How Quickly Are SSL Certificates Issued

When you purchase an SSL Certificate the time it takes to receive your issued SSL Certificate depends on the validation type you have chosen. Domain Validation (DV) SSL Certificates are issued within minutes of completing the automated validation process, while Certificate as a Service (CaaS) licenses are available instantly and ready to use with compatible Automated Certificate Management Environment (ACME) software clients, hosting control panels, and servers.

Organization Validation (OV) and Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates involve a human verification process and take longer to issue. Trustico® explains what to expect at each level so you can plan your deployment with confidence.

Domain Validation (DV) SSL Certificates

Domain Validation (DV) SSL Certificates are the fastest traditionally-issued SSL Certificates available. The entire issuance process is automated by the Certificate Authority (CA) and requires no human review.

Once you submit your order and complete the domain control validation step, your SSL Certificate is typically issued within minutes. The speed of issuance depends entirely on how quickly you complete the validation step, not on any queue or manual process on the part of the Certificate Authority (CA).

How Domain Control Validation Works

Before a Domain Validation (DV) SSL Certificate can be issued, the Certificate Authority (CA) must confirm that you control the domain name being secured. Trustico® supports three methods of completing this check - file-based authentication, Domain Name System (DNS) record validation, and e-mail validation. As soon as the Certificate Authority (CA) detects that the chosen validation step has been completed, your SSL Certificate is issued automatically and delivered without delay. Learn About the Validation Procedure 🔗

File-based authentication requires a small validation file to be uploaded to a specific location on your web server. This method is well-suited to customers who have direct access to their web server's file system and can act immediately. Learn About File-Based Authentication 🔗

Typical Issuance Timeframe

For the majority of Domain Validation (DV) orders placed through Trustico® the SSL Certificate is issued within two to five minutes of the validation step being completed. In some cases issuance is near-instant.

There is no working-hours restriction on Domain Validation (DV) issuance - the automated systems operated by the Certificate Authority (CA) run continuously, meaning your SSL Certificate can be issued and delivered at any time of day or night, including weekends and public holidays.

Certificate as a Service (CaaS) - Instant Issuance

Certificate as a Service (CaaS) from Trustico® takes issuance speed a step further. When you purchase a Certificate as a Service (CaaS) license your credentials are available immediately after your order is confirmed - there is no waiting period. Learn About Certificate as a Service (CaaS) 🔗

Your Certificate as a Service (CaaS) license is compatible with any Automated Certificate Management Environment (ACME) software client, a wide range of hosting control panels, and can be integrated directly with servers and applications. This means you can begin issuing SSL Certificates within moments of completing your purchase, with no manual steps required from Trustico® or the Certificate Authority (CA). Learn About the ACME Protocol and Compatible Clients 🔗

How CaaS Issuance Works

With Certificate as a Service (CaaS) your ACME (Automated Certificate Management Environment) client handles the entire Domain Validation (DV) and issuance process automatically. Once configured, your chosen ACME (Automated Certificate Management Environment) client communicates directly with the Certificate Authority (CA) using your Certificate as a Service (CaaS) credentials, completes domain control validation, obtains your SSL Certificate, and installs it - all without manual intervention. Learn About Compatible ACME Clients 🔗

This makes Certificate as a Service (CaaS) the fastest possible route to a deployed SSL Certificate and the preferred solution for environments where SSL Certificates need to be issued and renewed automatically at scale. Learn About Traditional SSL Certificates vs Certificate as a Service 🔗

Organization Validation (OV) and Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates

Organization Validation (OV) and Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates require a human verification process conducted by the Certificate Authority (CA). For Organization Validation (OV) SSL Certificates this typically involves verifying the legal existence and operational status of your organization, which can take between one and three business days depending on how readily available your business information is in public databases. Learn About Organization Validation (OV) SSL Certificates 🔗

Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates follow a more comprehensive vetting process and may take between one and five business days. Submitting accurate and complete information at the time of ordering helps avoid delays caused by additional verification requests from the Certificate Authority (CA). Learn About Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates 🔗

What Can Delay SSL Certificate Issuance

For Domain Validation (DV) SSL Certificates the most common cause of delay is an incomplete or incorrect validation step. If the validation file is placed in the wrong location, the Domain Name System (DNS) record contains an error, or the verification e-mail is not actioned promptly, issuance will be paused until the issue is resolved.

For Organization Validation (OV) and Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates delays most often occur when the organization information provided does not match what the Certificate Authority (CA) finds in public business registries or databases. Ensuring your business details are accurate and up to date before ordering will help the process proceed without interruption.

Certification Authority Authorization (CAA) records are a DNS (Domain Name System) configuration that can affect all validation types equally and are worth checking before placing any order. Learn About CAA Records and SSL Certificates 🔗

Summary of SSL Certificate Issuance Timeframes

Trustico® offers SSL Certificates across every validation level to suit different issuance timelines and business requirements. Certificate as a Service (CaaS) licenses are available instantly, making them the right choice for automated environments and customers who require immediate deployment. Domain Validation (DV) SSL Certificates are issued within minutes of a completed validation step and require no business documentation.

Organization Validation (OV) and Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates provide a higher level of identity assurance at the cost of a longer verification process, typically completing within one to five business days. Choosing the right validation level at the outset ensures your SSL Certificate arrives exactly when you need it. Explore Our Full Range of SSL Certificates 🔗