Organization Validated (OV) SSL Certificates

Organization Validated certificates add a layer of identity verification beyond domain control. Certificate authorities issuing OV certificates verify the legal existence of the organization, its physical address, and phone number. They also confirm that the person requesting the certificate has authorization to act on behalf of the organization. This validation process typically requires human review of documentation, extending the issuance time to several business days.

The additional validation in OV certificates provides users with more confidence about the website's operator. When users click on the padlock icon and examine certificate details, they can see verified information about the organization behind the website. This transparency helps users make informed decisions about trusting the site with sensitive information. The verification process also creates a paper trail that can be valuable in case of disputes or security incidents.

OV certificates suit organizations that need to establish trust beyond basic encryption. Corporate websites, business applications, and customer portals benefit from the additional credibility that OV certificates provide. While they don't offer the visual prominence of Extended Validation certificates, they strike a balance between cost, issuance time, and trust establishment. Many businesses consider OV certificates the sweet spot for public-facing applications that handle user data.

The validation process for OV certificates involves submitting business documentation such as articles of incorporation, business licenses, or utility bills to verify the organization's physical address. Certificate authorities may also conduct phone calls to verify the organization's phone number and the applicant's authority. This manual process, while more time-consuming than DV validation, provides important safeguards against fraudulent certificate requests.