GeoTrust True BusinessID is an organisation-validated (OV) SSL certificate. Before it is issued, the certificate authority checks not only that you control the domain but also that your business is a real, registered organisation. That extra vetting is why an OV certificate carries more trust weight than a basic domain-validated product, and why it takes a little longer to issue.
At a glance
- Validation type: Organisation Validation (OV)
- Issuance time: 1 to 3 days (because the CA verifies your organisation, not just the domain)
- Warranty: $1,250,000
- Encryption: outstanding 256-bit encryption, signed with a 2048-bit root
- Reissue: unlimited during the certificate term
- Site seal: Dynamic GeoTrust Smart Site Seal
- Subdomains: not covered (single hostname; this is not a wildcard)
- Green address bar: not applicable (that was an EV feature and browsers have since retired it)
- Browser compatibility: 99.9%
- Mobile: full mobile compatibility
- Money-back guarantee: 15 days
What organisation validation actually means
With a domain-validated certificate, the CA only confirms that you can control the domain, usually through an email or DNS check. With True BusinessID the CA goes further and verifies that your company exists as a legal entity. That is the reason issuance takes 1 to 3 days rather than minutes, and it is the reason the certificate details can display your organisation name to anyone who inspects them. For a business, an agency, or an e-commerce site, that verified identity is the practical benefit you are paying for.
DV domain only issued in minutes OV organisation checked issued 1 to 3 days True BusinessID is here EV extended checks most rigorous more trust and identity assurance as you move rightEncryption and compatibility
True BusinessID delivers 256-bit session encryption and is signed with a 2048-bit root key, which meets current industry expectations for a public certificate. The Smart Site Seal is dynamic, meaning visitors can click it to see live verification details rather than a static image. Coverage is broad: roughly 99.9% browser compatibility and full support on mobile devices, so you should not run into "not secure" warnings on mainstream browsers or phones. If you want to sanity-check your server's protocol and cipher settings after installation, Mozilla's SSL configuration generator is a good neutral reference.
Things to keep in mind
- One hostname. This certificate secures a single fully qualified name and does not cover subdomains. If you need to secure many subdomains under one certificate, choose a wildcard product instead.
- No green address bar. That visual cue belonged to EV certificates, and major browsers removed it years ago, so its absence here is normal and not a downgrade.
- Unlimited reissues. You can reissue the certificate as often as you need during its term, for example after a private-key change or a server move, at no extra cost.
- 15-day money-back guarantee. If it is not the right fit, you can request a refund within 15 days.
Ordering and installation
You can order True BusinessID and our other certificate options from the SSL certificates page. Because it is organisation-validated, have your company registration details ready so the CA can complete verification inside the 1 to 3 day window. Once the certificate is issued you install it on the site's dedicated IP; if you run several sites on separate IPs with us, each certificate is installed against the hostname it protects. For more questions about certificate types, validation and installation, see the SSL certificates FAQ, or contact our team if you are unsure which product suits your setup.
