Order code signing certificate

POST https://www.digicert.com/services/v2/order/certificate/{{code_signing_certificate_id}}

Use this endpoint to submit a request to create an order for a Code Signing (CS) or EV Code Signing (EV CS) certificate. In the endpoint path, replace code_signing_certificate_id with the ID of the certificate you want to order:

Code Signing: code_signing
EV Code Signing: code_signing_ev

Warning

New private key storage requirement for Code Signing certificates

Starting May 16, 2023, DigiCert no longer accepts Code Signing (code_signing) certificate requests using browser-based key generation and certificate installation or any other process that includes creating a CSR and installing your certificate on a laptop or server. This change affects new, renewal, and reissue code signing certificate requests submitted using the CertCentral UI and the Services API.

Reminder: Starting May 30, 2023, DigiCert can no longer issue certificates for requests that do not meet the new private key storage requirement.

Learn more:

Important

Industry requires RSA 3072-bit key minimum for all code signing certificates

On May 28, 2021, DigiCert made the following changes to our code signing certificate process:

Only issues RSA 3072-bit key or larger code signing certificates
Uses new intermediate CA and root certificates to issue our code signing and EV code signing certificates: RSA and ECC.

Learn more: Code signing changes in 2021

Code Signing and EV Code Signing provisioning methods

When creating a code signing certificate order, you choose how to generate and store the private key by specifying a provisioning method (cs_provisioning_method) in your request.

Note

The cs_provisioning_method parameter is optional. If omitted, DigiCert uses the default provisioning method configured in your CertCentral account settings.

CertCentral supports these provisioning methods:

DigiCert-provided hardware token
Use existing token
Install on HSM
DigiCert KeyLocker

DigiCert-provided hardware token (`ship_token`)

DigiCert ships you a hardware token with instructions to activate your certificate (see Set Up Your DigiCert Provided eToken). To provide your shipping address, use the ship_info object. Otherwise, DigiCert uses the default shipping address from your CertCentral account settings.

When you receive your token, use the DigiCert Hardware Certificate Installer (DHCI) to install the certificate. To get the initialization code for the order to use with DHCI, check the value of the hardware_init_code parameter on the Order info API response.

Use existing token (`client_app`)

Install the certificate on a supported secure token you already own. To identify your device, use the certificate.server_platform object.

When your certificate is issued, use DHCI to install the certificate. To get the initialization code for the order to use with DHCI, check the value of the hardware_init_code parameter on the Order info API response.

Install on an HSM (`email`)

DigiCert sends you the certificate to install on your own Common Criteria EAL4+ standard or FIPS 140-2 level 2 HSM. A csr is required when using this provisioning method. If you don't have a compatible HSM, use a different provisioning method.

When using the email provisioning method, DigiCert sends the certificate requestor an agreement email. This email is to ensure that the private key is stored on an HSM that is certified as FIPS 140 Level 2, Common Criteria EAL 4+, or equivalent. DigiCert only issues the certificate after the requestor agrees to the private key protection requirement.

DigiCert KeyLocker (`keylocker`)

Use DigiCert KeyLocker to generate and store your private key. DigiCert KeyLocker is a cloud‐based solution that provides FIPS 140-2 level 2 compliant private key generation and storage for your code signing certificates. Learn more about DigiCert KeyLocker.

When using keylocker as the provisioning method, you still use CertCentral to complete validation and manage your order. When your certificate is issued, it is available in the DigiCert KeyLocker account linked to your CertCentral account. To use the certificate to sign code, you must have access to DigiCert KeyLocker.

I don't have access to DigiCert KeyLocker
The first time DigiCert receives a request from your CertCentral account to create a code signing certificate order with keylocker as the provisioning method, your primary CertCentral account administrator receives an email with instructions to set up DigiCert KeyLocker. To get access to the DigiCert KeyLocker UI and client tools, contact the primary administrator in your CertCentral account.
Tip
For account administrators: Learn how to create a DigiCert KeyLocker user.
I have access to DigiCert KeyLocker
When issued, your certificate is available in your DigiCert KeyLocker account. You can immediately begin using the DigiCert KeyLocker client tools to sign code.

Note

DigiCert KeyLocker is not available in all CertCentral accounts.

Example requests and responses

Example 1. Preconfigured hardware token (ship_token)

curl --request POST 'https://www.digicert.com/services/v2/order/certificate/{{code_signing_certificate_id}}' \
--header 'X-DC-DEVKEY: {{api_key}}' \
--header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
--data-raw '{
  "certificate": {
    "signature_hash": "sha256"
  },
  "order_validity": {
    "years": 1
  },
  "organization": {
    "id": 12345,
    "contacts": [
      {
        "contact_type": "verified_contact",
        "user_id": 12345
      }
    ]
  },
  "skip_approval": true,
  "cs_provisioning_method": "ship_token",
  "ship_info": {
    "name": "John Doe",
    "addr1": "360 Taylor Street",
    "addr2": "Floor 74",
    "city": "Richmond",
    "state": "va",
    "zip": "69662",
    "country": "us",
    "method": "EXPEDITED"
  }
}'

Example 2. Use existing token (client_app)

curl --request POST 'https://www.digicert.com/services/v2/order/certificate/{{code_signing_certificate_id}}' \
--header 'X-DC-DEVKEY: {{api_key}}' \
--header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
--data-raw '{
  "certificate": {
    "signature_hash": "sha256",
    "server_platform": {
      "id": 23
    }
  },
  "order_validity": {
    "years": 1
  },
  "organization": {
    "id": 12345,
    "contacts": [
      {
        "contact_type": "verified_contact",
        "user_id": 12345
      }
    ]
  },
  "skip_approval": true,
  "cs_provisioning_method": "client_app"
}'

Example 3. Install on HSM (email)

curl --request POST 'https://www.digicert.com/services/v2/order/certificate/{{code_signing_certificate_id}}' \
--header 'X-DC-DEVKEY: {{api_key}}' \
--header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
--data-raw '{
  "certificate": {
    "signature_hash": "sha256",
    "csr": "<csr>",
    "server_platform": {
      "id": -1
    }
  },
  "order_validity": {
    "years": 1
  },
  "organization": {
    "id": 12345,
    "contacts": [
      {
        "contact_type": "verified_contact",
        "user_id": 12345
      }
    ]
  },
  "skip_approval": true,
  "cs_provisioning_method": "email"
}'

Example 4. DigiCert KeyLocker (keylocker)

curl --request POST 'https://www.digicert.com/services/v2/order/certificate/{{code_signing_certificate_id}}' \
--header 'X-DC-DEVKEY: {{api_key}}' \
--header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
--data-raw '{
  "certificate": {
    "signature_hash": "sha256"
  },
  "order_validity": {
    "years": 1
  },
  "organization": {
    "id": 12345,
    "contacts": [
      {
        "contact_type": "verified_contact",
        "user_id": 12345
      }
    ]
  },
  "skip_approval": true,
  "cs_provisioning_method": "keylocker"
}'

Example 5. 201 Created (skip approval)

{
  "id": 112233,
  "certificate_id": 445566
}

Example 6. 201 Created (one-step approval)

{
  "id": 112233,
  "requests": [
    {
      "id": 113,
      "status": "pending"
    }
  ]
}

Example 7. 201 Created (two-step approval)

{
  "id": 112233,
  "requests": [
    {
      "id": 113,
      "status": "submitted"
    }
  ]
}

Example 8. 201 Created (auto approval)

{
  "id": 112233,
  "requests": [
    {
      "id": 113,
      "status": "approved"
    }
  ],
  "certificate_id": 113
}

Path parameters

Name	Req/Opt	Description
code_signing_certificate_id	required	Product identifier of the code signing certificate you want to order. Allowed values: Code Signing: `code_signing` EV Code Signing: `code_signing_ev` For a list of all product identifiers, see Glossary - Product identifiers.

Name

Req/Opt

Description

code_signing_certificate_id

required

Product identifier of the code signing certificate you want to order.

Allowed values:

Code Signing: code_signing
EV Code Signing: code_signing_ev

For a list of all product identifiers, see Glossary - Product identifiers.

Request parameters

Name	Req/Opt	Type	Description
certificate	required	object	Certificate details.
.. csr	conditional	string	Certificate signing request (CSR). Required for Code Signing and EV Code Signing certificates that will be installed on HSMs (`cs_provisioning_method` is `email`). The CSR must use a key size your hardware supports. DigiCert rejects `code_signing` certificate requests that include a CSR if the `cs_provisioning_method` is not `email`. Note: The Services API does not extract information from the CSR to fill in the details of a certificate request. You must provide values for all relevant request parameters, including `organization.id`. If you are creating a new organization with your certificate request, you must provide values for all required parameters of the `organization` object.
.. signature_hash	required	string	Hash algorithm used to signing the certificate. Allowed values:`sha256`
.. server_platform	conditional	object	Server platform type.
.. .. id	conditional	int	Server platform ID. Allowed values: See Code Signing and EV Code Signing hardware platforms. Usage depends on provisioning method (`cs_provisioning_method`): `ship_token`: `server_platform.id` is optional and has no impact on the token type DigiCert ships. If not provided, defaults to `23`. `email`: `server_platform.id` is optional. If not provided, defaults to `-1`. Note: When the provisioning method is `email`, the CSR in your request must use a key size your hardware supports. `client_app`: `server_platform.id` is required. `keylocker`: `server_platform.id` is not used. Important! When DigiCert receives a Code Signing or EV Code Signing request with a `server_platform.id` of `51`-`57`, we automatically convert the `server_platform.id` to `-1` (other) before creating the order or order request.
.. organization_units	optional	array	Department in your organization associated with the certificate.
auto_renew	optional	int	Number of times the certificate should renew automatically.
additional_emails	optional	array	Additional email addresses to receive certificate notification emails (e.g., certificate issuance, duplicate certificate, certificate renewals, etc.).
renewal_of_order_id	optional	int	If order is a renewal, enter the previous order's ID.
skip_approval	optional	bool	Specify if the order should skip the certificate request approval step and be immediately submitted for validation and issued when complete. Default:`false`. The `skip_approval` option skips only the approval step (for example, from your organization), but does not skip the validation step required by Digicert for a certificate.
organization_contact	optional	object	Organization contact for the order. Include this object at the root of the request body to create the order with a different organization contact than the one assigned to the `organization` on the request. If omitted, the order uses the same organization contact assigned to the `organization`. Note: The order-level `organization_contact` is only used on the order. It does not replace the organization contact assigned to the `organization` on the request.
.. first_name	required	string	Contact first name.
.. last_name	required	string	Contact last name.
.. email	required	string	Contact email address.
.. job_title	optional	string	Contact job title.
.. telephone	optional	string	Contact telephone number.
.. telephone_extension	optional	string	Telephone extension.
technical_contact	optional	object	Technical contact for the order. Include this object at the root of the request body to create the order with a different technical contact than the one assigned to the `organization` on the request. If omitted, the order uses the same technical contact assigned to the `organization`. Note: The order-level `technical_contact` is only used on the order. It does not replace the technical contact assigned to the `organization` on the request.
.. first_name	required	string	Contact first name.
.. last_name	required	string	Contact last name.
.. email	required	string	Contact email address.
.. job_title	optional	string	Contact job title.
.. telephone	optional	string	Contact telephone number.
.. telephone_extension	optional	string	Telephone extension.
organization	required	object	Object with information about the organization to associate with the request. You can associate the request with an existing organization, or you can create a new organization when you submit the order request. To associate the request with an existing organization, pass the ID of the organization as the value of `organization.id` in the body of your request. To create a new organization, include the details of the organization in the `organization` object. For more information about the structure and required parameters of the `organization` object, see the Create organization documentation. Note: When you submit an order with organization details instead of providing an organization ID, we check the organizations that already exist in your account to avoid creating a duplicate. If we find one matching organization, we automatically associate the order with that organization instead of creating a new one. If we find two or more matching organizations, we automatically associate the order with the oldest matching organization in your account instead of creating a new one. To override this behavior and force the request to create a new organization, set the `organization.skip_duplicate_org_check` parameter to `true` in the body of your request. Important: When you want to associate an order with an existing organization, we recommend always using the ID of the organization instead of the organization's details in the body of your request. To get the ID values for organizations in your account, use the List organizations endpoint. Additionally, we recommend deactivating unused organizations to ensure they are never accidentally assigned to a new order request. To deactivate an organization, use the Deactivate organization endpoint.
.. id	conditional	int	The ID of an existing organization to associate with the order. To get the ID of organizations in your account, use the List organizations endpoint. Omit this value if you are creating a new organization with your request.
.. name	conditional	string	Legal name of the organization. Required when creating a new organization. Character limit: 64 if `assumed_name` is empty or not provided. If the request includes an `assumed_name` value, the combined length of the submitted `name` + `assumed_name` values cannot exceed 61 characters. Three characters are reserved for spacing and punctuation.
.. assumed_name	optional	string	Public name of the organization. Also called Doing Business As (DBA) name. Character limit: The combined length of the submitted `name` + `assumed_name` values cannot exceed 61 characters. Three characters are reserved for spacing and punctuation.
.. country	conditional	string	Two-letter country code for the country where the organization is located. Required when creating a new organization. Format: Must be a valid ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code.
.. address	conditional	string	Address of the organization. Required when creating a new organization. Character limit: 64
.. address2	optional	string	Second line of the organization's address. Character limit: 64
.. city	conditional	string	City where the organization is located. Required when creating a new organization. Character limit: 64
.. state	conditional	string	State or province where the organization is located. Use the full name instead of an abbreviation. Required when creating a new organization. Character limit: 64
.. zip	conditional	string	Postal code of the organization. Required when creating a new organization. Character limit: 128
.. telephone	conditional	string	Organization telephone number. Required when creating a new organization. Character limit: 32
.. contacts	conditional	string	List of objects with information about the organization contact, technical contact, and verified contacts for the organization. Whether you need to provide a list of contacts depends on your usage requirements and whether the order is for a new or existing organization. When creating a new organization: For Code Signing and EV Code Signing certificates, providing a `verified_contact` is required^. Providing an `organization_contact` is optional. If omitted, the organization is created and the authenticated user is saved as the organization contact. Providing a `technical_contact` is optional. If omitted, the organization is created with no technical contact. When using an existing organization ID: Providing an `organization_contact` and `technical_contact` is optional. If provided, the new organization and technical contact replace the existing contacts stored on the organization. For Code Signing and EV Code Signing certificates, providing a `verified_contact` is optional if the organization has already been submitted for CS or EV CS validation. For Code Signing and EV Code Signing certificates, providing a `verified_contact` is required^ if the organization has never been submitted for CS or EV CS validation. Note: ^*By default, if you do not specify a verified contact for a new or unvalidated organization, DigiCert attempts to add the authenticated user (the user who owns the API key in the request) as a verified contact for the organization. For detailed information about how the API handles contacts in this array, see Contact types. By default, DigiCert creates the order with the organization contact and technical contact (if one exists) assigned to the `organization` on the request. To create the order with a different organization or technical contact than those assigned to the `organization`, include the `organization_contact` or `technical_contact` object the root of the request payload.
.. .. contact_type	required	string	Contact type. Allowed values:`organization_contact`, `technical_contact`, `verified_contact` (formerly `ev_approver`^) ^Note: To identify a verified contact for the organization, use `verified_contact` instead of `ev_approver`. While the API still accepts order requests that use `ev_approver` to identify verified contacts, `ev_approver` is a legacy label chosen when the only DigiCert products that required verified contacts were EV TLS/SSL certificates. Both contact type labels (`verified_contact` and `ev_approver`) have the same meaning, but `verified_contact` uses generalized terminology applicable to every product that requires a verified contact.
.. .. user_id	conditional	string	To add an existing user as the contact, provide the user ID. For verified contacts: A `user_id` is required if your account only allows users to be added as verified contacts.To learn more, see Learn how to debit purchases against your CertCentral account balance. A job title (`job_title`) and telephone number (`telephone`) are required for verified contacts. When adding an existing user as a verified contact, make sure the user has a job title and phone number. If they don't, include a job title and phone number for the contact in your certificate order request.
.. .. first_name	required	string	First name of the contact. Character limit: 128
.. .. last_name	required	string	Last name of the contact. Character limit: 128
.. .. job_title	conditional	string	Job title of the contact. Required for verified contacts. Character limit: 64
.. .. telephone	conditional	string	Telephone number that can be used to reach the contact. Required for verified contacts. Character limit: 32
.. .. telephone_extension	optional	string	Phone extension of the contact. Character limit: 16
.. .. email	required	string	Email address that can be used to reach the contact. Character limit: 255
.. skip_duplicate_org_check	optional	bool	Use `true` to skip the check for duplicate organizations in your account. When you skip this check, you force the request to create a new organization, regardless of whether the details you provide in the request match the details of an organization that already exists in your account. Default: `false`
container	optional	object	If needed, specify the container the order should be placed under.
.. id	required	int	Container ID.
order_validity	required	object	Defines the validity period of the certificate and order.
.. years	required^*	int	Number of years the certificate and order are valid. ^Can be replaced by `order_validity.days` or `order_validity.custom_expiration_date`. Range*: `1`-`3`
.. days	optional	int	Number of days the certificate and order are valid. Overrides `order_validity.years`.
.. custom_expiration_date	optional	string	Custom expiration date for the certificate and order. Overrides `order_validity.days` and `order_validity.years`. Format: `dd MMM YYYY` (for example, `"09 JUN 2025"`)
validity_years	optional	int	Number of years the certificate and order are valid. Deprecated. Use the `order_validity` object to set the validity period of the certificate and order. Allowed values:`1` - `3`
custom_expiration_date	optional	string	Custom expiration date for the certificate and order. Overrides `validity_years` Deprecated. Use the `order_validity` object to set the validity period of the certificate and order. Format:`yyyy-MM-dd`
cs_provisioning_method	optional	string	For Code Signing or EV Code Signing orders, provisioning method for the certificate. Optional for both Code Signing and EV Code Signing certificates. If omitted, DigiCert creates the order using the default provisioning method from your CertCentral account settings. Allowed values:`ship_token`, `client_app`, `email`, `keylocker`. Learn more about code signing provisioning methods.
ship_info	optional	object	For Code Signing or EV Code Signing orders with a `cs_provisioning_method` of `ship_token`, specify the shipping address for the hardware token. Optional for both Code Signing and EV Code Signing certificates. For orders that omit the `ship_info` object, DigiCert uses the default token shipping address from your CertCentral account settings.
.. name	required	string	Name of the recipient.
.. addr1	required	string	Shipping address for the token.
.. addr2	optional	string	Secondary address field.
.. city	required	string	Shipping city.
.. state	required	string	Shipping state.
.. zip	required	string	Shipping postal code.
.. country	required	string	Shipping country.
.. method	required	string	Shipping priority for the token. Allowed values:`STANDARD`, `EXPEDITED` (incurs added cost)
subject	optional	object	Object containing subject details.
.. email	optional	string	Subject email address. Must have a validated domain. The Services API only supports the `subject.email` field for OV code signing certificates (`code_signing`). We ignore this field in order requests for EV code signing certificates (`code_signing_ev`).
custom_fields	conditional	object	Account-specific custom fields. Whether these fields are required depends on your custom field settings.
.. metadata_id	required	int	Custom field ID.
.. value	required	string	Value for the custom field. Data validation type depends on your custom field settings.
payment_method	optional	string	Payment method for the order. Allowed values: `balance` (default): Pay with account balance. Returns an error if the option to bill to account balance is disabled for the account, or if the account balance has insufficient funds. Learn how to debit purchases against your CertCentral account balance. `profile`: Pay with the account’s default credit card. Returns an error if no default credit card is configured for the account. Learn how to set up a default credit card. `card`: Pay with a new credit card. Requests that use `card` as the payment method must include a `credit_card` and `billing_address` object. Returns an error if the option to pay with a credit card is disabled for the account.
credit_card	conditional	object	Object with information about the credit card charged for the order. Required if `payment_method` is `card`.
.. number	required	string	Credit card number.
.. expiration_month	required	integer	Credit card expiration month. Format as a two-digit number between `01` (Jan) and `12` (Dec).
.. expiration_year	required	integer	Credit card expiration year. Format as a four-digit number. For example: `2026`
.. cvv	required	integer	Card verification value (CVV). Format as a three- or four-digit number. For example: `333` or `4444`
.. cardholder_name	required	string	Cardholder’s first and last name.
billing_address	conditional	object	Object with information about the billing address. Required if `payment_method` is `card`.
.. address	required	string	Billing street address.
.. address2	optional	string	Continuation of street address.
.. city	required	string	Billing city.
.. state	conditional	string	Billing state or province. Optional for some countries.
.. country	required	string	Billing country.
.. zip	conditional	string	Billing zip or postal code. Optional for some countries.
vat_number	optional	string	If the payment method is `card` (new credit card) or `profile` (default credit card), use the `vat_number` request parameter to set a value-added tax (VAT) or goods and services tax (GST) identification number for the order transaction. DigiCert includes this number on the transaction receipt as a reference for your financial records. If omitted, DigiCert uses the VAT/GST number from the finance settings for the CertCentral account. If the VAT/GST number is absent from both the order request and account settings, DigiCert doesn't store a VAT/GST number for the transaction. Note DigiCert only stores a VAT/GST number for credit card transactions. For orders using other payment methods, the `vat_number` request parameter is ignored. VAT/GST numbers are not supported for DigiCert USA and DigiCert Japan billing entities. If the billing entity for the account is DigiCert, Inc. (US) or DigiCert Japan G.K. (Japan), the `vat_number` parameter is ignored, and DigiCert doesn't store a VAT/GST number for the transaction. To learn more about your account's billing entity, contact your account manager.
alternative_order_id	optional	string	A custom alphanumeric ID to assign the order. To see the `alternative_order_id` assigned to an order, use the Order info endpoint. Alternative order IDs do not replace the unique order ID that DigiCert assigns each order request. You cannot use alternative order IDs to search for or identify orders in API calls that require an `order_id` parameter in the URL path or request body. If the Require unique alternative order IDs option is enabled in your account settings, you cannot submit order requests with an alternative order ID that is already assigned to an order in your account. Use this feature to enable nonce order requests, or to prevent your integration from creating duplicate orders in cases where you do not receive a response from the API. Account administrators can toggle this option from the CertCentral console. From the Settings > Preferences page, open the Advanced Settings menu, and look for the Alternative order ID option. This parameter is always optional, even if the Require unique alternative order IDs option is enabled in your account. If a request does not use this parameter, no `alternative_order_id` value is assigned to the order. Maximum length: 64 characters Note: The Require unique alternative order IDs option may not appear in the advanced settings menu for all CertCentral accounts. To enable this option for your account, contact your account manager or our Support team.
enable_guest_access	optional	int	Whether to enable guest access for the order. This parameter is not allowed if guest access is disabled in your account settings. Allowed values:`1` (enabled) or `0` (disabled) Default: The default configuration for new orders is determined by your account settings. Account administrators can change these settings from the Guest Access page in the CertCentral console.

Response parameters

Name	Type	Description
id	int	Order ID.
organization	object	Container for new organization details. Only returned if a new organization was created with the order.
.. id	int	Organization ID for the new organization.
requests	array	Contains information about the request.
.. id	int	Request ID.
.. status	string	Request status. Possible values:`pending`, `submitted`, `approved`, `rejected`
certificate_id	int	Certificate ID. Returned if request status is `approved`.

Contact types

Contact type	Description
`organization_contact`	Organization contact. An organization is required to have an organization contact. Organizations can only have one organization contact. If you submit an `organization.contacts` array with more than one `organization_contact`, the API uses the first one in the list and ignores the rest.
`technical_contact`	Technical contact. An organization is not required to have a technical contact. Organizations can only have one technical contact. If you submit an `organization.contacts` array with more than one `technical_contact`, the API uses the first one in the list and ignores the rest.
`verified_contact`	Before DigiCert can issue your certificate, a verified contact must approve the requestor's authority to order a certificate for the organization. An organization can have multiple verified contacts. Existing validated organizations When using an existing organization that is already validated or pending validation for CS or EV CS certificate issuance, DigiCert sends order approval emails to all CS or EV CS verified contacts for the organization. To send order approval emails to an additional `verified_contact` who is not yet validated for the organization, include that `verified_contact` in your order request.^* Unvalidated or new organizations When creating a new organization, or when using an existing organization neither validated nor pending validation for CS or EV CS certificate issuance, include information about each `verified_contact` who should be allowed to approve CS or EV CS order requests for the organization.^* By default, if you do not specify a verified contact for a new or unvalidated organization, DigiCert attempts to add the authenticated user (the user who owns the API key in the request) as a verified contact for the organization. DigiCert applies this default when: The API request body does not specify a new verified contact to add to the organization. The authenticated user has a job title and phone number. The organization in the API request has no verified contacts who can approve CS or EV CS orders. Note ^*DigiCert must validate new verified contacts before they can approve CS or EV CS orders for the organization.

Contact type

Description

organization_contact

Organization contact.

An organization is required to have an organization contact.
Organizations can only have one organization contact.
If you submit an organization.contacts array with more than one organization_contact, the API uses the first one in the list and ignores the rest.

technical_contact

Technical contact.

An organization is not required to have a technical contact.
Organizations can only have one technical contact.
If you submit an organization.contacts array with more than one technical_contact, the API uses the first one in the list and ignores the rest.

verified_contact

Before DigiCert can issue your certificate, a verified contact must approve the requestor's authority to order a certificate for the organization. An organization can have multiple verified contacts.

Existing validated organizations

When using an existing organization that is already validated or pending validation for CS or EV CS certificate issuance, DigiCert sends order approval emails to all CS or EV CS verified contacts for the organization.

To send order approval emails to an additional verified_contact who is not yet validated for the organization, include that verified_contact in your order request.^*

Unvalidated or new organizations

When creating a new organization, or when using an existing organization neither validated nor pending validation for CS or EV CS certificate issuance, include information about each verified_contact who should be allowed to approve CS or EV CS order requests for the organization.^*

By default, if you do not specify a verified contact for a new or unvalidated organization, DigiCert attempts to add the authenticated user (the user who owns the API key in the request) as a verified contact for the organization. DigiCert applies this default when:

The API request body does not specify a new verified contact to add to the organization.
The authenticated user has a job title and phone number.
The organization in the API request has no verified contacts who can approve CS or EV CS orders.

Note

^*DigiCert must validate new verified contacts before they can approve CS or EV CS orders for the organization.

CS and EV CS organization validation

Code Signing (CS) and EV Code Signing (EV CS) certificate orders must include information about the organization to associate with the code signing certificate. DigiCert must validate the organization before issuing the certificate. The following examples show three ways to add an organization to your CS or EV CS certificate order.

Use existing organization (validated)

When including an organization already submitted for CS or EV CS validation, either by itself or as part of an earlier certificate order request, you only need to include the organization's ID in your new order request:

{
  "certificate": {
    ...
  }
  "organization": {
    "id": 12345
  },
  ...
}

If needed, you can update the organization contact or technical contact and add new verified contacts to the organization. Use the organization.contacts array to provide information about each new contact. To learn more, see Contact types.

{
  "certificate": {
    ...
  }
  "organization": {
    "id": 12345,
    "contacts": [
      {
        "contact_type": "verified_contact",
        "user_id": 12345
      },
      { 
        "contact_type": "organization_contact",
        "user_id": 56789
      },
      {
        "contact_type": "technical_contact",
        "first_name": "Jane",        
        "last_name": "Doe",        
        "job_title": "Technician",      
        "telephone": "1234567890",        
        "email": "jane.doe@example.com"
      }
    ]
  },
  ...
}

Use existing organization (not validated)

When including an existing organization never submitted for CS or EV CS validation, you can submit the organization for validation as part of your certificate order request:

In the organization object, provide the id of the existing organization.
In the organization.contacts array, provide a list of verified contacts to submit as CS or EV CS approvers for the organization.
After creating the order, the organization is automatically submitted for the validation type corresponding to the chosen product (CS or EV CS).

For example:

{
  "certificate": {
    ...
  }
  "organization": {
    "id": 12345,
    "contacts": [
      {
        "contact_type": "verified_contact",
        "user_id": 12345
      }
  },
  ...
}

Use a new organization

When adding a new organization, use the organization object to provide the organization's name, location, and phone number. Make sure to include an organization_contact and at least one verified_contact (see Contact types). When you create the order, the new organization is added to your CertCentral account and submitted for CS or EV CS validation.

{
  "certificate": {
    ...
  },
  "organization": {
    "name": "New Organization",
    "assumed_name": "New Organization",
    "country": "us",
    "address": "123 Example Street",
    "address2": "Floor 08",
    "city": "Lehi",
    "state": "Utah",
    "zip": "12345",
    "telephone": "123-456-789",
    "contacts": [
     {
        "contact_type": "verified_contact",
        "first_name": "John",
        "last_name": "Doe",
        "job_title": "Technician",
        "telephone": "1234567890",
        "email": "john.doe@example.com"
      },
      {
        "contact_type": "organization_contact",
        "first_name": "Jane",
        "last_name": "Doe",
        "job_title": "Supervisor",
        "telephone": "1234567890",
        "email": "jane.doe@example.com"
      },
      {
        "contact_type": "technical_contact",
        "first_name": "Alex",
        "last_name": "Doe",
        "job_title": "Technician",
        "telephone": "1234567890",
        "email": "alex.doe@example.com"
      }
    ]
  },
  ...
}

API changes for new private key storage requirements

Starting May 16, 2023, DigiCert requires private keys for Code Signing (code_signing) certificates to be stored on hardware certified as FIPS 140 Level 2, Common Criteria EAL 4+, or equivalent. This change affects new, renewal, and reissue code signing certificate requests submitted using the CertCentral UI and the Services API.

Starting May 2, 2023:

The CertCentral Services API will accept code signing certificate requests using the new provisioning methods.
The new provisioning methods are the same provisioning methods DigiCert already supports for EV Code Signing certificates.
CertCentral administrators can choose default provisioning methods for Code Signing and EV Code Signing certificates.
DigiCert uses the default provisioning methods when we receive code signing certificate requests that do not specify a provisioning method.

Learn more about DigiCert's timeline for changes to the Code Signing workflow.

What do I need to do?

Do you use the Services API to order Code Signing certificates?

No
No action required.
Yes
Between May 2 and May 16, 2023, complete the following:
- In API clients that request or reissue Code Signing certificates, migrate your usage to the new provisioning methods. See Code Signing and EV Code Signing provisioning methods.
- Update your CertCentral account settings:
  - Select default provisioning methods for Code Signing and EV Code Signing certificates that are compatible with your workflows.
  - Confirm the default shipping address for the DigiCert-provided hardware token option.

In this section:

Order code signing certificate

Warning

Important

Code Signing and EV Code Signing provisioning methods

Note

DigiCert-provided hardware token (ship_token)

Use existing token (client_app)

Install on an HSM (email)

DigiCert KeyLocker (keylocker)

Tip

Note

Example requests and responses

Path parameters

Request parameters

Response parameters

Contact types

Note

CS and EV CS organization validation

Use existing organization (validated)

Use existing organization (not validated)

Use a new organization

API changes for new private key storage requirements

What do I need to do?

Search results

DigiCert-provided hardware token (`ship_token`)

Use existing token (`client_app`)

Install on an HSM (`email`)

DigiCert KeyLocker (`keylocker`)