Get a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate for Online Filings
Get a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate for MCA, GST, income tax and e-tender filings. Simple paperless verification and guidance on USB token setup.
- Fixed, itemised price
- Partner CA / CS / advocate
- Free Ambition Pro for 12 months
Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) at a glance
- Professional fee
- Quote on request, confirmed before you pay
- Typical timeline
- A DSC is typically issued within a day or two of completing verification, depending on the Certifying Authority's processing.
- Who handles it
- A qualified professional from the Vibence partner network
- Documents
- PAN card of the applicant, Aadhaar card, with mobile number linked for OTP, Recent passport-size photograph and more
- Included free
- Free Ambition Pro for 12 months and domains at cost
Last reviewed October 2026
A Digital Signature Certificate, or DSC, is the electronic equivalent of a physical signature. It confirms your identity when you sign documents and filings online. In India, DSCs are issued by licensed Certifying Authorities and are needed for many filings, including company and LLP forms on the MCA portal, certain GST and income tax filings, DGFT applications and government e-tenders. Class 3 is the standard category now issued for these purposes.
Vibence helps you get the right DSC without confusion. We help you choose between signing and encryption types and the available validity options, complete the online application and finish the paperless identity verification, which usually includes a short video check. The certificate is then downloaded onto a secure USB token, and we help you install it so it works on the portals you use.
Who this is for
- Directors and designated partners filing on the MCA portal
- Professionals and businesses filing GST and income tax returns
- Businesses bidding on government e-tenders
- Importers and exporters signing DGFT applications
Sign anywhere
Sign filings and documents online without printing or couriering paper.
Legally recognised
A DSC is recognised under the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Works across portals
One Class 3 DSC can be used on MCA, GST, income tax and tender portals.
Paperless verification
Identity checks are completed online, usually with a short video.
What's included
- Guidance on the right DSC type: signing, or signing and encryption
- Help choosing a validity option offered by the Certifying Authority
- Online application with a licensed Certifying Authority
- Assistance with Aadhaar or PAN based eKYC and video verification
- Issue of the DSC on a secure USB token
- Help installing drivers and registering the DSC on the portals you use
We confirm an itemised fixed price for your exact case before any payment.
Get my quote- Free Ambition Pro for 12 months
- Domains at cost
DSC charges are set by the Certifying Authority and vary with type and validity, and any applicable token cost and GST are confirmed with your quote.
Documents you'll need
- PAN card of the applicant
- Aadhaar card, with mobile number linked for OTP
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Email ID and mobile number of the applicant
- Organisation details and authorisation letter, for an organisation DSC
- Passport and address proof, for foreign nationals
A DSC is typically issued within a day or two of completing verification, depending on the Certifying Authority's processing.
DSC charges are set by the Certifying Authority and vary with type and validity, and any applicable token cost and GST are confirmed with your quote.
Qualified professionals from the Vibence partner network, with certification wherever the law requires it.
The process
- Choose your DSCWe help you select the class, type and validity that suit your filings.
- Submit detailsYou share your identity documents and contact details.
- Verify identityYou complete eKYC and a short video verification online.
- Download and installThe DSC is issued to a USB token and set up on your computer.
Digital Signature Certificate (DSC): FAQs
What is a Class 3 digital signature certificate?
A Class 3 DSC is the category of digital signature now issued in India for most online filings and e-tenders. It is issued by a licensed Certifying Authority after verifying your identity, usually through eKYC and a video check. Class 3 DSCs are used for MCA forms, income tax and GST filings, DGFT applications and government e-procurement portals. Older Class 2 certificates are no longer issued.
How long is a DSC valid?
A DSC is issued for a fixed validity period, and Certifying Authorities typically offer options such as one or two years, and in some cases longer. The price varies with the period chosen. Once it expires, you need a new DSC, which involves a fresh application and verification. We recommend tracking your DSC expiry, especially before important filing deadlines.
Where is a digital signature certificate used?
A DSC is used to sign electronic documents and filings. Common uses include signing company and LLP forms on the MCA portal, filing certain GST returns, verifying income tax returns and audit reports, signing DGFT applications for an Import Export Code and bidding on government e-tenders. Banks and other bodies may also accept documents signed with a DSC.
What is the difference between a signing and an encryption DSC?
A signing DSC is used to sign documents and filings, which covers most MCA, GST and income tax needs. An encryption DSC is used to encrypt information so only the intended recipient can read it, which some e-tender portals require. A combined signing and encryption DSC covers both. Our team helps you choose based on the portals you plan to use.
Can I get a DSC without visiting an office?
Yes. The DSC process is now largely paperless. You apply online, complete identity verification using Aadhaar-based eKYC or PAN-based verification, and record a short video for confirmation. Once approved, the certificate is downloaded onto a USB token, which is delivered or provided to you. Foreign nationals may need additional documents and verification steps.
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