Identity Validation for SSL.com Certificates: A Complete Guide

Abstract: Identity validation is a required step for obtaining SSL certificates that carry verified personal identity, including IV S/MIME, Document Signing, Client Authentication, and Code Signing certificates.

This guide covers both the automated and manual submission paths, accepted government-issued documents by country and region, liveness video tips, and common reasons submissions are rejected, along with step-by-step instructions for resubmitting corrected documents.

Individual Validation (IV) is required before SSL can issue certificates that carry your verified identity, including Personal ID S/MIME, Personal ID Document Signing, IV Code Signing, and Personal ID Client Authentication certificates. 

This guide covers both ways to complete identity validation, which documents SSL accepts, how to record a successful liveness video, why submissions are sometimes rejected, and how to resubmit if that happens.

What Is Identity Validation and Why Does It Matter?

Identity validation confirms that the person requesting a certificate is who they claim to be. Unlike Domain Validation (DV), which only verifies control of a domain, IV certificates bind a verified individual identity to the certificate itself. This makes them suitable for legally binding digital signatures, secure email, and authenticated client access.

SSL performs this step in compliance with CA/Browser Forum Baseline Requirements and WebTrust-audited practices. Once your identity is validated, the approval carries over to future orders that require IV, so you only need to complete the process once per account.

Two Ways to Complete Identity Validation

Option 1: Automated Identity Validation (Recommended)

The automated path uses SSL’s Identity Verification tool and is the fastest route to approval. You will need a smartphone with a working camera and access to a supported browser.

To begin, log in to your SSL account, navigate to your Dashboard, and click the perform identity verification link. From your desktop browser, scan the QR code displayed on screen to continue the session on your phone. Once the verification page loads on your phone:

1. Tap Let’s go and allow camera access when prompted.
2. Select your document type from the available options.
3. Photograph the front of your ID, then the back if the system requests it.
4. Complete the liveness check as directed (see liveness video tips below).

If your documents are accepted, SSL will send you an email with a link to review and approve your validated name and country. After you click Approve, your account will display Identity Verified on the Dashboard.

Option 2: Manual Document Submission

If the automated path is unavailable in your region, your document type is not recognized by the AI tool, or you prefer to submit materials directly, SSL also accepts manual uploads through the Validations section of your account.

For manual submission, prepare and upload all three of the following items:

• Front of a valid government-issued photo ID or passport data page. SSL must be able to clearly see your full legal name, address, year of birth, and photograph. The ID number may be obscured if you prefer.
• Back of the same government-issued ID. For passports, a second image of the biographical data page is acceptable.
• A photograph of you holding the ID next to your face. Your face and the ID must both be clearly visible and readable in the same frame. The image must be at least 5 megapixels. Most smartphones produced in the last several years meet this requirement by default.

To upload, log in to your SSL account, go to Orders, click the relevant order, and select the upload link from the Certificate Details section. You can submit up to five files at once, and ZIP archives are supported.

Accepted Identity Documents by Region

The following document types are accepted for identity validation. All documents must be government-issued, currently valid (not expired), and contain your photograph.

United States

• Passport or U.S. Passport Card
• State-issued Driver’s License
• State-issued Identification Card
• U.S. Military ID Card
• Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)

Canada

• Canadian Passport
• Provincial Driver’s License (must include photo and address)
• Provincial Photo ID Card
• Permanent Resident Card

United Kingdom

• UK Passport
• UK Driving License (photocard)
• Biometric Residence Permit

European Union Member States

• National ID Card (any EU-issued biometric card is accepted)
• Passport
• Residence Permit with photograph
• Driving License (photocard) 

Australia and New Zealand

• Passport
• State or Territory Driver’s License
• Proof of Age / Photo ID Card (government-issued)
• Driving License (photocard) 

India

• Passport
• Aadhaar Card (with visible name, photo, and address)
• PAN Card (acceptable when submitted alongside a secondary document showing your address)
• Voter ID Card
• Driver’s License issued by a State RTO

Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and others)

• National Passport
• National ID Card (CPF/CURP/Cédula de Ciudadanía or equivalent)
• Driver’s License (must include photo and date of birth)

Middle East and Africa

• National Passport
• National ID Card (where applicable)
• Residency Permit with photograph

Asia-Pacific (Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Philippines, and others)

• National Passport
• National ID Card or Residence Card (My Number Card, National ID, etc.)
• Driver’s License (must include photograph)

Note: SSL may request a secondary document if your primary ID does not include your residential address, depending on the type of certificate you are applying for. Acceptable secondary documents typically include records from government sources. Alternatively, SSL may verify your address by sending a postcard to confirm its existence. If you are unsure whether your document qualifies, contact support@ssl.com before submitting.

Liveness Video: What It Is and How to Pass It

The liveness check is a short, real-time biometric step within the automated identity validation flow. Its purpose is to confirm that a live person is presenting the ID, rather than a static image, a screen replay, or an AI-generated likeness. SSL’s verification system uses active liveness detection, meaning it will prompt you to perform one or more on-screen actions during the check.

Before You Begin

• We recommend using a mobile device running a current version of iOS or Android with a functioning front-facing camera. You can still use a laptop or computer with a webcam; however, mobile devices typically have better cameras and are more likely to provide better results.
• Find a well-lit space where light falls evenly on your face. Natural light from a window works well. Avoid sitting with a bright light source directly behind you, as this creates silhouetting.
• Remove sunglasses, heavy-framed glasses if possible, and any face coverings before starting.
• Hold your phone at roughly arm’s length so your entire face fills the camera frame without being cut off at the edges.
• Keep your internet connection stable throughout. Switching between Wi-Fi and cellular mid-session can cause the session to drop.

During the Liveness Check

• Follow every on-screen prompt carefully and completely. Common prompts include blinking, slowly turning your head left and right, or maintaining a neutral expression for a few seconds.
• Move slowly and deliberately. The system can misread rapid movements or partial gestures.
• Keep your face centered in the frame for the full duration of the check.
• Do not hold the ID document in front of your face during this step. The document capture and the face check are separate stages.

Common Reasons Identity Validation Fails

Understanding why a submission is rejected can save significant time. The most frequent reasons include:

Document issues:

• The ID has expired at the time of submission.
• Glare, blur, or shadows obscure the name, date of birth, or photograph.
• The ID number has been obscured too aggressively, covering adjacent required fields.
• The document is a photocopy or digital scan of a scan (second-generation copies are not accepted).
• The name or address on the ID does not match the information entered during ordering.

Selfie-with-ID photo issues:

• The ID is held too far from the face, making the text on the card unreadable.
• The ID is angled or tilted, distorting key fields.
• Lighting is too low, or a flash creates a reflection that washes out the ID surface.
• The image resolution is below 5 megapixels.
• The selfie is a screenshot of a photo rather than a new capture.

Liveness check issues (automated path):

• The session was completed in a browser private/incognito tab. SSL’s verification tool requires a standard browsing session.
• The camera permission was not granted, causing the system to time out.
• Poor lighting caused the face recognition component to fail repeatedly.
• The session was interrupted by an incoming call or notification that switched apps.
• A pre-recorded video or photo was presented to the camera instead of a live face.

How to Resubmit After a Failed Validation

If your submission is rejected, SSL will send a notification to the email address on your account explaining the reason. Review the message carefully before preparing a new submission.

To resubmit:

1. Log in to your SSL account and go to Orders or the Validations section.
2. Locate the order with a status of Pending Validation and click the upload or verify link.
3. Prepare fresh, high-quality versions of any documents flagged in the rejection notice.
4. If the automated path failed, consider switching to manual document upload, or vice versa.
5. Upload your corrected documents and submit.

If you are unsure what caused the failure or if the same submission has been rejected more than once, contact SSL support at support@ssl.com with your order reference number. The validation team can review your specific case and advise on next steps. In rare situations involving unusual document types, SSL may request a notarized copy of your ID or an attestation letter from a licensed attorney, accountant, or notary public.

After Successful Validation

Once SSL approves your identity validation, your Dashboard will display Identity Verified. You will receive a confirmation email with a link to review and formally approve your validated name and country. From that point forward, any new certificate order that requires IV will automatically reference your verified identity, removing the need to resubmit documents for future orders on the same account.

For questions about which certificate types require identity validation, reach out to the SSL sales team via the form below.