If you need a digital certificate in Spain for things like signing documents or accessing government services online, here’s what you need to do:
- 1. Pick a Certificate Provider
- – The main place most people use is FNMT (Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre). But there are other options like Camerfirma or ACCV if you prefer.
- 2. Request the Certificate Online
- – Go to the website of the provider you choose.
- – You’ll fill out a form with your info (like your DNI or NIE, name, and email).
- – They might ask you to download a little program or a browser add-on. This is what creates the private key that stays on your computer.
- 3. Prove Your Identity
- – In Person: After you submit the online form, you need to go and show your ID at a specific office. If you’re using FNMT, this could be at a Tax Office (Agencia Tributaria) or a Social Security office.
- 4. Download and Install the Certificate
- – Once your identity is verified, they’ll send you an email with instructions on how to download your certificate.
- – Make sure you download it on the same computer where you first applied. That’s because the private key you generated earlier is tied to that device.
- 5. Back It Up
- – After installing, export your certificate and save it somewhere safe, like an external drive or a cloud service (but make sure it’s encrypted and secure).
- – Protect it with a strong password, just in case.
- 6. Use It on Multiple Devices
- – If you want to use your certificate on another computer or device, just import the backup you made. Follow the same steps as when you first installed it.
- – Keep everything secure and don’t share your certificate with anyone.
- 7. Start Using It
- – Now you can use your certificate to do things like sign documents, log in to government websites, or prove your identity online.
- 8. Keep an Eye on Expiration
- – These certificates have an expiry date, so make sure you renew it before it expires so you can continue to access anything important.
- – And if you ever lose it or it gets compromised, you can revoke it through the same provider’s website.
And that’s it! Once you’re set-up, it’s pretty smooth sailing.
