Question: What are EV Certificates?
Answer: Extended Validation (EV) Certificates are SSL Certificates that are issued after a rigorous validation process. The cryptographic strength and security of an EV certificate is no different than that of a DV (Domain Validated) or OV (Organization Validation) certificate, but the identity verification performed by the Certificate Authority (CA) is much stricter. The CA/Browser Forum sets forth validation requirements for EV certificates. Detailed information can be found in their guidelines here.
EV certificates conform to the X.509 standard just like any other SSL certificate and are used for secure web communications with HTTPS. They may also be used for other purposes such as signing software, documents, or code.
Historically, EV certificates were known for the “green address bar” displayed by browsers which showed the verified company name next to the URL. Modern browsers have since removed this prominent visual indicator from the address bar. Today, the organization information is still embedded in the certificate and can be viewed through the browser’s certificate details.
If you have a certificate you want to decode, head over to our Certificate Decoder.
Extended Validation Certificate Benefits
The benefits of EV certificates are sometimes debated. From a cryptographic perspective, an EV certificate provides the same encryption strength as DV or OV certificates. The primary difference is the higher level of identity verification performed by the issuing CA.
This verification process confirms the legal existence of the organization requesting the certificate and validates operational and contact details before issuance. Because of this, EV certificates can provide additional assurance that a website truly belongs to the organization listed in the certificate.
While browsers no longer display prominent EV indicators in the address bar, the verified organization name remains embedded within the certificate and can be inspected by users or security tools. For high-profile websites that are frequently targeted by phishing attacks, some organizations still prefer EV certificates as an additional layer of identity assurance.
However, for many modern websites the practical difference between DV, OV, and EV certificates is primarily related to identity validation rather than encryption strength.
How to Get EV Certificates
EV certificates must be issued by a publicly trusted commercial Certificate Authority and require documentation and verification steps during the issuance process. The organization requesting the certificate must prove its legal existence and operational status before the certificate can be approved.
Once issued, EV certificates function the same as other TLS certificates and are trusted by all major browsers and operating systems. They are typically offered with support options, warranties, and compatibility across modern web browsers.
EV Code Signing Certificates
Code Signing Certificates may also go through the extended validation process. EV code signing certificates are commonly used by software developers because they provide stronger identity verification and can improve reputation with platforms such as Microsoft SmartScreen. We have written a more in depth article specifically on code signing certificates and the benefits of EV here.
Should You Use an EV Certificate?
Whether or not to use an EV certificate depends on your organization’s needs. Websites that want strong identity verification, particularly financial institutions, enterprise platforms, or organizations concerned about phishing impersonation, may still choose EV certificates.
For many websites, however, Domain Validated certificates issued by automated services such as Let’s Encrypt provide sufficient security because the encryption provided by TLS is identical regardless of validation level.
Ultimately, EV certificates focus on verifying who owns a website rather than increasing the strength of the encryption used to secure the connection.
If you have any questions or would like more details about the EV validation process leave us a comment!
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