Description
What is a document signer certificate?
A document signer certificate is an organisation-level certificate issued in the name of your company, not an individual. It arrives as a .pfx file installed directly on your server, allowing your software to sign documents automatically without a person or USB token present.
Under Section 3 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, documents signed with a certificate from a CCA-licensed Certifying Authority carry the same legal standing as handwritten signatures.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Certificate class | Class 2 (Organisation) |
| Validity | 2 years |
| Format | .pfx file — no hardware required |
| Encryption | 2048-bit |
| Issued to | Organisation name only (no individual name) |
| Type | Signing, or Signing + Encryption |
| Installation | One server per certificate |
| Compliance | IT Act 2000, CCA-licensed CA |
Document signer vs individual DSC
The distinction that costs businesses money when they get it wrong:
| Individual DSC | Document Signer Certificate | |
|---|---|---|
| Issued to | Named person | Organisation only |
| Delivered as | USB hardware token | .pfx software file |
| Signing | Manual, one at a time | Automated, unlimited |
| Used for | MCA, GST returns, ITR, tenders | Invoices, payslips, statements |
| Price | From ~₹1,000 | ₹15,050 |
You need both. Directors still require individual DSCs for statutory filings, because those demand a named signatory. This certificate handles everything your systems generate.
What you get for ₹15,050 + ₹5,000
Most sellers hand you a .pfx file and disappear. Here is what’s included:
Certificate (₹15,050) — 2-year Class 2 document signer certificate from a CCA-licensed CA, application handled end to end, documentation prepared, video verification coordinated.
Setup & integration (₹5,000) — installation on your server, signing utility configured, API endpoints wired into your application, sandbox testing before production, and handover documentation.
Buying the certificate alone is the cheaper path — and the reason most organisations end up with an unused .pfx file sitting in a folder. Integration is the part that actually produces signed documents.
Where businesses use it
GST e-invoicing — B2C invoices, credit notes and debit notes requiring the entity’s own signature · Payroll — payslips and Form 16 at scale · Financial reporting — statements and audit schedules · Supply chain — delivery challans, purchase orders, QA certificates · Insurance & lending — policies, statements, agreements · Education — certificates and transcripts.
Integration into your software
Signing exposed through REST APIs — any application that can make an HTTP call can integrate.
Supported: .NET, Java, Node.js, PHP, Python ERP: SAP, Oracle, Tally, custom billing systems Capabilities: hash & file signing, visible signature placement, bulk/batch runs, LTV-ready certificates, CRL/OCSP revocation checks, webhooks, complete audit trails
Documents required
- Authorised signatory’s PAN, photograph, email ID and ID proof
- GSTIN with GST verification document
- Company address per GSTIN, plus address proof
- Bank statement
- Company authorisation letter with authoriser’s ID proof
- List of directors
Video verification is mandatory after submission.
FAQs
What is a document signer certificate used for? Automated bulk signing of system-generated documents — invoices, payslips, statements, agreements and reports — directly from your server without manual intervention.
How is it different from a normal digital signature? A document signer certificate is issued in the organisation’s name with no individual named, and comes as a .pfx software file. A normal DSC contains an individual’s name and comes on a USB token.
Do I need a USB token? No. It installs directly on your server as a .pfx file.
How many certificates do I need? One per server. Production, staging and disaster recovery environments each require their own.
What does it cost? ₹15,050 for the 2-year certificate, plus ₹5,000 for utility and API setup on a single server. GST invoice provided.
Can it integrate with Tally or SAP? Yes — through REST APIs, covering packaged ERP and custom .NET, Java or PHP applications.
How long does issuance take? A few working days once documentation is complete and video verification is done.
Is it valid for GST e-invoicing? Yes, for documents requiring the entity’s own signature. The IRP applies its own signature separately when returning the IRN.
What happens when it expires? Signing stops and documents signed after expiry are invalid. There is no grace period — we track renewals for clients.
