Types of SSL Certificates Explained: DV, OV, and EV

Understanding the different types of SSL certificates is essential for choosing the right certificate for your website. SSL certificates come in three main validation levels: Domain Validated (DV), Organization Validated (OV), and Extended Validation (EV). Each type offers different levels of security, validation, and trust indicators.

Domain Validated (DV) SSL Certificates

What is a DV Certificate?

Domain Validated certificates are the most basic type of SSL certificate. They verify that the applicant has control over the domain name but don't verify any organization details.

Validation Process

DV certificates require simple validation:

• Email verification sent to domain administrator
• DNS record verification
• File-based verification on the website

Best For

• Personal websites and blogs
• Small business websites
• Development and testing environments
• Internal applications

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Fast issuance (minutes to hours)
• Low cost or free (Let's Encrypt)
• Easy to obtain
• Suitable for basic encryption needs

Cons:

• No organization verification
• Lower trust indicators
• Not suitable for e-commerce

Organization Validated (OV) SSL Certificates

What is an OV Certificate?

Organization Validated certificates verify both domain ownership and organization details. The Certificate Authority (CA) checks business registration and verifies the organization's legitimacy.

Validation Process

OV certificates require more thorough validation:

• Domain ownership verification
• Business registration verification
• Organization contact verification
• Phone verification

Best For

• Business websites
• Corporate applications
• E-commerce sites
• Government websites

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Organization details in certificate
• Higher trust level
• Better for business credibility
• Moderate cost

Cons:

• Longer issuance time (1-3 days)
• Requires business documentation
• More expensive than DV

Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates

What is an EV Certificate?

Extended Validation certificates provide the highest level of validation and trust. They require the most rigorous verification process and display the organization name in the browser address bar.

Validation Process

EV certificates require extensive validation:

• All OV validation requirements
• Legal entity verification
• Physical business address verification
• Operational existence verification
• Enhanced verification checks

Best For

• Financial institutions
• E-commerce platforms
• Healthcare websites
• High-security applications
• Enterprise websites

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Highest trust level
• Organization name in address bar
• Maximum security assurance
• Best for customer confidence

Cons:

• Longest issuance time (5-10 days)
• Most expensive option
• Extensive documentation required
• Annual renewal process

Comparison Table

Choosing the Right Certificate Type

Consider these factors when choosing:

• Website Type: Personal vs. business vs. enterprise
• Security Requirements: Basic encryption vs. high security
• Budget: Free vs. paid options
• Time Constraints: Immediate vs. can wait
• Trust Level Needed: Basic vs. maximum trust

Conclusion

Understanding SSL certificate types helps you make informed decisions about website security. While DV certificates are sufficient for most websites, OV and EV certificates provide additional trust and security for business and enterprise applications. Regardless of the type you choose, regular monitoring and timely renewal are essential for maintaining security.

Use our SSL certificate checker to verify your current certificate type and ensure it meets your security requirements.