Extended Validation SSL Certificate
An Extended Validation SSL certificate provides the highest level of validation and trust for a website. EV SSLs require a rigorous authentication process by the certificate authority to verify not only the domain ownership but the complete legal identity of the business. It includes extensive company documentation, background checks, and legal paperwork validation.
Once issued, EV SSL certificate activates the green address bar and organization name in browsers to prominently display verified identity. This provides clear visual proof to customers that they are on a legitimate, fully verified site before sharing sensitive information.
Key benefits of Extended Validation certificates are the strong identity assurance, green browser cues, ability to process transactions, PCI compliance, protection against phishing, and increased consumer trust and confidence. For sites handling extremely sensitive data like finances or healthcare, an EV SSL is the best choice to inspire user trust.
What is an Extended Validated SSL Certificate?
An Extended Validation SSL certificate is a type of X.509 digital certificate used for establishing secure, encrypted connections between a website and visitors’ browsers. EV SSL certificates undergo a much more rigorous validation and identity verification process compared to domain-validated SSL certificates.
The main purpose of EV SSL certificates is to identify the legal entity that controls a website and establish the legitimacy of a business to visitors. When used, EV SSL certificates activate visual trust indicators like a green address bar or company name to display the identity. This provides clear visible confirmation that the site is controlled by a valid legal entity.
For websites involved in financial transactions, e-commerce, healthcare, legal services, etc, establishing identity and legitimacy is important to build user trust. EV SSL helps websites prove their real-world identity and inspires user confidence in site security. Research shows that EV SSL certificates can improve conversion rates by over 10% for e-commerce websites.
How EV SSL Certificates Work
The issuance process for Extended Validation certificates is governed by special industry guidelines established by the CA/Browser Forum. It involves a far more extensive identity verification process compared to domain validation.
Here are the key aspects of how EV SSL works:
Validation Process
- Certificate Authority does background checks on the company
- Verifies legal, operational, and physical existence
- Check that the entity requesting the certificate has authority over the website
- Business records, documentation, and signed contracts used
- Company principles are identified and validated
- The process typically takes 1-5 days to complete
Visual Trust Indicators
- The green address bar in the URL section turns green
- Site URL changes to show the company name
- The green padlock icon also indicates the EV certificate
- Clear visual confirmation that the site is EV-certified
- Browser-dependent so indicators vary across Chrome, Firefox, etc
Certificate Issuance
- CA roots integrate with browser root stores
- Browsers able to recognize CA authority and enable EV display
- Real-time Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP) used to check certificate status
- The user browser connects to the browser OCSP responder to verify certificate validity before displaying EV indicators
Benefits of EV SSL Certificates
There are many important benefits to using Extended Validation certificates for website security:
Increased User Trust and Credibility
- Clear company identity boosts user confidence and trust
- Users more likely to complete purchases and transactions
- EV boosts credibility for fields like healthcare, legal, financial, etc
Higher Conversions and Revenue
- Established trust increases conversions by over 10% typically
- More users complete purchases instead of abandoning them
- The higher lifetime value of converted customers
Improved SEO Rankings
- Search engines like Google recognize EV sites as more legitimate
- Helps boost domain authority and trust rankings
- Improves click-through-rates in search results
Compliance with Industry Standards
- Helps comply with PCI DSS and other financial compliance requirements
- Meets recommendations from internet security groups for e-commerce
- Industry reputation as a secure website
Future Proof Security
- EV will be a mandatory baseline in the future – get ahead of change
- Browsers to eventually warn on non-EV sites or label them as less secure
- Stay updated with the latest web security standards
How EV SSL Certificate Different from DV SSL Certificate?
Standard Domain Validation SSL certificates only validate control and ownership of the domain name. However, Extended Validation (EV) certificates involve in-depth verification of the legal entity requesting the certificate. Some key differences:
Identity Verification Rigor
- DV only validates domain ownership through DNS records or email
- EV requires extensive business registration and identity documentation
- DV can be automated while EV involves manual verification steps
Operational Existence Validation
- DV has minimal validation of actual business operations
- EV checks that the company does real business from validated addresses
Company Level Validation
- DV only validates domain control
- EV validates legal entities including founders, directors, etc
Issuance Time
- DV issuance can take minutes or hours
- EV issuance takes 1-5 days typically due to extensive checks
Limitations of EV SSL Certificates
While EV certificates provide a level of enhanced trust and security compared to domain-validated certificates, they do come with some drawbacks:
Higher Costs
- EV certificates are more expensive, often 3-4 times the cost of DV
- Annual renewal costs are also higher for EV
Slower Issuance Time
- Extensive verification means EV issuance takes longer – up to 5 dyas
- Domain validation is automated and only takes minutes in comparison
Limited Mobile Browser Support
- Mobile browsers don’t widely support EV indicators yet
- Only Chrome for Android currently displays EV indicators
Not universally recognized
- Users not familiar with EV may not notice visual trust indicators
- Less tech-savvy users may not understand EV status
Who Needs EV SSL Certificates
Due to the more rigorous identity verification requirements, EV SSL certificates are recommended for organizations that handle sensitive user information or transactions. Some examples include:
E-Commerce Companies
- Online retailers, stores, and marketplaces
- Establishing identity builds user trust in security
Financial Institutions
- Banks, insurance providers, and financial services
- Critical to establish legitimacy and prevent fraud
Healthcare Industry
- Hospitals, medical providers, and health insurers
- EV adds credibility to sensitive medical sites and apps
Legal Services
- Law firms, legal advice sites, and legal professionals
- Adds validity to advice and builds reputation
Non-profits and Charities
- Boost user trust through donations and volunteer signups
- Establishes reputation and validity of cause
Best EV SSL Certificates from Different Certificate Authorities
| Product Features | Sectigo PositiveSSL EV | Enterprise EV SSL | Comodo EV SSL | Thawte SSL Web Server with EV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate Authority |  Sectigo  |
 SSL.com |
 Comodo |
 Thawte |
| Single Domain | Single Domain | Single Domain | Single Domain | |
| Both www + non-www | Both www + non-www | Both www + non-www | Both www + non-www | |
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| Extended | Extended | Extended | Extended | |
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| 1-5 Days | 5 Minutes | 1-5 Days | Instant | |
| up to 256-bit | up to 256-bit | up to 256-bit | up to 256-bit | |
| 2048 bits | 2048 bits | 2048 bits | 2048 bits | |
| Very High | Very High | Very High | Very High | |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
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| $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,750,000 | $1,500,000 | |
| 30 days | 30-Day | 30 days | 30 days | |
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| 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | |
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| 24/7 Live Chat | 24/7 Live Chat | 24/7 Live Chat | 24/7 Live Chat |