The Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is critical in today’s era of computerization for authenticating electronic documents and transactions. Further, like any certificate, a DSC has an expiry date. Once an individual DSC expires, that individual has to renew the digital signature to be able to use it effortlessly for e-filing, company registrations, income tax returns, and all other government services. This blogs will help you understand the entire DSC renewal process, documents required for DSC renewal, and simple ways for renewing the digital signature online.
Why You Need DSC Renewal
A DSC usually comes with a validity of 1, 2, or 3 years. After that, the certificate becomes invalid and can no longer be used. The reasons to renew digital signature include:
- Continued access to e-filing portals (MCA, GST, Income Tax)
- Participating in online tenders
- Signing documents digitally
- Avoiding legal and operational delays due to expired certificates
If your DSC has expired, you must start the DSC renewal process immediately to avoid workflow interruptions.
What to Do If DSC Has Expired?
If your DSC has expired, you cannot use it until it is renewed. Steps to follow:
- Visit your CA’s website
- Select the Digital Signature Renewal Online option
- Upload your KYC
- Complete the payment and verification
- Download the new certificate or update it in your token
Class 3 Digital Signature Renewal
Class 3 DSCs are widely used for high-security operations such as
- E-tendering
- E-auctions
- Trademark filing
- Import/export documentation
If your Class 3 digital signature is about to expire, it’s crucial to initiate DSC renewal before expiry to avoid disruptions in your projects.
Documents Required for Digital Signature Certificate
Applying for a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC), applicants are required to provide valid proofs of identity and address. The documents required depend on the category of applicant—Individuals or Organizations. All the documents have to be self-attested and can be required to be uploaded or be presented during video verification based on the process of the Certifying Authority.
For Individuals:
- PAN Card (as identity proof)
- Aadhar Card, Passport, or any Government-issued address proof
- Passport-size photograph
- Email ID and mobile number for verification
- Video verification holding the original ID proof
For Organizations:
- Certificate of Incorporation (for companies, LLPs, or firms)
- PAN Card of the organization
- Authorization letter on company letterhead signed by an authorized signatory
- Identity and address proof of the authorized signatory (e.g., Director, Partner)
- GST certificate (if available)
- Email ID and mobile number of the signatory
DSC Renewal Process: Step-by-Step Guide
The DSC renewal process is a simple and secure procedure that can be completed entirely online. To begin, visit the official website of your chosen Certifying Authority and select the DSC renewal online option. Fill out the renewal form with your personal or organizational details, select the type and validity of the DSC (usually Class 3), and upload the required KYC documents such as PAN card and address proof. After making the online payment, complete the video verification as instructed by the provider. Once verified, your renewed digital signature certificate will either be downloaded or installed onto your existing USB token, allowing you to continue using it for secure digital transactions without interruption.
