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Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates

Extended Validation SSL certificates (EV certificates) are the market's highest security SSL/TLS solution. They link your organisation with your domain name for maximum customer confidence, as your Certificate Authority of choice will run an in-depth validation for business assurance.

Certificates

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PositiveSSL EV

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Secure Business Pro Multi-Domain

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EV SSL

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True BusinessID with Extended Validation

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Web Server EV Certificate

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Basic EV Flexi

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What is an EV SSL?

The Extended Validation (EV) SSL/TLS Digital Certificate

An Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificate is a TLS/SSL certificate that verifies the certificate holder's authenticity and legitimacy through rigorous vetting and identity background checks. It ensures the highest level of trust by completing a 16-point check, confirming details such as website domain, owner, and legal, physical, and operational existence. An EV certificate is crucial for high-profile brands, banks, and Fortune 500 companies, assuring website authenticity and security.

Why consider an EV SSL Certificate?

As phishing attempts seriously threaten legitimate online services, ensuring website authenticity is paramount. Phishers now exploit DV certificates, often obtained from free SSL services lacking robust phishing checks, to deceive users into divulging sensitive information. To counter this growing concern, verified identities online are imperative. EV SSL addresses this by prominently displaying the site operator's verified identity directly within the Certificate and Site Seal, giving visitors confidence in conducting secure online transactions.

How Does EV SSL Compare to Other SSL Certificates?

a gray shield showing a globe network icon with WWW in the middle

Domain Validated (DV) Certificates:

These are the most basic type of SSL certificates. They only require verification of your domain name, making them quick and easy to obtain. DV certificates provide basic encryption and are suitable for small websites or personal blogs where trust and identity verification are not critical.

a blue shield show a seal and tick in middle

Organisation Validated (OV) Certificates:

OV certificates require verification of your organisation's identity, providing a higher level of trust than DV certificates. The Certificate Authority (CA) checks the legitimacy of your organisation, ensuring it is a registered entity. OV certificates are ideal for businesses that want to assure visitors of their legitimacy without undergoing the more rigorous EV process.

a green shield showing a seal and tick in middle

Extended Validation (EV) Certificates:

EV certificates offer the highest level of SSL certificate validation. They require a thorough validation process, including verification of your organisation's identity, physical address, and phone number. EV certificates provide the most robust security and trust indicators, such as displaying your organisation's name in the browser's address bar. They are essential for high-profile websites, financial institutions, e-commerce platforms, or any other type of enterprise where trust and security are paramount.

A Comodo EV SSL certificate, for example, offers significant benefits such as a free TrustLogo and visible company details displayed in the certificate, which enhance customer confidence and security when visiting your website. Below are some examples of the Site Seals available with different EV Certificates:

DigiCert Site Seal
GeoTrust Site Seal
InstantSSL Site Seal
Sectigo Site Seal
Thawte Site Seal

Features of an EV SSL?

Secure Business, Verified Brand, Visitor Trust

EV Certificates include standard features that come with most products we sell. At the same time, you may choose additional benefits to increase your security and brand authenticity further.

Advanced Encryption and Signature Feature

Our SSL Certificates boast 256-bit encryption as standard, with Business Certificates offering additional features. These include large Private Keys in Root and Intermediate Certificates and larger signatures in leaf certificates, including 512 and 384-bit options. Additionally, they support ECC (Elliptical Curve Cryptography) keys for faster and enhanced security.

Enhanced Security through Key Duplication

Enhance security using different Private Keys when installing your certificate across multiple servers and platforms. This practice ensures separation between services in the event of a breach. Several of our Business Certificates allow the issuance of duplicate Certificates using multiple CSRs and Private Keys.

Trust-Building Features

Extended validation certificates provide the highest trust level for business websites by displaying the organisation's name in the SSL Certificate and Site Seal. These indicators confirm that a registered and legal entity operates the website, instilling confidence in visitors regarding its legitimacy.

Optimised Browser and Device Support

Ensuring maximum compatibility across major browsers and devices is crucial in today's dynamic encryption and online security landscape. Our SSL Certificates guarantee seamless visitor connectivity, offering robust platform security and peace of mind.

Unlimited Server Licensing

While installing a digital certificate on a single server is straightforward, the ability to install it on multiple servers is essential. This allows securing all services with one certificate, resulting in significant time and cost savings. Additionally, EV Multi-Domain SSL certificates can secure up to 250 different domains and subdomains with a single certificate, providing an added level of trust and authentication by displaying verified company details in browsers.

Extended Warranty Protection

Business SSL certificates typically provide more robust warranties compared to domain-validated SSLs. They offer higher financial compensation in case of security breaches, ensuring enhanced protection for businesses and their customers.

Do you need to secure unlimted sub-domains? Check out our Wildcard SSL

Authenticity in your Business

Business Extended Validation Requirements

To acquire an EV (Extended Validation) Certificate, adherence to industry standards and verification of specific documents are essential prerequisites. If your organisation is well-established and visible online, you should find it a straightforward process.

Organisation Verification and Legal Standing

The Certificate Authority (CA) validates your organisation's legal entity status, cross-checking with the country's registration agency and scrutinising blacklists and bankruptcy records to ensure your organisation is in good standing.

Authorised Personnel

You'll designate organisation contacts and approvers authorised to issue Certificates. These individuals undergo verification and approval to ensure their legitimacy.

Physical Presence

Your organisation must have an active presence at its registered address. Ensure your organisation's details are updated on online business directories like DUNS for verification.

Telephone Authentication

Verify an active telephone listing through an acceptable online business directory and phone call, displaying consistent business name and address information provided.

Agreement Signing

The designated organisation contact must sign the EV agreement before issuance of the certificate.

5 Steps

The Extended Validation Process

Obtaining and installing an Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificate involves a rigorous validation process that provides the highest level of trust and security for your website. Here's an overview of the key steps, from verification to installation:

Choose a Certificate Authority (CA) 1.
Begin by selecting a reputable Certificate Authority (CA) that offers EV SSL certificates. Look for trusted CAs with a solid reputation for security and support, such as Comodo, GeoTrust, or DigiCert. At SSLTrust, we work with these industry-leading CAs to offer the most secure SSL/TLS certificates.
Prepare Your Documentation 2.
To meet the stringent validation requirements, gather all necessary documentation, including your business registration details, physical address, and phone number verification. This step ensures that all information is accurate and up to date for submission to the CA.
Submit Your Application 3.
Submit your application, along with all required documentation, to the CA. This initiates the validation process, which ensures your organisation is thoroughly vetted.
The Verification Process 4.
The CA will conduct a thorough investigation into your organisation's legitimacy. The verification includes several stages:
  • Organisation Verification: The CA confirms your organisation's identity by checking official records and verifying that it is a legitimate entity.
  • Domain Verification: The CA verifies that your organisation owns the domain name, ensuring you have control over it.
  • Physical Address Verification: The CA confirms that your organisation operates from a legitimate business location by verifying official records and business directories.
  • Phone Number Verification: The CA verifies that your organisation's phone number is valid and often makes a phone call to confirm its legitimacy.
  • Business Registration Verification: The CA checks your official business registration records to ensure your organisation is legally registered.
Certificate Issuance 5.
Once all the verification steps are successfully completed, the CA issues your EV SSL certificate. This certificate verifies that your organisation has met the highest standards of security and trust.
Certificate Installation 6.
After receiving your EV SSL certificate, follow these steps to install it on your server:
  • Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR): Create a CSR on the server where the certificate will be installed, containing your organisation and domain details.
  • Install the Certificate: Once you receive the EV SSL certificate from the CA, install it on your server according to your server's documentation.
  • Test the Certificate: After installation, ensure that the certificate works correctly by testing it. Verify that your website is secure and that the EV indicators, such as the organisation's name in the browser's address bar, are visible.

What our Customers say...

Our commitment lies in consistently providing outstanding customer service, ensuring that every interaction exceeds expectations and delivers the highest quality experience to our valued customers.

Stefan Fritz.

5 out of 5 stars

Great support! Quick response, friendly and helpful.
Shawn Wang.

5 out of 5 stars

Amazing service and very wonderful experience with SSLCertificate team!

Our EV SSL Experts are Ready to Help

Don't hesitate to contact us for any inquiries about EV Certificates. Reach out via email, live chat, or a quick phone call for comprehensive support. We're always here to assist you!

  • Photo of Jeremy Schatten

    Jeremy Schatten

    SSL/TLS Platform Expert

    Jeremy is our expert when it comes to installing any SSL Certificate and configuring a system to best security practices.

  • Photo of Hollie Acres

    Hollie Acres

    SSLTrust Account Manager

    Hollie has been part of the SSLTrust team since it was established. She is a qualified Mechanical Engineering and IT professional.

Frequently asked questions