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Public Key Infrastructure Certificate Authorities (PKI-CA’s) such IdenTrust must follow a strict process validated via the PKI-CA’s audited Certificate Policy (CP) and Certification Practices Statement (CPS). After initial validation of compliance with Adobe’s AATL technical requirements, the CA is added to Adobe’s AATL. Once in the AATL, any signatures applied with certificates that trace back to their root will be automatically trusted in Adobe products.

 

AATL, short for Adobe Approved Trusted List, is a program that allows users to create digital signatures that are trusted instantly whenever the signed document is opened in Adobe® Acrobat® or Reader® software. IdenTrust is a member of AATL  via the commercial public trust root.

Yes - Microsoft® does not have a built-in user interface for a Timestamping Authority, but the IdenTrust TSA can be manually configured. You may view our PDF document How Do I Apply IdenTrust Timestamping Authority (TSA) to Microsoft® Office (MS-Office) Digitally Signed Documents to learn more. 

IdenTrust does undergo an SSAE-18 SOC 2 Type II audit every year. However, since the detailed information in the audit report is company-confidential, we require an NDA to be in place.

An alternative that does not require an NDA:
As a Certificate Authority, IdenTrust undergoes a WebTrust for Certificate Authorities audit, and the attestation letter for this audit is publicly available without the need for an NDA. The WebTrust for CA audit examines not only the same general information security practices as the SOC 2 criteria does, but also certificate life cycle practices including proper handling of applicant information. The link for the WebTrust for CA audit is at the bottom of our home page. You may also be interested in examining our Privacy Policy.

Yes you can purchase a FATCA certificate without having a GIIN.   If you do have a GIIN number, IdenTrust may use it to facilitate the approval process for your certificate. 

Digital certificates retrieved into a browser, also known as software storage certificates, are intended to be used mainly from a single computer. As no additional device is required, software storage certificates are relatively inexpensive.

Digital certificates retrieved into a portable hardware device such as USB token or Smart card, not only can be used from multiple computers, but also offer additional security via the built-in second factor authentication feature. Certificates stored in hardware devices can also be configured for Client Authentication for faster secure login sessions.

The decision to opt for a software storage or a hardware storage certificate is mainly predefined by the sponsoring organization (business); at an individual level, the applicant should weigh-in if the additional security and portability benefits are worth the hardware expense. 

Note: Be sure to check with your relying party or program to determine if it requires a specific type of storage:

  • Software
  • USB token
  • Smart card 

Browser compatibility will depend on the type of certificate and the operating system you are using.

Microsoft® Windows® OS

Software Certficates Microsoft® Edge Google® Chrome Mozilla® Firefox Android® OS
Certificates can be retrieved using these browsers X X X  
Certificates can be imported to these browsers X X X X

 

Hardware Certificates Microsoft® Edge Google® Chrome Mozilla® Firefox Android® OS
Certificates can be retrieved using these browsers X X X  
Certificates can be imported using these browsers X X X  

 

 

Apple® Mac® OS

Software Certificates Google® Chrome Mozilla® Firefox Apple® Safari iOS (iPhone/iPad)
Certificates can be retrieved using these browsers X X X  
Certificates can be imported using these browsers Accessible Via Keychain X Accessible Via Keychain X

 

Hardware Certificates Google® Chrome Mozilla® Firefox Apple® Safari iOS (iPhone/iPad)
Certificates can be retrieved using these browsers X X X  
Certificates can be imported using these browsers Accessible Via Keychain X Accessible Via Keychain  

 

TLS/SSL Certificates Are Interoperable With:
  • Apple® Safari (for OSX and iOS)
  • Blackberry®
  • Google® Chrome (for Windows®, Apple®, OSX®, and Android®)
  • IBM®
  • Microsoft® Edge
  • Mozilla® Firefox (in Windows®, Apple®, OSX®, and Linux® Environments)
  • Oracle® Java

A digital certificate is a form of ID, just like a Driver’s License or Passport. We need to verify your identity before we can approve your application and issue your certificate. 

 

Here is a list of what you will need to provide: 


An official Photo ID: Driver’s license or State ID Card 
A Credit Card: In your name for address verification (not necessarily for payment) 
Personal Information: Your FULL name (no nicknames or abbreviations), home address, and Social Security Number 
Payment Information: Credit Card number or Payment Voucher number

 

If you are requesting a certificate that asserts affiliation with an organization, you will also need to submit forms that demonstrate that your organization is authorizing you to obtain a certificate that includes the organization name.

Your digital certificate will display several pieces of information:

 

  •  It will be signed by the private key of the issuing CA
  •  Unique identifier (distinguished name) of the certificate issuer
  •  Period of time for which certificate is valid (validity period)
  •  Unique identifier (distinguished name) of the certified subject
  •  Public key of the certified subject
  •  The issuer's signature

Different certificate types may also normally contain items such as:

 

  •  Email address
  •  Company name

 

Please note that the certificate will NEVER contain or display your personal information. The information that we collect during the application process is only used to validate your identity. 

 

You can also view your certificate in your browser.  The following is an example of what your certificate looks like in Microsoft® Edge:

 

Image removed.

 

Account Password

 

The Account Password is created by you when the application is filled out online. This password is required to download your certificate and to access your account via the Certificate Management Center (CMC).

 

Within the CMC you can:

 

  • Revoke your certificate
  • Replace your certificate
  • Renew your certificate
  • Update your account information
  • Update Account Password & security questions

 

The rules for creating your Account Password are:

 

  • Account Password must be between 8-30 characters in length
  • It can consist of letters, numbers and some special characters
  • Cannot contain ( ) \ / " *.
  • The Account Password is case sensitive (UPPER & lower case)


Certificate Password

 

The Certificate Password is created to protect the use of the certificate. Depending on the assurance level of your certificate, when your certificate is downloaded to your machine you may be prompted to create the private key password. This is referred to as the Certificate Password

 

The Certificate Password is used each time the certificate is accessed:

 

  • Signing emails
  • Signing documents (Adobe, Word, Excel, etc..)
  • Accessing a secure website

 

When creating your Certificate Password we recommend you use the following guidelines:

 

  • Between 8-30 characters
  • At least 1 lower case letter
  • At least 1 upper case letter
  • At least 1 special characters
  • Create a Certificate Password that is not easily guessed, but something that you will not forget

Adobe Approved Trusted List or AATL, is a program that enables people to sign documents in Adobe Document Cloud solutions and have that signature trusted globally. When a document is signed with an AATL-approved certificate, the recipient of the signed document will be able to trust the certificate* automatically and avoid the time-consuming process of manually downloading the certificate root chain locally required to authenticate the signature.

In short, AATL certificates allow anyone to validate a digital signature, on any device, at any time!

IdenTrust CA is a current AATL Member and authorized to issue AATL-enabled certificates.

AATL certificates must be issued on password protected devices that are FIPS 142-2 L2+ compliant, such as HID Global USB tokens and HID Global Smart cards. This requirement facilitates two-factor authentication (2FA) and also provides additional security, as the certificate private key cannot be exported from the hardware device; thereby eliminating the potential of key compromise by bad actors. Due to this requirement, only hardware certificates which are stored on a token or smartcard, are included on the AATL.

 

Software Certificates, that are stored directly on the computer itself, do not meet the requirements for inclusion on the AATL.

 

*AATL signatures are only auto-trusted when using other Adobe products. Should the recipient use another product, they will need to follow the manual process to trust the signature.

Your private key (which is sometimes password protected in your web browser) is literally the key that opens your digital certificate.  It allows you to digitally sign documents and decrypt information that was only meant for you.  You should safeguard your private key just as you would any other form of identification. Just as you would not allow someone else to sign your name to something, or to use your social security number, you would not allow others to use your digital certificate.

A digital certificate provides an electronic means of proving your identity in order to securely conduct business online. You can use certificates to: 

 

  1. Encrypt information so that only the intended recipient can read it;
  2. Identify yourself in electronic transactions; 
  3. Digitally sign information to provide assurance to the recipient that it has not been changed in transit; and 
  4. Verify that you actually sent the transmission. 
     

Our Certificate Selection Wizard will assist you in choosing the best certificate to meet your needs.

 

There are three general types of digital certificates--Individual Identity, Business Identity, and TLS/SSL Certificates:

  • Individual Identity certificates authenticate an individual and are used to digitally sign and encrypt electronic documents.
  • Business Identity certificates authenticate the individual to be an employee of a business and are also used to digitally sign and encrypt electronic documents.
  • TLS/SSL, or Server certificates are issued for Web servers and are used to authenticate servers to Web browsers. This is used to protect information such as credit card numbers and account information on the Web.

 

The type of certificate may also dictate whether or not the certificate is stored in software or a hardware device, such as a Smart card or USB token.

 

See our document using the IdenTrust Certificate Selection Wizard for more information about choosing your certificate.

Certificates are stored on cryptographic hardware devices for additional security and as an option to use them from multiple computers. 

For AATL Enabled certificates TrustID Medium Assurance | Business Identity | Hardware Storage | Trusted By Adobe® and TrustID Medium Assurance | Individual Identity | Hardware Storage | Trusted By Adobe®, Adobe®'s technical requirements specify that the issuing Certification Authority must generate them is cryptographic devices with at least FIPS 140-2 Level 2 security. This security feature disable exportation and duplication of the private keys. For this purpose, IdenTrust supports only HID smart cards and HID USB Tokens compliant with the AATL requirement.  

IdenTrust holds applicants' personal information in the strictest confidence. In compliance with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (GLBA), we do not share personal information with outside third parties. 

IdenTrust hardware-based Digital Certificates (both ECA and IGC) used to encrypt e-mail satisfy the DoD CMMC requirements.

DoD CMMC require use of FIPS-validated cryptography to protect sensitive information in an e-mail. IdenTrust Digital Certificates used to encrypt e-mail are generated and stored in FIPS-validated cryptographic modules.

Browser-based certificates do not meet this requirement.

You will be provided with a retrieval kit and instructions for using our online website to retrieve your certificate, found HERE. You will need to provide the Account Password that you chose when you applied for your certificate. 

As a security measure, your activation code is valid for only one use.  If your computer has had hardware or software problems and your certificate has been lost or corrupted, you will need to replace your certificate. If you wish to use your certificate on another computer, you will need to export your existing certificate to that computer.

 

Visit our How Do I library for information about how to replace or export your certificate.

Installation instructions will vary depending the OS that is used.  Please visit our How Do I library for detailed instructions for installing your server certificate and the associated root chain.

To ensure there is no confusion about this: a key recovery, when initiated by the end-user, is a process where your previous signing certificate is revoked, new keys for it are created, and a new signing certificate is created (with the same information and expiration as before). It also allows for the same/original encryption certificate and keys to be retrieved again.

 

This process is normally only needed if your current certificate keys are currently unusable for some reason (deleted, forgotten private key password, etc.).

 

A key recovery can only be performed where IdenTrust stores a copy of (or escrows) the encryption certificate private key. (Please note that we NEVER have a copy of your signing-certificate private key). In some cases, depending on the type of certificate, we cannot recover your encryption keys.

 

For accounts where we do not escrow the encryption private key, or accounts that do not have encryption capability, a key recovery is not an option; however, you may be able to initiate a certificate replacement instead.  Visit our How Do I library to learn more about certificate replacement.

 

To Initiate a Key Recovery:

If your organization has set up a "Certificate Coordinator" or "Local Registration Agent" with us, you can contact them to initiate the key recovery. Otherwise, please follow these steps to initiate the key recovery: 

 

  1. Access the Certificate Management Center. If you are prompted to choose a certificate to log in, click Cancel.

  2. Enter your account number and your account password.

      -  The account number was sent to you in a physical letter after your account was approved.
      -  The account password is the one that you provided online when you applied for your certificate.

  3. In the section showing your Valid Certificates make sure your current encryption certificate is selected.

  4. In the drop-down box under Valid Certificates, select I would like to request recovery of my certificate

  5. Click the Continue button.

  6. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the key recovery request.

 

Note: This request needs to be processed and approved by a member of our Registration department. A new notification with new retrieval information will need to be sent before your new certificate can be retrieved.

You will be asked whether you want to change your Account Password during the renewal process. Please be aware that this is not the same as the Certificate Password you use with your digital certificate (although you may have chosen the same code for both Account Password and Certificate Password).  Unless you are confident that you will remember a new Account Password, we suggest that you do not change it. As a reminder, changing the Account Password will not change the Certificate Password you use with your certificate. 

 

Learn more about the differences between Account and Certificate passwords

ECA (DOD), IGC and TrustID certificates cannot be renewed after they expire. If your certificate has expired, you will need to apply for a new certificate. 

 

Once we receive your renewal request, our Registration team will review and determine if new forms are required. If no additional documents are needed your request will be approved and you will receive an email notification with instructions to retrieve the renewed certificate.

If new forms or other supporting documentation is needed to approve the request you will be notified by email. Your renewal request will be processed once the documentation is provided. to you. 

If you are having trouble logging in to the Certificate Management Center (CMC), make sure that your browser is not blocking pop-ups for this site. If you are unable to login because you have forgotten your Account Password, you have the option to reset your password via the CMC. This option is available by clicking the link I forgot my account password in the CMC login page. Once you have reset your account password you should be able to access the CMC.

If you have received a request to submit new notarized forms it is because your name, your company name, the company headquarters address, or your email address has changed and we need your application forms to match your certificate application.  Please submit the forms as soon as possible as not to delay your certificate renewal. 

In order to renew your certificate before it expires, if you have a software certificate you must be on the computer where your certificate is currently stored.  If your certificate is stored in a Smart Card or USB Token you must have the device attached to the computer that has the Smart Card or USB Token software .  When you login to the Certificate Management Center, a window will appear with your name in it. You must highlight your name and click "OK". If your name is not in the box, it means that your certificate is not on the computer you are using. Other suggestions:

 

  • If your certificate is on another computer, please renew it from that computer. 
  • If your certificate is no longer on any computer, you will need to replace your certificate first and then renew it. 

 

For additional information about managing your certificate, visit our How Do I library.

You can renew a certificate within 90 days from expiration. The IdenTrust system will automatically notify you by email at 90, 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day intervals prior to your certificate expiration date. If you have not received renewal notification emails and you are within 90 days of expiration, please access the Certificate Management Center (CMC) and perform the following steps:

 

1.  Using your certificate, sign into the CMC

2.  Locate the label For this Certificate, Would You Like to:

3.  In the corresponding drop down menu, select Renew Your Certificate and click Continue.

4. Follow the instructions provided to renew your certificate. 

 

Please note that if you are planning to pay with a purchase order, you should obtain a voucher number for renewal prior to initiating your renewal.  You can purchase vouchers by selecting from one of the following voucher product links below:

  Purchase IGC Prescribing | Vouchers

  Purchase IGC Agencies | Vouchers

  Purchase TrustID | Vouchers

 

Depending on the type of certificate you purchased and the validity period you selected, your certificate will expire one, two or three years after it was issued.  You can check the expiration date of your certificate by logging into the Certificate Management Center.  Once you have logged in, locate your certificate listed under the Manage Your Certificates heading. Your certificate, along with the current status and expiration (“valid through”) date is displayed.

 

You will also receive email notifications at 90, 60, 30, 15, 7 and 1 day(s) prior to your certificate expiration. 

The application requires that multiple verification steps be completed before it can be approved. Because of this, the approval process cannot be expedited. 
You do have the option to request expedited shipping of the activation kit once the application has been approved. You may select expedited shipping during the application process, or you may contact our Support team at (888) 339-8904 to request and pay for expedited shipping with either a FedEx account number, or your credit card. 

Please note: Once your application is approved, it will take up to 24 business hours for the activation kit to ship. 

Yes. After you have submitted a purchase order, IdenTrust will provide Voucher Numbers that you can distribute to applicant(s).  These vouchers are used during the application process as the method of payment.

 

The purchase order process requires that you also submit a completed voucher form. 

 

 

Purchase order requests under $500 cannot be accepted.

 

Please fax purchase orders for digital certificates and/or hardware to 1 (801) 415-7083.

You may check the status of your order by logging into your account with your application ID and account password. 
To check your status, click here: Application Status

Certificates are processed in the order each request is submitted, and the required paperwork is received. If during the validation phase IdenTrust requires additional information, the process may take longer. 

Any hardware requested will be shipped to the mailing address on the application once the application has been approved. Unless expedited shipping was purchased, the package will deliver 3-5 days after shipping.

Unfortunately, no. Each certificate must be applied for individually by the person who needs it. 

When applying for a certificate, our Certificate Selection Wizard will assist you in choosing the best certificate to meet your needs.

When IdenTrust is verifying your identity, certain ID information is required such as the driver's license, social security card, or other details. If we are unable to verify those details, you will be asked via email to submit notarized documentation supporting what is listed on your application. Without this information, we cannot approve your certificate application.

 

Please have a copy of the document(s) notarized and mail to: 

 

 IdenTrust Registration
 5225 Wiley Post Way, Ste 450
 Salt Lake City, UT 84116 

Sometimes the required ID fields are missing details, such as the legal name, issue/expire date or document title. A copy of your ID is needed to confirm the missing details and to authenticate your identity.  If the details cannot be authenticated, a new Part 2 form will be requested.



If the serial/unique number is missing from the field, a new Part 2 form must be completed and sent in for processing. The original or notarized copy of the original document(s) should be sent to:



 IdenTrust Registration
 5225 Wiley Post Way, Ste 450
 Salt Lake City, UT 84116 

Address and phone verification are a necessary part of the identity verification required to obtain a digital certificate. If you receive an email requesting documentation, be sure to send either the original, or a notarized copy of the document.



Accepted documents are:

 

  • Driver's license or state ID
  • Utility bill dated in the last 30 days
  • Phone bill dated in the last 30 days
  • Rental agreement
  • Other documents can be reviewed on a case by case basis.


Please mail the original or notarized copy of the confirming document to:


 IdenTrust Registration
 5225 Wiley Post Way, Ste 450
 Salt Lake City, UT 84116


Please contact [email protected] for more information on the document you would like to submit. 

Digital certificates retrieved into a browser, also known as software certificates, are intended to be used mainly from a single computer. As no additional device is required, software certificates are relatively inexpensive.

Digital certificates retrieved into a portable hardware device such as USB token or Smart card, not only can be used from multiple computers, but also offer additional security via the built-in second factor authentication feature. Certificates stored in hardware devices can also be configured for Client Authentication for faster secure login sessions.

The decision to opt for a software or a hardware certificate is mainly predefined by the sponsoring organization (business); at an individual level, the applicant should weigh-in if the additional security and portability benefits are worth the hardware expense. 

Note: Be sure to check with your relying party or program to determine if it requires a specific type of storage:

  • Software
  • USB token
  • Smart card 

The FATCA program does not provide guidance on the FQDN you should use; therefore you may choose any Fully Qualified Domain name.  However, IdenTrust requires that the FQDN is owned or controlled by your organization and that is not an internal name. You can choose a subdomain name from a domain name you own/control. For example, if you own the domain name “mydomain.com”, you could choose “fatca.mydomain.com”.

You must not use an internal name such as: myorganization.internal, myorganization.localhost, or myorganization.example. 

To maintain the integrity of the information provided to IdenTrust, we are unable to make any alterations to the details entered during the online registration process.  If you do find a mistake that must be corrected, please cancel the application and submit a new application for processing. New paperwork (if required for the certificate type) must match the details of the new application you submit.

 

You may contact our Support team at 1 (888) 248-4447 to request the application be cancelled. 

Once your application has been approved the information cannot be updated in your certificate.  However, certain information provided during your initial application can be updated via our Certificate Management Center.  Some information can be updated immediately, while others will have to wait for the renewal process. Some changes will require you submit a new certificate application.  A few examples of changes include:

 

My mailing address has changed.

You can update the mailing address on your account at any time through the Certificate Management Center.

  1. In the section titled 'Manage Your Account Information', select 'View/Update Account Information'.
  2. Make the needed changes and select 'Finish'.

 

My headquarters address has changed, or my company's name has changed.

Unfortunately, you are unable to make changes regarding your organization name and/or address.  A new application will have to be submitted with the new organization information.

If you use the certificate to gain access to a federal or state agency, you may have to re-register with the new company information prior to being able to use the new certificate. Please contact the appropriate agency for further clarification.


My email address has changed. 

You will have the option to change the email address associated with your certificate during the renewal process. It cannot be changed prior to a renewal.

 

My name has changed.

You will be asked to confirm your name during the renewal process, at which time you can update to your current legal name.  You may be asked to send in proof of the name change if our Registration Department is unable to verify it.

  • Marriage Certificate
  • Divorce Decree (1st, last and page showing the name change)
  • Other court-issued documentation

 

If you require a certificate with your new name, you will need to purchase a new certificate.
 

You may access your account through the Certificate Management Center by logging in with your certificate. 

A voucher is an alpha numeric sequence that is provided by IdenTrust as an alternative payment method to a credit card. You will provide the voucher number during the online registration as a method of payment.


You can obtain a voucher number from IdenTrust using a purchase order or paying with a credit card.

 

Purchase ECA | Vouchers

Purchase IGC Standard | Vouchers

Purchase IGC Prescribing | Vouchers

Purchase IGC Agencies | Vouchers

Purchase IGC Notaries | Vouchers

Purchase TrustID Vouchers

The application process for a digital certificate is generally a 4-step process.

1.  Apply for Your Certificate
 

  • Use the My Buying Community menu or the Certificates menu to select the category that is most comparable to your situation.  Here you can learn more about the types of certificates that are offered under these programs. 
  • Once you are ready to initiate a purchase, you can select any BUY button to launch our Certificate Selection Wizard.  The wizard will assist you in selecting the certificate that is appropriate to your situation. 
  • Verify your selections in your "shopping cart" and submit using the BUY NOW button.
  • You will be directed to the "checkout" process where you will provide your personal information and provide payment information.

Note: You will also be asked to enter a Password when you apply. Please record this Password and store it in a secure place. You will need this Password to retrieve your digital certificate.

Notary Form: In addition to the online application, some certificate applications require that you complete a notary form and submit it to IdenTrust.  If required, the form will be provided for you to download at the end of the online application process.

2.  Certificate Application Processing

Your application will undergo the approval process which can include authenticating identity information, authenticating paperwork, verifying organization information, and verifying organization affiliation.

3.  Receive Your Approval Notification

Once approved, you will receive notification from IdenTrust.  The method will vary based on the type of certificate you have purchased:

  • Notification with with the activation code will be emailed to the verified email listed during registration.
  • In cases where you have purchased a hardware device for certificate storage, such as a Smart Card, USB token, then you will also receive a kit containing the purchased hardware and software.

4. Retrieve Your Certificate:

Follow the instructions in the approval notification, which will include:

  • Retrieval and installation of your certificate via the secure IdenTrust website.
  • Installation of storage hardware and software, if applicable.
  • Testing your certificate.

You may select the appropriate required forms packet in our Document Library.


Please be sure to select the correct forms packet. If you are unsure, please contact our Support team at [email protected] for assistance.

As required by the governing certificate policy, you may be asked to provide additional documentation needed to process your application. If necessary, this additional document request will be sent via email. Please read the full email to identify what document is being requested and follow the steps outlined to provide requested documentation.
 

When applying for a digital certificate, you will be asked to select your payment method. You will have the following options for payment: 


Credit Card 
 
You will be asked to enter your credit card information during the online application process. 
Make sure that you have the correct billing address for your credit card; this will be entered during the online payment process. 
 

Voucher Number 

 

  • Voucher numbers are issued by IdenTrust to allow the purchase of a single digital certificate with each voucher number. These voucher numbers are used as the form of payment during the online application. 
  • You can order a set of voucher numbers to distribute to employees within your organization or to business partners. 
  • Voucher numbers are issued to specify the purchase of a particular certificate type, and are valid for one year. 
  • Voucher numbers may be purchased with a credit card or a Purchase Order. If using a Purchase Order, the minimum order requirement is $500 and the following applies:

             - IdenTrust must receive your Purchase Order before the issuance of voucher numbers.

             - Purchase Orders must include a completed Voucher Order Form with the order.

             - Requests must be submitted to IdenTrust Registration at [email protected] or fax to 1 (801) 415-7083.

 

To purchase using a credit card, simply select from the list of products below and you will be directed to our online purchasing system:

 

  Purchase ECA Vouchers

  Purchase IGC for EPCS Vouchers

  Purchase IGC for Digital Signing and Sealing Vouchers

  Purchase TrustID Vouchers

When applying for a certificate where you are asked to list an Organization, you should identify exactly which Organization you need to enter.
Usually the Organization you list when applying is the Organization you work for, but there are scenarios where you may need to consider something else. If you are a contractor applying for the certificate needed for another company, you may need to list that Organization instead of your own. Be sure to check with your organization if you are unsure what you should list on your application.

Order Numbers are a good solution for organizations that would like to purchase a large quantity of certificates, but do not want to have to manage multiple voucher numbers. 

When an Order Number is requested and approved, the organization's Order Number administrator will receive the Order Number as well as a custom URL which can then be distributed to those who need to obtain the digital certificate. 

 

To request an Order Number, please send an email to <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> and provide the following:

  • Which certificate you would like to order
  • For hardware-based certificates, if you would like the USB token or a Smart card
  • How many certificates are needed
  • With which program do you plan to use the certificate

IdenTrust is required by policy to verify the details listed in your application including the organization name, address, city, state, zip code as well as to independently verify a phone number registered to the organization. We attempt to verify this information using trusted third-party databases that contain corporate information. However, if detail cannot be verified, we will send an email requesting additional documentation.


Why can't you just look up the address or phone number online?

The policy requires that IdenTrust use trusted databases that contain the organization information to be verified. IdenTrust uses multiple data-sources that have been pre-approved and cannot use corporate websites or other websites that have not been approved.

 

What forms of documentation can I provide to confirm my organization's identity or phone number?

Registration documents from a secretary of state or other government registry are accepted.

 

Government issued documents that attest to the organization's legal existence, certificate of good-standing, or other approved documents attesting to the organization's existence are also accepted.

 

Please provide the original document or a notarized copy of the original. This is to ensure authenticity of the document and that there is no indication of forgery, fraud, tampering, etc.

 

Send the original or notarized copy of the original document(s) to:

   IdenTrust Registration
   5225 Wiley Post Way, Ste 450
   Salt Lake City, UT 84116 

Certificates are processed in the order each request is submitted, and any required paperwork is received.

A Non-U.S. applicant is anyone residing and/or working outside of the United States. Non-U.S. applicants are eligible to apply for the following certificate types:

View our Supported Countries list.

IdenTrust begins processing the application for a certificate as soon as the form of payment (credit card or voucher number) is provided. As soon as your application has been approved, IdenTrust will process the credit card or voucher number charge. Once processed, no refunds will be provided by IdenTrust.  If your application has not been approved, you may cancel it without the credit card or voucher number being billed.

In most cases, the personal information included in your certificate is your name and your email address. The only time you can change this information is when you renew your certificate.  If any of the person information that is included in your certificate has changed (or will change soon), you can update the information while renewing; however, if you need to update this information and your certificate is not eligible for renewal (within 90 days of expiration), you will need to apply for a new certificate.   Information that is not included in your certificate can be updated at any time via the Certificate Management Center (CMC).

 

Find more information about managing your certificate in our How Do I library.

 

The International Data Exchange Service (IDES) is an electronic delivery point where Financial Institutions (FI) and Host Country Tax Authorities (HCTA) can transmit and exchange FATCA data with the United States.

When purchasing a FATCA certificate to interact with the IRS, you do not need to provide the private key to IDES.

You can determine whether your certificate needs to be replaced by trying to export the certificate. The instructions for exporting your certificate may vary based on the browser that you use.  Locate the export instructions for your browser in our How Do I library.  If you are able to export your certificate, then there is no need to replace it.  If you cannot locate your certificate or you cannot successfully export it, then you will need to obtain a replacement certificate.  Instructions for certificate replacement are also available in the How Do I library. 

 

It is important to remember that your digital certificate is a credential that is similar to a driver's license or passport, and that when information contained in your certificate changes, you may need to obtain a new updated credential (certificate).  The information contained in your certificate is stored and managed in your IdenTrust account along with other non-certificate related information, which means that some information in your account can be updated and some information is not updatable without renewing or purchase a new certificate. 

 

You can manage your account information via the Certificate Management Center (CMC).  You will use your certificate or your account number and account password to access the CMC. 

 

1.  After logging into the CMC locate the drop down box next to the prompt For Your Account, Would You Like to:

 

2.  Select Update Your Account Information.

 

3.  Click Continue.

 

4.  Based on the type of certificate there are different options for updates.  Follow the instructions to make allowable updates.

 

If the information that you need to change is not updateable, you will need to purchase a new certificate.

Please visit our How Do I for detailed instructions to replace your certificate.

If at any time IdenTrust has been made aware of or has a belief that a certificate/private key has been compromised, we are required by all governing certificate policies to protect the integrity of the certificate by executing a revocation. Once a compromise is identified, IdenTrust must perform a revocation within a specific timeframe as defined by the governing certificate policy. 

 

Examples where revocation is required include:

 

  • Evidence that the certificate owner is not the individual who completed the certificate application, but is calling in for technical support. This situation is typically identified when the caller is the account owner, but they cannot answer questions about information contained in the application.
  • Someone other than the certificate holder is calling in for assistance with installation of the certificate and has access to the password and activation code.
  • You are no longer employed by the organization named in your certificate.

Certain pieces of information provided during your initial application may change during the certificate's lifetime. Some of these pieces of information can be updated immediately, others will have to wait for the renewal process and some changes will require you submit a new application.  Examples of common changes include:

 

My mailing address has changed.

You can update the mailing address on your account at any time by logging into the Certificate Management Center (CMC).

Once you  have access the CMC, locate the prompt labeled Manage Your Account Information and select View/Update Account Information. Make the necessary changes and select Finish.

 

My headquarters address has changed, or my company's name has changed.

Unfortunately, you are unable to make changes regarding your organization name and/or address. This is because organization information is included in your certificate and can only be used in conjunction with conducting business on behalf of that specific organization.  In order to update an organization, you must obtain a new certificate.  Be aware that if you currently use your certificate to gain access to a federal or state agency, you may also need to re-register with the new company information prior to being able to use the new certificate with the agency system.  We suggest that you contact the appropriate agency for further clarification.

 

My email address has changed.

You will have the option to change the email address associated with your certificate during the renewal process. It cannot be changed prior to a renewal.  If you must have your current email included in your certificate, you will need to purchase a new certificate.

 

My name has changed.

You cannot change your name except at when you renew your certificate.  During the renewal process , you will be asked to confirm your name.  At that time you can update to your current legal name, which will be included in your new certificate . If the IdenTrust Registration Department is unable to verify the requested changes, you may be asked to send in proof of the name change by providing additional documentation such as:

  • Marriage Certificate
  • Divorce Decree (1st, last and page showing the name change)
  • Other court-issued documentation

If you must have a certificate that includes your new name prior to certificate renewal, you will need to purchase a new certificate.

Revocation is the action of making your certificate unusable. This is necessary when you believe that your certificate/private key has been compromised. Revocation prevents anyone from using your certificate to create digital signatures or from accessing secure sites.  It is your obligation, based on the Subscriber Agreement you accepted, to request that your certificate be revoked in the case that you believe it has been compromised. Use the following procedure to revoke your certificate: 

 

Visit our How Do I library for instructions to replace your certificate.

 

Visit our Document Library to view Subscriber Agreements for each certificate policy type.

While IdenTrust will make every attempt to verify any name discrepancies between IDs due to marriage, divorce or other, there are instances where names cannot be verified.  When this occurs, our Registration Department will reach out to you and request that you provide a notarized copy of the document confirming the name change. Examples of documents accepted include:

 

  • Marriage Certificate or License
  • Divorce Decree (1st, last and page showing reinstating of name)
  • Court-issued documentation

 

Please send the notarized copy of the name-changing document to: 

 

      IdenTrust Registration
      5225 Wiley Post Way, Ste 450
      Salt Lake City, UT 84116 

You create the certificate in a browser on your computer when you retrieved it. It can only be used on that computer (in that browser) unless you export it to another computer (or browser).  If you have retrieved your certificate on one computer and would like to use it on another computer (or browser) as well, you will need to export the certificate and then import it to the other computer or browser.

 

Visit our How Do I library to learn more about how to import and export your certificate.

Your digital signature can be imported to Office 365 easily, following these instructions:

For Office 365 subscriber, and on build 16.19.18110915 and higher,

If you don't see the Sign / Encrypt Message button, you might not have a digital ID configured to digitally sign messages and you need to do the following to install a digital signature.

  • On the File menu, click Options > Trust Center.
  • Under Microsoft Outlook Trust Center, click Trust Center Settings > Email Security
  • Click Import/Export to import a digital ID from a file on your computer,
  • If you have both a signing and an encryption certificate you will import both.

A digital signature on an e-mail message helps the recipient verify that you are the authentic sender and not an impostor. To use digital signatures, both the sender and recipient must have a mail application that supports the S/MIME standard. Outlook supports the S/MIME standard.

 

If you are an Office 365 subscriber, and on build 16.19.18110402 and higher,


In an email message, choose Options, select both the Sign and Encrypt buttons. Pick the encryption option that has the restrictions you'd like to enforce, such as Do Not Forward or Encrypt-Only.

Note: Office 365 Message Encryption is part of the O365 E3 license. Additionally, the Encrypt-Only feature (the option under the Encrypt button) is only enabled for subscribers (Office ProPlus users) that also use Exchange Online.

You should not use your personal email in the FATCA certificate. You should provide a business email during the application. Ideally, you will provide a generic email that is associated with the organization. 

 

Example of emails that will not be accepted include: [email protected], [email protected]

 

Example of acceptable emails include: [email protected], [email protected]

 

Visit our FATCA IRS Reporting pages for additional information.

If your certificate is stored on a Smart Card or Token, install the software you received with your hardware on the new computer, reboot your machine, and insert the Smart Card or Token. Your certificate is now ready for use on the new machine.

 

If your certificate is stored in your browser, then depending on the browser that you use, the process of importing and exporting your certificate may vary.  Please see our How Do I section to view the instructions that apply to your situation.

 

If you no longer have access to your digital certificate, please visit our Certificate Management Center, where you can request a replacement for your certificate.  If you need further instructions for replacement, see our How Do I library, where you can find additional information.

 

The best way to protect your identity, as a certificate holder, is to ensure that only you are using your digital certificate. Allowing others to use your certificate through sharing your password, Smart card or USB token password, or your private key weakens the security of the system and presents a security danger to you. A digital certificate is a credential, just like a driver's license or passport, which you would not allow others to share. Certificate holders found to have shared this confidential information will be notified that their certificates are subject to revocation.

Most PDF documents that you will receive will come pre-made with a signing box. If this is the case, follow these directions:

 

1.  Complete any required fields that are in the PDF document.

 

2.  When you are ready to digitally sign, simply click on the signing box.

 

3.  This will open the signing documents window where you can select the certificate you wish to use to sign the PDF document.

 

     Note:  If you have more than one certificate, you can select the one you wish to use by clicking on the Sign As dropdown box. 

 

4.  Once you have selected the certificate you will use to sign the PDF document, select Sign.

 

5.  The Save As dialogue box will appear.

 

6.  Select the location you would like to save the signed PDF document, then click Save. 

 

7.  Your digital signature has now been applied.  

 

Visit our How Do I pages to learn more about digital signing and how to create a signing box in a pdf document.

 
  

If you have an IGC or TrustID certificate that you cannot use, you may need to replace the certificate. Visit our How Do I library for instructions to replace your certificate.

 

If you cannot access your account with us because you have forgotten your IdenTrust Account passphrase, you can reset your password thru the Certificate Management Center. You do not need to replace the certificate in this case. 

 

If you have a DOD ECA s-Certificate or t-Certificate, a key recovery will need to be done. These certificates cannot be replaced.   Visit our How Do I library for instructions to request a Key Recovery.

You will create your account password when you register for an IdenTrust certificate.  You will also use your account password when you retrieve your approved certificate.  When selecting your account password, be aware that it:

 

  • Must be between 8 – 30 characters in length
  • May consist of letters, numbers, and any special characters except ( ) \ / “ *
  • Is case-sensitive (UPPER CASE and lower case letters are not the same thing)
  • Should be something that you will be able to remember, but that others will find difficult to guess 

 

Please note that your account password is different than your certificate password (although you may wish to choose a password that is the same for both).  Your certificate password is used only when you use your certificate for signing or to access a secure site. 

 

For reasons of security and non-repudiation, no person or equipment has access to your unencrypted account password, so there is no mechanism for IdenTrust to look up your account password if you forget it. However, you do have the option to reset you account password through our Certificate Management Center.  You will need to have your IdenTrust account number in order to complete these instructions.  Your account number was provided to you when you were approved for your certificate.

 

1.  Access the Certificate Management Center (CMC).

 

2.  Click LOGIN to launch the CMC session. 

 

3.  When presented with the Choose a digital certificate dialog screen, click Cancel. This will allow you proceed by using your account information.

 

4.  On the Certificate Management Center Login screen, enter your account number, and then choose the I forgot my password link.

 

5.  You will receive a confirmation screen, indicating that the password assistance instructions have been sent to you email address.

 

6. Follow the instructions provided in the email to allow you to reset your account password. Please note that if you cannot remember the answers to your secret questions, you will need to apply for a new certificate.

IdenTrust never has access to your CryptoAPI Private Key (certificate) password, so we are unable to help you retrieve it if it is lost or forgotten. If you forget this password, you will not be able to use your current certificate and will need to replace it. This process will take approximately 3-5 business days, and will be done without charge to you.

 

For more information about replacing a certificate, please see our How Do I library for instructions to replace your certificate.

 

The Master Password or certificate password is the password that protects your certificate. IdenTrust never has access to your master/certificate password, so we are unable to help you retrieve this password if it is lost or forgotten. If you forget this password, you will not be able to use your current certificate (if it is password protected) and will need to replace your certificate. This process will take approximately 3-5 business days, and will be done without charge to you.

For more information about replacing a certificate, please see our How Do I library.

If you have used the IdenTrust Certificate Selection to make your buying decision, it is unlikely that you have purchased the wrong type of certificate; however, if you have concerns about this, please feel free to contact our Customer Support team and they can help to assess the product you have selected. Please have your IdenTrust Account Number readily available when you call. View our Contact Us page to see our Customer Support hours and phone numbers.

This is the certificate password that you create during the retrieval process to protect your certificate, and will be used each time you use or export your certificate.   The CryptoAPI Private Key password is stored in the browser within your computer and IdenTrust never has access to it. It allows you to encrypt and decrypt data and to authenticate transactions using your digital certificate.

 

We recommend that your certificate password be at least 6 characters in length and it may be as long as 30 characters. It can consist of letters, numbers, and special characters. The certificate password is case-sensitive (UPPER CASE and lower case letters are not the same thing). To protect your certificate, we recommend that you do not check the Remember password box.

 

There are multiple passwords associated with your account and hardware. Please note IdenTrust does not have access to view, confirm or reset your passwords. 

 

Account Password

This password is created during the online application.  You do have the ability to update your password if you can correctly answer the three security questions you chose when you applied for your certificate.  Every account has an account password, but your account can be associated with multiple certificates.


USB Token and Smart Card Password

This password is created when you initially setup your token. Before the retrieval of your certificate, you are prompted by the token software to create password that will protect your token. This password can only be changed if you know the current passcode. Both the USB and the OTP tokens have a token passcode. 

Browser compatibility will depend on the type of certificate you are using:

Image removed.

Visit our How Do I pages for specific information about exporting and importing your digital certificate using a particular browser. 

This message showing as warning upon opening digitally signed PDF documents usually means that the policy asserted in at least one of the digital certificates present in the PDF, is not in Adobe’s Approved Trusted List, referred as AATL Enabled certificate.

This message DOES NOT mean that the certificate is invalid, unless it is truly expired, suspended or revoked. The real status of the certificate is confirmed by double-clicking on each digital signature present in the opened PDF document.

A temporary way to resolve this issue is to ‘trust’ the certificate in the device used to open the PDF document. See “Trust Manager” in the ‘Preferences“ section of Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader. This temporary solution has to be repeated once on each device where a signed PDF is opened.

A permanent way to avoid that warning message is purchasing an IdenTrust AATL Enabled Digital Certificate

AATL Enabled certificates are issued directly on Smart  Cards or USB tokens compliant with FIPS 140-2 L2+ standard like HID Global USB tokens or HID Global Smart Cards. This requirement facilitates two-factor authentication (2FA) and also provides additional security, as the certificate private key cannot be exported from the hardware device, thereby eliminating the potential of key compromise by bad actors.

If the certificate used to sign the PDF document is AATL enabled and the “invalid signature”  message is present, the AATL list in that device has to be updated: Adobe Reader/Adobe Acrobat: Preferences, Trust Manager, click on [Update Now] in the “Automatic Adobe Approved Trusted List (AATL) section.“

Microsoft® announced that it will no longer support the Internet Explorer version 11 (IE 11) after June 15, 2022. This means that security patches and other updates from Microsoft will cease after that time, and in some versions of Windows, IE 11 may stop working.

For more information visit our Important Announcements page.

IdenTrust recognizes that it is sometimes difficult to determine what certificate is best to meet your needs.  To help you with this process, IdenTrust has created our unique Certificate Selection Wizard which will help guide you through the process of selecting your certificate.  The wizard is based on what you consider to be your Buying Community or what type of user community that you are most associated with.  Examples of Buying Communities include users of DoD ECA Agency applications, EPCS prescribers, professional who need digital signing and sealing or those individuals who need a certificate for personal use. 

 

1.  Start by selecting a category from the My Buying Community or the Certificate menu.  Once you have selected a category that is most similar to how you will use your certificate, you can choose from various Learn More links to access additional details about certificates in this category and how to use them. 

 

2.  When you are ready to purchase your certificate, you simply select a BUY NOW button that will launch the wizard related to that specific Buying Community or Certificate type you have chosen.  An added bonus is that IdenTrust has worked with the government agencies and vendors that use our certificates and we have configured our wizard to only offer you the types of certificates that they will accept.  

 

3.  From there all you need to do is respond to the prompts and the wizard will assist you in finalizing your buying decision.  

 

With IdenTrust, choosing the best certificate is for you is as easy as 1, 2, 3! 

Digital certificates retrieved into a browser, also known as software storage certificates, are intended to be used mainly from a single computer. As no additional device is required, software storage certificates are relatively inexpensive.

Digital certificates retrieved into a portable hardware device such as USB token or Smart card, not only can be used from multiple computers, but also offer additional security via the built-in second factor authentication feature. Certificates stored in hardware devices can also be configured for Client Authentication for faster secure login sessions.

The decision to opt for a software storage or a hardware storage certificate is mainly predefined by the sponsoring organization (business); at an individual level, the applicant should weigh-in if the additional security and portability benefits are worth the hardware expense. 

Note: Be sure to check with your relying party or program to determine if it requires a specific type of storage:

  • Software
  • USB token
  • Smart card 

TrustID | Basic Assurance | Individual Identity | Software Storage Certificate:
Authenticates you in personal online transactions, access to specific restricted Web sites, and allows you to send and receive, sign and encrypt email communications, using this digital certificate.

The following certificate is stored on your PC browser for use on a single computer:

  • TrustID | Basic Assurance | Individual Identity | Software Storage

The following certificate is stored on a USB token or smart card, can be used from multiple computers and is AATL Enabled: create digital signatures that are instantly trusted whenever the signed document is opened in Adobe® Acrobat® or Reader® software and can be used to sign unlimited number of PDF documents:

  • TrustID | Medium Assurance | Individual Identity | Hardware Storage | Trusted by Adobe®

TrustID | Medium Assurance | Business Identity Certificate:
These are digital certificates for employees of companies that will authenticate the individual as an employee of that company.  When applying for this type of certificate, each certificate is only for one individual, not an entire company.

The following certificates are stored on your PC browser for use on a single computer:

  • TrustID | Medium Assurance | Business Identity | Software Storage
  • TrustID | Medium Assurance | Business Identity | Software Storage | Non-U.S.

The following certificates are stored on a USB token or smart card, can be used from multiple computers and is AATL Enabled: create digital signatures that are instantly trusted whenever the signed document is opened in Adobe® Acrobat® or Reader® software and can be used to sign unlimited number of PDF documents:

  • TrustID | Medium Assurance | Business Identity | Hardware Storage | Trusted by Adobe®
  • TrustID | Medium Assurance | Business Identity | Hardware Storage | Trusted by Adobe® | Non-U.S.

TrustID | Secure Email | Email Identity Certificate:
Authenticates that the email address in the certificate is owned and/or controlled by you; no individual or business identity is verified. Once approved, the certificate allows you to sign and encrypt email communications.

The following certificates are stored on your PC browser for use on a single computer:

  • TrustID | Secure Email | Email Identity | Software Storage
  • TrustID | Secure Email | Email Identity | Software Storage | Non-U.S.

The following certificates are stored on a USB token or smart card and can be used from multiple computers:

  • TrustID | Secure Email | Email Identity | Hardware Storage
  • TrustID | Secure Email | Email Identity | Hardware Storage | Non-U.S.

TrustID | IdenTrust TLS/SSL | Organization Identity | Organization Validated (OV) Certificate:
Authenticates a Web site or a network server using the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols.

Visit our TrustID Products page for additional information.

IdenTrust offers two equivalent certificate types, which the IRS has approved to use for the FATCA program.


IdenTrust recommends using the FATCA Organization | Organization Identity | Software Storage certificates type since it was designed to provide an easier application and approval process. You should evaluate the information required for application and select the option that matches information you already have or can generate easily.

You may also select the FATCA | IdenTrust TLS/SSL | Organization Identity | Organization Validated (OV), which is the same certificate as our standard IdenTrust TLS/SSL | Organization Identity | Organization Validated (OV) certificate.


Our FATCA IRS Reporting Certificate Selection Wizard will assist you in choosing the best certificate to meet your needs.