Required Information for a SSL Certificate

Thawte will need to include your Company's Proof of Identity in SSL server certificates. You may need to fax the following information to Thawte. They will notify you as needed at the email address that you used on the order form.

Thawte will not issue a certificate unless you can prove that you have the right to use a given company name. This is a cautionary measure to prevent impostors from receiving certificates and then pretending to be firms they are not. To receive a Thawte certificate you need to be some sort of recognized business or non-profit entity in your area, and have the documentation to prove it.

Thawte will accept different kinds of documentation from each type of organization as proof of its right to use that organizational name. Your "proof of org name document" needs to be official, and needs to be independently verifiable. For example, if you are claiming to be "XYZ, Inc." then you should produce a certificate of incorporation from your Secretary of State that proves that you have been registered in your state under that name. Please note that a DUNS number is not sufficient as proof or organization, and we will require additional documentation.

Most organizations fall into one of the following categories:

• Companies, Corporations, Incorporations,: Inc, (Pty) Ltd., Plc., B.V., S.A. GmbH, LLC, State issued Trademarks etc
  We will need a copy of your official company registration documents or certificate of incorporation in your state or country. We are very strict about this, and cannot waive these requirements.
    
• Partnerships: LLP
  You should be registered with national, state or local authorities. Please provide us with a copy of some form of verifiable proof of the partnership name.

• Proprietorships, DBA's and Fictitious/Assumed names
  If you are a sole proprietor, DBA ("Doing Business As"), or have an Assumed/Fictitious name, then we will need a copy of your DBA registration papers for local levy's and taxes. Any official correspondence indicating your right to use the name given on your request will generally be sufficient, as long as we can cross-check it with the relevant authority.

• Government Departments
  We require an original signed letter from the Head of that department on the appropriate letterhead, along with contact information for his or her office and immediate superiors.

• NGO's: Non-Government Organizations
  We require an original signed letter from the Chief Executive, Chairman or Managing Director of the NGO, on the appropriate letterhead.

• Universities and University Departments
  We will require an original signed letter from the Dean or Vice-Chancellor responsible for that department. Note that this must be on the appropriate letterhead, accompanied by contact information for the University concerned.

• Special Interest Groups
  Special-interest groups are popping up all over the Internet: The Apache Group, Debian, Linux Groups and others. We will issue such groups with certificates but request that you contact us to discuss verification and authentication.
    
• Private Individuals
  If you want such a certificate but are not registered, incorporated or licensed to do business in your area, then we can issue the certificate to you in your personal capacity. We will include your name as the organization name. Please note that we only do this on rare occasions under special circumstances! In order for us to issue a certificate to you, we will need the following:

1. A photocopy of your passport/identity document, stamped and certified by a relevant authority in the country where you live. The person certifying this documentation needs to provide their name and telephone number for further confirmation if necessary. Please post the original copy to the representative which you have chosen during the application process.
2. A copy of a current bank statement in your name (you may black out your financial details) OR
3. A voided check from your bank account.

Please make sure to send us the correct documentation first time round. This will ensure that your request is verified in good time and your certificate issued timely. In the USA, different states have different systems of corporate registration, and the documentation you choose to send can have a big impact on the time it takes us to process your request.

What if I am different?

If you believe you have a right to use an organizational name but you do not fit into the categories described above, then please contact your nearest Thawte representative office to discuss your situation.