Organization validation (ov) ssl certificate validation guide
Organization Validation (OV) SSL Certificate Validation Guide
An Organization Validation (OV) SSL certificate provides a higher level of trust than Domain Validation (DV) by verifying the legal existence of the organization behind a website or service. Before issuing an OV certificate, Certificate Authorities (CAs) such as DigiCert validate both domain control and organizational identity.
This guide explains the OV SSL certificate validation process, required documentation, timelines, and best practices to avoid delays.
What Is an Organization Validation (OV) SSL Certificate?
An OV SSL certificate confirms:
- Control of the domain
- Verified legal existence of the organization
Unlike Extended Validation (EV) certificates, OV certificates do not require a live verification callback and involve fewer checks. This makes OV certificates faster to issue while still providing organizational trust.
OV certificates are commonly used by:
- SaaS companies
- Corporate websites
- APIs and internal services
- Customer portals
Step 1: Verify Legal Existence of the Organization
The Certificate Authority must confirm that your organization is legally registered and active.
What is verified
- Legal organization name
- Registration or incorporation number
- Jurisdiction
- Active registration status
Accepted verification sources
- Government business registries
- Chambers of commerce
- Trusted commercial databases
Documents that may be requested
- Articles of Incorporation
- Certificate of Formation
- Business registry extract
Important: The organization name used in the certificate request must exactly match the official legal record.
Step 2: Verify Physical Address
OV SSL validation requires a verifiable physical address for the organization.
Address requirements
- Must be a real street address
- PO boxes are not accepted
- Must match public or trusted records
If the address cannot be verified automatically, the CA may request supporting documentation such as utility bills or lease agreements.
Step 3: Domain Control Validation (DCV)
As with all publicly trusted SSL certificates, domain ownership must be proven.
Common DCV methods
- DNS TXT record
- HTTP file upload
- Email challenge (admin@, hostmaster@, webmaster@)
This step is typically automated and completes quickly.
Step 4: Confirm Certificate Requester Authorization
The CA must ensure that the certificate request was made by an authorized individual within the organization.
Accepted requesters
- Company officers
- Directors
- Authorized employees
Unlike EV certificates, OV certificates do not require a verification callback. Authorization is typically confirmed using a corporate email address or internal confirmation.
Step 5: OV SSL Certificate Issuance
Once all validation checks are complete, the OV SSL certificate is issued.
Typical timelines
- First-time OV certificate: 1 to 3 business days
- OV certificate renewals: same day to 1 business day
Changes to the organization name or address may trigger revalidation.
OV vs EV SSL Certificates
| Feature | OV SSL | EV SSL |
|---|---|---|
| Domain validation | Yes | Yes |
| Organization validation | Yes | Yes |
| Phone number verification | No | Yes |
| Verification callback | No | Yes |
| Issuance speed | Fast | Slower |
| Trust level | Medium to High | Highest |
Common Causes of OV SSL Validation Delays
- Organization not listed in trusted databases
- Legal name mismatches
- Address inconsistencies
- Domain validation not completed
Best Practices for Faster OV Certificate Issuance
- Use the exact registered legal organization name
- Keep address records up to date
- Define authorized certificate requesters in advance
- Track certificate validation status and expiration dates centrally
For teams managing multiple OV certificates across domains and environments, tools like CertificateManager.net help centralize certificate inventory, track validation status, and prevent unexpected expirations.
Final Thoughts
The OV SSL certificate validation process offers a strong balance between trust and speed, making it ideal for most business websites and SaaS platforms. Understanding how organization validation works helps reduce delays and ensures certificates are issued smoothly.
For growing teams and enterprises, maintaining visibility and control over SSL certificate lifecycles is essential for security and availability.