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Here are the following requirements to buy an SSL Certificate. Purchasing an SSL Certificate is an essential step in protecting your website, encrypting sensitive data, and building trust with your visitors. At Hosted.com®, we simplify the process, but certain information and documents are required before an SSL can be issued.

All Hosted.com® cPanel Hosting plans include a free pre-installed SSL Certificate to ensure your site is encrypted and secure, along with a free domain name* on selected TLDs when choosing qualifying plans, making setup seamless and cost-effective.

Information Needed to Buy an SSL Certificate

Certificate Signing Request (CSR)

  • A CSR is a file generated on your hosting server that contains your website’s public key and details about your organization or domain.
  • This is the most important requirement, as the SSL Certificate cannot be issued without it.

Administrative Contact Information

  • The full name, email address, and phone number of the person authorized to approve the SSL order.
  • The email must be valid and accessible, because approval or validation messages may be sent there.
  • Using generic approver email addresses ensures that only authorized individuals with control over the domain can validate and receive SSL certificates. This method helps prevent unauthorized requests by requiring access to these specific addresses. 

The following generic email addresses can be used for domain validation: 

admin@your-domain-name.com 
administrator@your-domain-name.com 
hostmaster@your-domain-name.com 
webmaster@your-domain-name.com 
postmaster@your-domain-name.com
Information Needed To Buy An SSL Certificate

Technical Contact Information

  • The contact responsible for installing and managing the SSL on your hosting environment.
  • This can be the same as the administrative contact or a server administrator.

Company Details

  • Business name, registered address, and other identifying details.
  • For OV and EV certificates, accuracy is critical, as these details will be verified.

Company Registration Documentation

  • Official documentation may be required, depending on the type of SSL purchased.
  • Examples include company registration certificates, government-issued business licenses, or legal documentation showing your business name and address.

Additional Information

  • CSR Accuracy: Ensure that your CSR is generated with the correct domain name (Common Name), business details, and at least a 2048-bit key length for security.
  • Wildcard SSLs: If you need to secure multiple subdomains, you can purchase a Wildcard SSL. The Common Name in the CSR must begin with an asterisk (e.g., *.example.com).
  • Multi-Domain SSLs: Websites that need to secure multiple domain names may find that a SAN(Subject Alternative Name) SSL is more appropriate.
  • Keep Contact Information Updated: If your administrative or technical contact information is outdated, your SSL may be delayed. Always verify before ordering.
  • Renewals: For renewals, the same requirements apply. If your business details or domain ownership has changed, you may be asked for updated documentation.

Types of SSL Certificates & Their Requirements

SSL TypeRequirementsVerification LevelCommon Use
Domain Validation (DV)CSR and domain ownership verification (e.g., email or DNS validation)BasicBlogs, personal sites, small business websites
Organization Validation (OV)CSR, business documentation, and admin/tech contactsModerateBusiness websites, company portals, ecommerce
Extended Validation (EV)CSR, detailed business documentation, and phone verificationStrictFinancial institutions, high-traffic ecommerce, government websites
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