Digital Signature Certificate

   (DSC) Digital Signature Certificate :- Online- Process, Fees

Digital Signature Certificate is a secure digital key (USB e-Token) that is issue by the certifying authorities to validate and verify the identity of the person or entity holding this certificate. It uses public-key encryptions to create the signatures and contains the signature in digital format.

A digital signature certificate (DSC) contains information about the user’s name, pin code, country, email address, date of issuance of the certificate, and name of the certifying authority.

             What is DSC(Digital Signature Certificate)?

A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is an encrypted electronic signature that represents a person’s identity. The DSC is issued to individuals by a certifying agency appoint by the Controller of Certification Agencies (CCA). To file various government forms online, such as GST returns, company annual returns, income tax returns, and other statutory forms, individuals need to obtain a Class 3 DSC. Similarly, companies registering on the MCA portal and filing returns or attaching necessary documents are require to include the relevant persons’ DSCs.

                             Classes of Digital Signature Certificate

 There are three types of Digital Signature certificates issue by the certifying authorities:

Class 1 DSC
Class 1 DSC is issued to individual subscribers and is used to confirm that the user’s name and email contact details from the clearly define subject lie within the database of the certifying authority.

Class 2 DSC
Class 2 DSC is issue to the director and signatory authorities of the companies for e-filing with the Registrar of Companies (ROC). Class 2 digital signature is mandatory for individuals who have to sign manual documents while filing returns with the ROC. However, w.e.f. 1st Jan 2021, the Controller of Certifying Authority has instructed to discontinue Class 2 DSC. Class 3 DSC will be issue in place of Class 2 DSC.

Class 3 DSC
Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate is issued to the directors/ authorize signatories of companies, professionals, etc for signing the documents digitally. The vendors who wish to participate in the online tenders also have a Class 3 DSC.

                               Importance of Digital Signature

      When is Digital Signature Require?

• • • Company Incorporation:The Digital Signature Certificate is mandatory for incorporating a Public Limited Company, Private Limited Company, Limited Liability Partnership or One Person Company.
    • Director Identification Number: Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is used while you are applying for DIN number.
    • MCA Compliances: Ministry of Corporate Affairs has made it mandatory for company to file all reports, applications, and forms using a digital signature only. If annual turnover of a business exceeds ?60 Lakhs, it is mandatory to verify returns with DSC.
    • Income Tax Filing: Individuals and entity who are require to get their accounts audit have to file their income tax return compulsorily using a digital signature
    • GST registration/return filing: It is mandatory for business entity (other than Sole Proprietorship) to have Digital Signature Certificate for both GST registration and verifying GST Returns online.
    • Import Export Code: It is mandatory to have DSC while applying for an Import & Export Code.
    • Intellectual Property: Digital Signature Certificate is require for filing of application for Intellectual Property rights like Trademark, Patent, etc.
    • Employee Provident Fund: The register Employers in India use the Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate for submitting their Employee Provident Fund Transfer Claim form online.

    Who requires a Digital Signature Certificate?

MCA has mandate Digital Signatures for following individuals:

1. Directors
2. Auditors
3. Company Secretaries
4. CEOs and CFOs
5. Bank Officials
6. Other Authorized Signatories

Documents required for Digital Signature certificate Online Application

To apply  you will need to provide certain documents and information. The following documents are typically require:

1. Aadhar Card: A copy of your Aadhar Card is need as proof of identity and address. It establishes your identity and verify your residential address.
2. PAN Card: A copy of your PAN (Permanent Account Number) Card is require for identity verification purposes. But It ensures that the DSC application is associate with your tax-related information.
3. Passport Size Photo: You provide a recent passport-sized photograph, which will be affixed to your DSC application form. But The photo  clear and meet the specify requirements.
4. Email Address: You need to provide a valid email address. But This email address  associate with your DSC and used for communication and delivery of the digital certificate.
5. Mobile Number: You are require to provide a valid mobile number. So, This number will be used for verification purposes and receiving any important notifications or OTPs (One-Time Passwords).

                     Cost and Time taken for Issuance of DSC

The cost of obtaining a DSC for individuals is Rs. 1,799 only and the charges for obtaining a DSC for organization for authorize signatory is Rs. 2,500 only.But  It take around 1-2 days for issuance of Digital Signature Certificate.

              Benefits of Private Limited Company Registration

1. Authentication: DSC helps in authenticating the personal information details of the holder when conducting business digital.

2. Reduces Cost and Time: A Digital Signature Certificate holder does not need to be physically present to conduct or authorize a business. But Instead of signing the documents physically and scanning them to send via email, the holder quickly sign the hard copy documents online by using DSC.

3. Authenticity of Documents: Digital sign documents give confidence to the receiver so they are assure of the signer’s authenticity. But They proceed and take action based on such documents without getting worry about the documents forged.

4. Data Integrity: Documents that are sign digital be edit after signing, which makes the data safe and secure. But The government agency ask for DSC to validate business transactions.