A business example
A company employee holds a valid DSC but is not authorised to sign the filing being prepared.
Certificate holder
The DSC identifies the individual associated with the signing credentials.
Entity authority
The company checks who is authorised for this particular filing.
Signing decision
The appropriately authorised person signs using valid credentials.
What this shows
Identity and authority are two separate checks. Possession of a working certificate does not grant every corporate signing power.
What it is often confused with
Possessing a DSC does not itself give authority to sign every document for an entity.
What to look at in your business
Verify the holder, validity, permitted use and underlying authorisation.
Context and further reading
This entry explains the business term. The related guide below provides the next layer of context; any applicable legal test depends on the transaction and relevant period.
Kosha.Services · Updated 2 October 2026