Telephone Verification

Telephone Verification is yet another requirement for an Extended Validation SSL Certificate. You must have an active telephone number listed in an acceptable telephone directory. The listing must match the exact information given on your certificate and Enrollment Form (i.e. business name with corporate identifier and physical address).

Completing Telephone Verification

As with many of the other requirements (Physical Address, Operational Existence, Organization Authentication) the Certificate Authorities will first attempt to verify this information using an Online Government Database. If the database in your local municipality, state or country has your company's phone number listed along with all of its other information then you'll complete this requirement easily.

Unfortunately, the majority of online government databases do not display this information.

Don't worry, there are still multiple ways to satisfy this requirement.

Alternative Ways to Complete Telephone Verification

If the CA can't verify your telephone number online, there are three other methods you can use to satisfy this requirement.

  • Third-Party Telephone Listing – You can use an existing telephone listing in a third-party directory. Acceptable directories include the YellowPages, Scoot and 192.com. But keep in mind, all the details in the listing must match the information on your company's certificate and Enrollment Form.

    NOTE: Comodo only accepts third-party telephone listings from Dun and Bradstreet or the Better Business Bureau (US businesses only).

  • Dun & Bradstreet – You can also use a Dun & Bradstreet credit report to verify the telephone number associated with your company. Dun & Bradstreet is a large company that does credit reports on businesses and the CA's are willing to use the information they compile in order to verify specific details during the Extended Validation vetting process. DUNS Credit Reports can also be used to verify Physical Address and Operational Existence.
  • POL – Finally, you can use a Legal Opinion Letter – sometimes called a Professional Opinion Letter, or POL – to verify your company's telephone number. This is especially useful if your company doesn't publically display its phone number in any directories or listings. A POL is a document signed by an attorney or accountant that vouches for the legitimacy of your company. It can be used to satisfy every requirement except the Enrollment Form.