OV SSL Certificates

Sectigo will verify that your organization is legally registered in the state or country you have provided. We will confirm that you have a legitimate physical presence within the area registered. We can typically verify this information through a government database. Should additional information be required, we will notify you.

To receive an OV certificate, you must have a registered active telephone listing that is verifiable by an online telephone directory. It is important that your listing matches the exact business name and physical address that has been provided and verified.

In this step, we will confirm that the domain you are registering the certificate for is in fact owned by your organization. While domain ownership was traditionally verified through the WHOIS database, this method is no longer accepted for domain control validation (DCV) as of June 15, 2025. Instead, domain validation must now be completed using one of the supported methods, such as DNS-based authentication, file-based HTTP(S) validation, or confirmation via a pre-approved email address associated with your domain. We strongly recommend using DNS-based validation in preparation for shorter-lifetime certificates.

The final step of the verification process is simple. We will call the telephone number associated with your organization to verify ownership and order. This brief call only requires that you or an authorized site administrator be available to answer.

Organization Validation certificates have a more in-depth verification process when compared to Domain Validation (DV) certificates. Organizations must prove they are a legitimate business and own the domain they are trying to secure whereas a DV SSL only requires proof of domain ownership. A DV certificate works for internal sites and test servers while OV certificates are a suitable option for public-facing websites that represent companies or organizations. A DV SSL can be issued in minutes but an OV SSL is typically issued within 1-3 business days. Both types provide the padlock in the address bar.

At Sectigo®, an OV SSL starts at $184 for the single domain option when you choose a six-year subscription. The cost goes up for Multi-Domain and Wildcard certificates.

Multi-year plans provide instant savings and consistent coverage in a simplified, long-term solution. While you will have to reissue your certificate each year per industry standards, you're guaranteed the lowest price today, and locked in with coverage for multiple years.