What is a digital certificate?

In the following lines we are going to talk about what a digital certificate is and what are the advantages of having one. In addition, we will explain from which website you can request one to use it in different public administrations. Learn everything you need to know about digital certificates here.

What is a digital certificate?

A digital certificate is a signed file that reveals the identity of the user in front of the PC or mobile device. In other words, it is like a DNI (National Identity Document), but that you can use on web pages.

Thanks to the digital certificate you will be able to confirm who you are and what your personal data are, without having to physically go to an administration office and provide your ID to a public official. How is this possible?

With the digital certificate, the site is certain that it is really you who is carrying out a procedure. Within not only your data is included, but also a digital signature from a trusted entity.

Where to request a digital certificate

After explaining what a digital certificate is, it’s time to show you where you can request your own.

There are two ways to generate a new digital certificate. One of them is to prove your identity at a physical headquarters of a collaborating administration. To achieve this, it is first necessary to download a program on the computer to complete the application. The body itself explains the steps to follow.

The second method is with the DNIe. This page explains all the requirements. There are some basic requirements, such as having a compatible reader. If the NFC reader of an Android mobile is used, it is mandatory to use Firefox.

What can you use the digital certificate for?

Once you have the digital certificate on your computer, you can take advantage of it in the following cases:

• Presentation and settlement of taxes
• Presentation of appeals and claims
• Completion of data from the population and housing census
• Consultation and registration in the municipal register
• Consultation of traffic fines
• Consultation and procedures for application for subsidies
• Consultation of allocation of polling stations
• Reported actions
• Electronic signature of official documents and forms