Discover the importance of Extended Validation (EV) Certificates in enhancing website security and trust. Learn the key validation requirements for obtaining an EV certificate and the benefits of meeting these standards, including increased credibility and customer engagement. Understand how EV certificates not only secure your site but also boost consumer confidence with visual cues like the green address bar. Ideal for businesses looking to strengthen their online presence and foster a safe browsing environment.

EV validation basics consist of verifying the following:

• Organization legal name and that it is in good standing.
• Exact organization trade name / DBA (Doing Business As) if applicable.
• Who is currently operating the business.
• Address of where the business operates.
• Organization main listed telephone number.
• Who controls the domain(s) listed on the certificate.
• Authenticity of the subscriber agreement.

Tips when providing the organization details for an EV SSL certificate:

• Use the legally registered name of the organization. Do not enter the trade name/DBA (doing business as) as the legal name of the company.
• A trade name can be listed on the certificate with the legal name. The trade name/DBA (doing business as) must be registered in a government agency.
• Use the address where the organization conducts business. Do not use PO Box, mail stop/forwarding, care of, virtual office address or a registered agent address.

You can expect:

• 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.
• Telephone call through the main business phone number to the signer listed on the subscriber agreement to verify the signature, authority to sign, if signer is an employee of the organization and signer’s title.
• An email with any additional actions if required.

Obtaining an Extended Validation Certificate involves several strict requirements. Organizations must undergo a thorough vetting process that includes verifying the legal existence of the entity, its operational presence, and its compliance with industry standards. These guidelines ensure that only trusted entities are granted EV certificates, thereby enriching the web ecosystem.

Adhering to the validation requirements not only fortifies security through an EV certificate but also elevates your organization’s credibility. When consumers see the green address bar or the “Verified” label, they are more likely to engage with the site, thus fostering a secure online environment. For businesses, this translates into increased trust and potentially higher customer conversion rates.