One of the more important attributes on your certificate is the organization name. Thawte will not issue a certificate unless it is proven that you have the right to use a given name. This is a cautionary measure to prevent impostors from receiving certificates and then pretending to be firms they are not. In other words, to receive an organizational certificate you need to be some sort of recognized business or non-profit entity in your area, and have the documentation to prove it.
WHAT CONSTITUTES PROOF?
Different types of organization validate their right to use a name in different ways. Thawte will accept different kinds of documentation from each type of organization as proof of its right to use that organizational name. By and large the documentation needs to be on a letterhead, and needs to be official, and needs to be independently verifiable. For example, we need to be able to call the company registrar in your country to check that your are in fact registered under that name.
Most organizations fall into one of the following categories:
- Companies, corporations, partnerships or proprietorships
We will need a copy of your company registration documents. We will also accept a copy of your articles of incorporation or partnership declaration if it is stamped by the relevant authority.
- DBA's and Individuals
If you are a DBA ("Doing Business As") then we will need a copy of your DBA registration papers for local levy's and taxes. Any official correspondence indicating your right to use the name given on your request will generally be sufficient.
- Government Departments
We require an original signed letter from the Head of that department on the appropriate letterhead, along with contact information for his or her office and immediate superiors.
- NGO's: Non-Government Organizations
We require an original signed letter from the Chief Executive, Chairman or Managing Director of the NGO, on the appropriate letterhead.
- Universities and University Departments
We will require an original signed letter from the Dean or Vice-Chancellor responsible for that department. Note that this must be on the appropriate letterhead, accompanied by contact information for the University concerned.
- Special Interest Groups
Special-interest groups are popping up all over the Internet: The Apache Group, Debian, Linux Groups and others. We will issue such groups with certificates but request that you contact us to discuss verification and authentication.
WHAT IF I AM DIFFERENT?
Sure.. everybody likes to be different :-). If you believe you have a right to use an organizational name but you do not fit into the categories described above, then please contact us at webility@webility.com or phone us on 1-800-770-0968 to discuss your situation.
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