Organization Validated (OV) SSL Certificates: Business Identity Verification

Organization Validated (OV) SSL certificates represent the middle ground in the SSL certificate hierarchy, offering a balance between the accessibility of Domain Validated certificates and the rigorous vetting of Extended Validation certificates. These certificates go beyond simple domain ownership verification to validate the actual organization behind the website, providing visitors with additional assurance about who they're interacting with online. For established businesses seeking to build trust while avoiding the complexity and cost of EV certificates, OV certificates offer an attractive compromise that enhances credibility without breaking the bank.

The fundamental difference between OV and DV certificates lies in the human element of the validation process. While DV certificates rely entirely on automated verification, OV certificates require Certificate Authorities to perform manual checks to verify the organization's legal existence, physical presence, and operational status. This additional scrutiny provides website visitors with confidence that a legitimate, verified business entity stands behind the website, not just someone who happens to control the domain name.