furnishing the digital signature application form:

  • The signature of the applicant should be in Blue Ink only
  • The signature of the applicant should be as it is in Identity Proof
  • A photo of the applicant in the application form should be signed by the applicant
  • All supporting documents should be attested by either of Gazetted Officer / Bank Manager / Post Master
  • For proof of attesting officer, either one of the below is mandatory –
  • Contact Details of Attesting Officer including the name, designation, office address, and contact number. This should be part of the attestation. If provided separately, it should be attested either by the Applicant or Attesting Officer; or
  • Self-Attested copy of the Organizational Identity card of Attesting Officer
  • Organizational Documents can also be attested by Authorized Signatory. However, if the taxpayer fails to get the Organizational Documents attested by the authorized signatory, in such cases an attested copy of the organizational ID card of the authorized signatory is mandatory.

For Indian Nationals and organizations, most of the documents are not required if GST Number is submitted.

In India, the