Organization Validated (OV) SSL certificates provide a higher level of authentication than domain validation (DV) certificates. GeoTrust SSL certificates are issued by DigiCert, a publicly-trusted certificate authority that verifies your organization’s legal identity, physical location, and operational status, giving visitors confidence they’re interacting with a legitimate business.
Best for: Businesses handling customer data, processing transactions, or building brand credibility.
What You’ll Need
Before starting, gather:
- Exact legal business name (as registered with the government)
- Complete physical address matching official records
- Active business telephone number listed in public directories
- Authorized representative contact information
- Domain ownership or administrative access
Common Documents Needed
- Business registration documents (articles of Incorporation, business licenses, or registration certificates)
- Government-issued tax identification numbers
- Dun & Bradstreet DUNS number (highly recommended but not always required)
- Proof of domain ownership / administrative access
Important: Ensure all business information matches exactly across government registrations, WHOIS records, and public directories. Inconsistencies cause delays.
The 5-Step OV Validation Process
As a publicly trusted certificate authority, GeoTrust follows industry-standard validation protocols to verify your organization. The validation process is completed by DigiCert, GeoTrust’s parent organization. Here’s what’s required:
Step 1: Domain Validation
DigiCert verifies you control the domain(s) in your certificate request. GeoTrust SSL certificates support three methods:
- Email validation
- DNS record validation
- File upload validation
For detailed instructions, see: How to Complete DV Validation.
Step 2: Legal Existence Verification
DigiCert confirms your business is properly registered and actively operating. DigiCert verifies through:
- Government databases: DigiCert searches Secretary of State databases (US) or equivalent government registries (international) to verify your legal business name, registration number, business structure, and registered address.
- Official documentation: If online databases don’t have your information, you can provide Articles of Incorporation, Certificate of Formation, or Business License.
- Dun & Bradstreet reports: A comprehensive DUNS Credit Report can verify legal existence, location, and phone information simultaneously.
- Professional Opinion Letters (POLs): A letter from a licensed attorney or CPA can satisfy four of five OV requirements at once.
Step 3: Locality Presence Verification
DigiCert verifies your organization has a presence in the state/country it is registered in.
Note: DigiCert verifies the city, state/province, and country, not the specific street address.
Verification Methods
- Government databases showing the registered location
- Third-party directories (Dun & Bradstreet, Yellow Pages, Google Business)
- Professional opinion letters
Step 4: Telephone Verification
Your business must have a publicly listed phone number that matches your business name and address.
What DigiCert Checks
- Official telephone directories
- Government business databases
- Dun & Bradstreet listings
- Reputable third-party business directories
Important: Unpublished numbers, personal mobile phones, or unlisted VoIP numbers may cause issues.
If your number isn’t publicly listed:
- Get a Dun & Bradstreet listing
- Request a Professional Opinion Letter
- Add your business to Google Business with consistent information
Step 5: Final Verification Callback
DigiCert calls an authorized representative to confirm the certificate request.
How to Prepare for the Call
- Ensure the technical/administrative contact is available during business hours
- Provide clear extension numbers if using a phone system
- Be ready to confirm your legal business name and domains being secured
What Happens During the Call
- The call takes less than 5 minutes
- GeoTrust asks if you requested the SSL certificate
- You verify your company name and domains
Tip: Missed the call? Respond quickly to voicemail or follow-up emails to avoid delays.
After Validation
- GeoTrust issues your certificate (available via email or dashboard)
- Install the certificate on your web server
- Mark your calendar for renewal before expiration
Quick Tips for Faster Validation
- Verify all business information matches across all records before applying
- Have documentation ready before starting
- Respond promptly to any GeoTrust/DigiCert requests
- Consider getting a Dun & Bradstreet listing to streamline verification
- Keep the verification contact available during business hours