Organization Validation (OV) is a mid-level SSL Certificate validation process that verifies not only domain ownership but also the legitimacy of the business or organization requesting the Certificate.
Unlike Domain Validation (DV) SSL Certificates, which only confirm domain control, OV SSL Certificates require additional verification to ensure that the entity behind the website is a legally registered organization.
The validation process involves checking government business records, confirming the organization’s physical address, and verifying a working telephone number. These extra steps provide a higher level of trust for website visitors and are particularly useful for businesses that want to reassure customers that they are legitimate.
Once issued, an OV SSL Certificate enables HTTPS encryption, ensuring that data transferred between the website and its visitors is secure. Additionally, website users can view verified organization details in the Certificate, offering an added layer of credibility.
How Does OV Validation Work?
To obtain an OV SSL Certificate, the business or organization requesting it must go through a verification process conducted by the Certificate Authority (CA).
First, the CA confirms that the applicant has control over the domain. This is usually done through e-mail verification, DNS record verification, or file-based verification - similar to the process for DV SSL Certificates.
Next, the CA checks official business registration records to ensure the company is legally recognized. This may involve verifying details in government databases or requesting business documents such as incorporation papers or a business license.
The organization’s physical address and telephone number must also be validated. The CA will confirm that the provided address matches publicly available records and may call the business using an independently verified phone number to complete the verification.
Because of these additional checks, OV SSL Certificates take longer to issue than DV SSL Certificates. While a DV SSL Certificate can be issued within minutes, an OV SSL Certificate typically takes a few hours to a couple of days, depending on how quickly the business verification can be completed.
CNAME or TXT Record Verification Method
Another method is DNS record verification, where we provide a unique code that must be added to the domain DNS records. Once we detect the correct record, domain ownership is confirmed. This method is useful for those who do not have access to an allowed e-mail addresses or prefer a more technical approach.
After placing the SSL Certificate order, you may have the option to validate domain ownership using CNAME records instead of the standard e-mail approval method.
To check availability and to switch to CNAME validation, simply log into our SSL Certificate Tracking & Management Tool 🔗after submitting your order, change the validation preference from Approver E-Mail to CNAME.
This alternative validation method requires you to create a specific CNAME record in your domain's DNS settings, which will verify your control over the domain and allow the certificate issuance process to proceed.
File Based Verification
File-based verification requires the domain owner to upload a verification file to a specific directory on the website’s server. The CA will then check for the presence of this file to confirm ownership. This method is often used by web administrators who have direct control over their website’s files.
Why Is OV Validation Needed?
OV validation is important because it adds an extra layer of trust by verifying that a website is operated by a legitimate organization.
While DV SSL Certificates provide encryption, they do not offer any assurance about who is behind the website. This means a malicious actor could obtain a DV SSL Certificate for a fraudulent website, creating a false sense of security. OV SSL Certificates reduce this risk by requiring verification of the organization’s identity before issuance.
Websites that handle sensitive customer information, such as login credentials, e-mail addresses, and payment details, benefit from OV SSL Certificates because they provide authentication in addition to encryption.
Users can check the SSL Certificate details to see the verified business name, which helps them trust that they are dealing with a legitimate company rather than a potential scam.
Additionally, OV SSL Certificates help businesses comply with industry security standards. Some government and corporate networks require websites to have at least an OV SSL Certificate to be considered trustworthy. By choosing OV validation, businesses can meet these security requirements while improving their reputation online.
Who Should Use OV SSL Certificates?
OV SSL Certificates are best suited for businesses, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and government entities that want to establish trust with their website visitors.
They are particularly useful for e-commerce websites, financial services, healthcare providers, and any online platform that collects user data. Unlike DV SSL Certificates, which are commonly used for personal websites and small blogs, OV SSL Certificates provide additional verification that can help reassure customers and clients.
For organizations that require an even higher level of trust and visibility, an Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificate may be a better option. However, for businesses that need strong encryption and verified identity without the more rigorous EV validation process, OV SSL Certificates provide an excellent balance of security, trust, and efficiency.
