It is increasingly important to have a digital certificate to guarantee your identity on the Internet. It is something that, for paperwork, or to present official documents, you have to have. But how to request a digital certificate?
If you have never done this process before, and yet you are interested, then we are going to give you all the keys so that you can have it on your computer and thus access the procedures that many official pages allow you to do online. Go for it?
Ways to request a digital certificate
In Spain, there are several ways to request a digital certificate. There is not just one but you have a choice. Most of them are public, that is, they will not cost you anything; but there is also a private option that may be interesting to consider.
Request the digital certificate online through the FNMT
FNMT stands for Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre, a public entity that issues digital certificates recognized by most public administrations and companies in Spain.
You can request a digital certificate online through the FNMT website, following the steps indicated on their website. This was, in its day, the most used method. And even now it is because it is the fastest.
Application in person at FNMT offices
If you prefer to apply in person, you can go to one of the FNMT offices throughout Spain. There you must present your identity document and other additional documents, depending on the type of certificate you need.
As we talk about the digital certificate, In this case, just your ID is more than enough.
Request through collaborating entities
In case you don't know, The FNMT also has a network of collaborating entities, such as banks or certification companies, which can manage the certificate request on your behalf. To do this, you must present the required documentation and pay the corresponding fee.
Application through other issuing entities
In addition to the FNMT, there are other entities that issue recognized digital certificates in Spain, such as the Legal Certification Authority (ACA) or the Chamber of Commerce. Each entity may have its own process and requirements for the digital certificate request.
Through the electronic ID
Another option, which not many use, is the electronic DNI. In case you don't know, when you do it, inside the chip that appears on it you have a digital certificate.
Actually, you do not have to request it, but it already comes "as standard". In other words, in addition to physically identifying yourself, it also has certificates that you can install on your computer to be able to work with it.
However, like the rest of the certificates, it also has an expiration date.. Approximately 2 years after having renewed the DNI, the certificates expire, although you can renew it by going to any police station to insert it into the machine they have installed and requesting their renewal.
Of course, we warn you that if it does not allow it, the only option to renew the certificates is to obtain a new electronic ID (and therefore pay the fees again). Or using any of the previous methods that we have mentioned.
Electroniccertificate.es
Finally, another way to request a digital certificate is through this web page. It came out relatively recently and allows you to obtain the certificate 100% online and in a matter of minutes.
When the web was born, you had the option of getting it free for 14 days, and then you had two types of prices. However, now there is only one, for €14,95 a year, which will be the validity of that certificate.
The big difference is that you can do it directly online, without the need to go to any branch (something that happens when you ask for it at the Fábrica de Moneda y Timbre if you do not have an active electronic DNI).
How to request the digital certificate through the FNMT online
As we want to help you so that requesting the digital certificate is not complicated, we leave you below the steps to do it through the FNMT online. Take note:
Access the FNMT website (https://www.sede.fnmt.gob.es) and select the "Obtain the certificate" option in the "Citizens" section.
Select the type of digital certificate you wish to request, according to your needs. The FNMT offers different types of certificates, such as the certificate for a natural person, the certificate for a legal person or the certificate for a representative of a legal person. If it is your particular case, it would be that of a natural person.
Read the instructions carefully and follow the steps indicated. You will need to provide personal information, such as your name, surname, DNI or NIE, email and telephone.
Identify yourself securely through one of the means of identification available, such as Cl@ve, digital certificate or electronic DNI (this allows you to carry out the process 100% online without having to travel). If you do not have any of them, you can obtain an application code online and present it at an office of the FNMT or collaborating entity. In fact, you can check which offices are near you to go, normally, from the next day.
Verify your personal data and confirm the request. Next, you must download and install the digital certificate on your computer, following the instructions provided by the FNMT. Make sure that you do it on the same computer with which you requested the certificate, otherwise it will give you an error and you will have to start over.
Digital certificate with the electronic ID
In the case of the electronic DNI, as we have told you before, it already has the digital certificate inside. However, when installing it can be a bit complicated.
To do this, you must have an electronic DNI reader as well as the DNI software (which you can obtain on the National Police website (https://www.dnielectronico.es/descarga.html).
As soon as you install it and connect the DNI, the software will detect it and you will get a menu so you can install the certificate.
Keep in mind that digital certificates are not forever. They actually have an expiration date. According to Law 6/2020 on trusted electronic services, certificates should not last more than 5 years, and in most cases the period is 2-3 years.
Is it now clear to you how to request a digital certificate?