Private limited company registration
Incorporate a private limited company with a distinct legal identity and room to raise funds.
Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
Get a DSC to sign and file returns, company forms and tenders online.
About Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is the electronic equivalent of your signature. It is issued by a licensed certifying authority after your identity is verified, and it lets you sign documents and forms online in a way that is legally valid under the Information Technology Act, 2000. The certificate is normally stored on a USB token and protected by a password.
In practice you need it to file many returns and forms. Companies and LLPs sign their MCA filings with a DSC, directors and partners use it for registrations, and it is used on the income tax and GST portals where a return or report must be signed digitally. It is also required for online government tenders. Class 3 is the class commonly accepted for these purposes. A DSC is valid for a fixed period of 1, 2 or 3 years and must be renewed before it expires.
Who needs it
- Directors of companies and partners of LLPs
- Authorised signatories who file GST and income tax returns for a company or firm
- Professionals who sign reports and returns online
- Businesses bidding in online government tenders
- Anyone whose renewal is due, so filings are not stopped on the due date
Documents required
For an individual DSC
- PAN card
- Aadhaar card, with the mobile number linked, as eKYC with OTP is commonly used
- Passport-size photograph
- Active email ID and mobile number
For an organisation DSC (signatory of a company, firm or LLP)
- All the individual documents above for the signatory
- Proof of the organisation: certificate of incorporation, GST certificate, partnership deed or LLP agreement
- Authorisation letter or board resolution naming the signatory
- PAN of the organisation
USB token
- A USB token is needed to hold the certificate. It is often supplied with a new DSC, and an existing compatible token can sometimes be reused
For renewal
- Details of the existing DSC and the token
- Latest identity and organisation documents
Exact requirements can vary with your case and the authority. We confirm the final list when you contact us, so you collect everything once.
Where a DSC is commonly used
- MCA filings and incorporation forms for companies and LLPs
- Signing returns and reports on the income tax portal where a digital signature is required
- GST registration and returns for companies and LLPs
- Online government tenders and e-procurement
- Signing PDF documents so they are legally valid
How we do it
- Choose the typeWe confirm the class, the validity (1, 2 or 3 years) and whether you need an individual or an organisation DSC.
- Share your documentsYou send the documents above and we check them for completeness.
- Identity verificationThe certifying authority verifies you, usually by video verification or Aadhaar OTP.
- Certificate issuedThe DSC is issued and loaded on your USB token, and the token is set up on your computer.
- Registered on the portalWe help you register the DSC on the portal you need, such as MCA, GST or income tax, and test a signature.
Time it takes
Usually the same day to 2 working days once identity verification is complete.
Frequently asked questions
Which class of DSC do I need?
Class 3 is the class commonly accepted on government portals for filings and tenders. We tell you what fits your use before you apply.
Can one DSC be used on every portal?
Often the same certificate works, but it has to be registered in your profile on each portal separately. An organisation DSC is tied to that organisation.
What happens when my DSC expires?
You cannot sign filings with it. Renew before the expiry date. We note the expiry on your compliance calendar so a renewal is never missed.
What if my token is lost or the password is forgotten?
Contact us and the certifying authority. A lost token usually means the certificate is cancelled and a new one issued.
What does a DSC cost?
The cost depends on the class, the validity and whether you need a new token. We share the amount before you apply.
Related services
LLP registration
Incorporate a Limited Liability Partnership with limited liability and a flexible structure.
ROC annual filings for companies and LLPs
Annual returns, financial statements and event-based filings with the Registrar of Companies.
Monthly GST returns
GSTR-1, GSTR-3B and other GST returns prepared and filed before the due date.