This article will cover what information is required when you purchase a SSL certificate, certain details are required to verify your domain ownership as well as, in some cases, your business identity. This verification process is handled by the Certificate Authority (CA) and ensures that SSL certificates are issued only to legitimate website owners and organisations.
The information you need to provide depends on the type of SSL certificate you choose: Domain Validated (DV), Organisation Validated (OV), or Extended Validation (EV). DV certificates require minimal verification, while OV and EV certificates involve additional checks to confirm your company’s legal and operational details.
This guide outlines the information you’ll need to supply when ordering an SSL certificate through your Domains.co.za account. It helps you prepare in advance to avoid delays in the validation and issuance process.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Information that is Required to Purchase a SSL Certificate
To successfully obtain an SSL certificate, you must provide the following details during the order and validation process:
- Certificate Signing Request (CSR): A CSR is a cryptographic file generated on your server that contains your public key and the domain name you wish to secure. The CSR is required by the Certificate Authority to create your SSL certificate and must exactly match the domain, including wildcard formatting if you are securing subdomains.
- Administrative Contact Information: The administrative contact is the authorised individual responsible for approving the SSL certificate request. This person will receive verification emails from the Certificate Authority and must confirm ownership or authority over the domain and organisation.
- Technical Contact Information: The technical contact is the person or team responsible for managing the hosting environment and SSL installation. This contact might be contacted if technical verification or installation assistance is required during the certificate issuance process.
- Company Details: For business-level SSL certificates, you must provide accurate company information, including your registered business name, physical address, and country of operation. These details are validated against official records to confirm your organisation’s legitimacy.
- Company Registration Documentation: Organisation Validated (OV) and Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates require supporting documentation to confirm your business registration.
NOTE:
The specific documentation required depends on the SSL certificate you are purchasing. If you are unsure which documents apply, contact support@domains.co.za for guidance.
Additional Information
- Domain Validated (DV) SSL certificates only require proof of domain ownership; they do not include business verification, so they are the fastest and simplest option for personal websites, blogs, portfolios, and small business sites that don’t handle sensitive data.
- Organisation Validated (OV) SSL certificates verify both domain ownership and company identity, adding an extra layer of trust for visitors and providing a professional assurance for business websites and service platforms.
- Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates follow the strictest validation process, including legal, physical, and operational verification. These are recommended for websites where trust, credibility, and fraud prevention are critical, such as ecommerce stores, financial platforms, and membership portals.
- Any inconsistencies between the CSR details, company information, and official registration documents can delay SSL issuance, so it is important to ensure that all submitted information is accurate and updated.
- Verification emails from the Certificate Authority must be approved promptly, as delays in confirmation can cause the SSL order to remain pending or even expire before issuance.
- Preparing all required information in advance, including CSR, contacts, and business documents, helps speed up the SSL validation process and ensures your website remains secure without interruption.
Login to Domains.co.za Account
1. Go to the Domains.co.za website Account Login page.
2. Enter your Email and Password and click the Sign In button.
3. You will see the Domains.co.za Dashboard, displaying the Manage Account menu on the left and your Account Information, Account Overview and Open Support Tickets on the right.
