What is a digital signature certificate and how to get one free
Based on the Information Technology Act, 2000 (India) · Reviewed in October 2026
A digital signature certificate is an electronic record that links a signature to its signer. In India the DSC for GST and company filings comes from a licensed certifying authority. For contracts you can add a free signature certificate to any PDF. It shows the signer, the date and the SHA-256 fingerprint of the original.
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Two kinds of digital signature certificate
The phrase covers two different things. Pick the one that matches your task before you spend money.
| Certificate | Who issues it | What it is for | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| DSC under the IT Act (India) | A certifying authority licensed by the Controller of Certifying Authorities | GST, company filings, income tax and e-tenders | Paid, with identity checks |
| Certificate-based digital ID | A commercial certificate authority | Filings or companies that name a certificate type | Paid, usually yearly |
| Signature certificate page | Added by the signing tool to the PDF | Contracts, agreements, forms and receipts | Free with SignSolú |
In India a DSC is issued by a certifying authority licensed by the Controller of Certifying Authorities. Government portals for GST, company filings and tenders ask for that DSC. The free certificate on this page does not replace it.
Most business contracts do not need a DSC. They need proof of who signed and proof that the file did not change.
What the IT Act says about digital signatures
Section 3 of the IT Act lets a subscriber authenticate a record with a digital signature. That signature uses an asymmetric crypto system and a hash function.
Section 3A adds electronic signatures that are reliable and listed in the Second Schedule. Reliability means the signature data links to the signer alone.
Section 5 gives legal recognition to electronic signatures. A law that asks for a signature accepts one that meets the Act.
Section 35 covers how a certifying authority issues an electronic signature certificate. That is the formal DSC route.
Documents the IT Act leaves out
The First Schedule lists documents the Act does not cover. Print these and sign them by hand.
- Negotiable instruments other than a cheque, such as promissory notes
- Powers of attorney
- Trusts
- Wills and other testamentary dispositions
- Contracts for the sale or conveyance of immovable property
How to get a DSC in India
A DSC goes through a licensed certifying authority. The steps below follow the usual path for an individual.
- 1Choose a certifying authority licensed by the Controller of Certifying Authorities.
- 2Pick the certificate class the portal asks for.
- 3Fill in the application with your identity details.
- 4Complete the identity check the authority requires.
- 5Pay the fee and receive the certificate on a secure token.
- 6Register the DSC on the portal where you file.
Each portal names the class it accepts. Check that first to avoid buying the wrong one. Keep the token in a safe place after you register it.
How to get a free signature certificate for a contract
The tool at the top of this page adds a certificate page to any PDF you sign. It costs nothing and needs no account.
- 1Drop your PDF into the box at the top of this page.
- 2Tap «Draw my signature» and sign with your finger, mouse or pen.
- 3Tap the spot on the page where the signature goes.
- 4Leave «Add signature certificate» checked and write your name.
- 5Add your email if you want it printed on the certificate.
- 6Download the signed PDF. On a phone, use the brown bar at the bottom.
Your name and email go only onto the certificate page. Nothing is sent anywhere.
What the signature certificate shows
| Field | What it proves |
|---|---|
| Signer name and optional email | Who placed the signature |
| Date and time from the device | When the file was signed |
| File name | Which document was signed |
| Number of pages | That no page was added or removed |
| SHA-256 fingerprint of the original | That the original did not change |
The certificate is bilingual in English and Spanish. It matches the certificate of a SignSolú account.
The fingerprint is a 64-character code. The same file always produces the same code. Any edit produces another one.
How to verify a digital signature certificate
A DSC signature shows a status panel in most PDF readers. The reader checks the certificate chain and the seal.
A SignSolú certificate page gets checked with the free verification tool. Drop the original PDF and the signed PDF.
- The tool computes the fingerprint of the original on your device.
- It reads the fingerprint printed on the certificate page.
- It tells you in one line whether both codes match.
A match means the original did not change since it was signed. A mismatch means the file you dropped is a different one.
What to do if the fingerprint does not match
First check that you dropped the right original. A copy saved again from another app gets a new fingerprint.
Ask the other party for the file they signed. Compare the file names and the page count on the certificate.
If the codes still differ, treat the documents as different versions. Sign a fresh copy of the agreed text.
Digital signature certificate vs electronic signature
An electronic signature is any sign of intent attached to a record. A drawn signature on a PDF is one.
A digital signature certificate adds a layer of proof. It ties the signature to an identity checked by an authority.
| Question | Drawn signature with certificate page | DSC from a certifying authority |
|---|---|---|
| Who confirms the signer | The signer and the record of the signing | The certifying authority |
| What proves the file is intact | The SHA-256 fingerprint of the original | The cryptographic seal |
| What you need | A browser | A token, a reader and the DSC |
| Cost | Free | Paid |
| Typical use | Contracts and agreements | Government filings |
Common uses of a signature certificate
- Service agreements. A freelancer signs and sends the PDF with its certificate page.
- Purchase orders. A buyer signs the order and the supplier keeps the fingerprint on file.
- NDAs. Both parties can check that nobody edited the terms.
- Offer letters. A candidate signs from the phone and returns the file.
- Receipts and delivery notes. The certificate shows the date of signing.
In each case keep the original PDF next to the signed one. The check needs both files.
Your file never leaves your device
The tool signs the PDF and computes the fingerprint inside your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
Your drawn signature and name stay on this device for next time. Erase them with «Forget my data on this device».
Which certificate do you need?
- Filing GST or company returns in India. Get a DSC from a licensed certifying authority.
- Bidding in a government e-tender. Get the DSC class the tender names.
- Signing a client contract or an NDA. Use the free signature certificate on this page.
- Collecting a signature from someone else. Send the PDF from a SignSolú account.
- Signing a promissory note or a property sale in India. Print it and sign by hand.
The same logic applies outside India. Use a certificate when an office names one. Use the free certificate for everyday contracts.
When someone else has to sign
Send the PDF from a free SignSolú account. The other person gets a link by WhatsApp or email. They open it on their phone and tap the brown bar that says «Sign as …». You get the signed PDF back with a certificate that SignSolú timestamps. Your first ten documents are free.
How long a signature certificate lasts
A DSC issued in India usually lasts one or two years. After that it needs renewal with the certifying authority.
Documents signed while the DSC was valid stay valid after it expires. The reader checks the date of signing.
The free certificate page from SignSolú does not expire. The fingerprint of the original matches for as long as the file stays the same.
Sources
- Information Technology Act, 2000, updated text on indiacode.nic.in
- 15 U.S.C. 7001, general rule of validity on govinfo.gov
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free digital signature certificate?
Yes. The signature certificate page on this tool is free. A DSC for Indian government portals is paid.
Can I get a digital signature certificate online?
Yes. The free certificate is added in your browser. A DSC application also starts online with a certifying authority.
Can I use the free certificate for GST filing?
No. GST and company portals in India accept a DSC from a licensed certifying authority.
What is a digital signature certificate PDF?
It is a PDF that carries a signature and a certificate page or seal. The certificate lets anyone check the file later.
How long is a DSC valid?
It depends on the certificate. The certifying authority sets the term and prints it on the certificate.
Can I type my signature instead of drawing it?
No. You draw it, the same way you sign your ID.
What time does the free certificate show?
The time on your device. The free tool uses your device's time. For a time set by SignSolú and online checking, send it from an account.
Do I need a token to use the free certificate?
No. The free certificate needs only a browser. A DSC from a certifying authority usually comes on a secure token.
Does the free certificate work outside India?
Yes. It works in any browser and any country. The fingerprint check is the same everywhere.
Can I sign a promissory note electronically in India?
No. The IT Act leaves negotiable instruments other than cheques out. Print it and sign it by hand.