SSL.com IV Code Signing Certificate
Verify your identity as an individual software developer and sign supported Windows software under your verified personal name. No registered business entity is required.
Check Official SSL.com PricingSSL.com currently lists the one year IV Code Signing Certificate at $129. Longer purchase terms reduce the annualized rate.
What Is SSL.com IV Code Signing?
IV stands for Individual Validation. Unlike an OV Code Signing Certificate, which validates a business organization, an IV certificate validates the identity of an individual developer.
Designed for individual developers
SSL.com positions IV Code Signing for independent developers, open source maintainers, freelancers, students and hobbyists who distribute software under their own personal identity.
The certificate lets a developer establish a verified publisher identity without first creating a registered company.
No registered business required
A business entity is not required for IV Code Signing. This is the main distinction from organization validated Code Signing.
If your software is published under a registered company name, an OV Code Signing Certificate may be more appropriate because it validates and displays the organization’s identity.
SSL.com IV Code Signing Certificate at a Glance
The certificate combines individual identity validation with protected key storage and Windows software signing support.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Certificate type | Individual Validation |
| Issuer | SSL.com |
| Intended user | Individual software developer |
| Business entity required | No |
| Identity displayed | Verified individual name |
| One year price | $129/year |
| Two year annual rate | $116.10/year |
| Three year annual rate | $109.65/year |
| Four year annual rate | $103.20/year |
| Five year annual rate | $96.75/year |
| Key protection | Hardware token, HSM or eSigner for Code |
| YubiKey option | $379 |
| Cloud signing | SSL.com eSigner for Code |
| Windows Authenticode | Supported |
| CI/CD | Supported through eSigner for Code |
| Timestamping | Supported |
| macOS native application signing | Apple Developer ID certificate required |
How Much Does SSL.com IV Code Signing Cost?
SSL.com's current official pricing provides lower annualized rates for longer purchase terms. The one year option is $129, while the annualized rate decreases as the purchase term increases.
| Purchase term | Annual price |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $129.00/year |
| 2 years | $116.10/year |
| 3 years | $109.65/year |
| 4 years | $103.20/year |
| 5 years | $96.75/year |
Price distinction: The certificate price does not automatically include every signing infrastructure option. SSL.com separately lists a YubiKey option at $379, while eSigner for Code is offered as a separate cloud signing service.
How SSL.com IV Code Signing Works
The signing process creates a cryptographic association between your software, your protected private key and the certificate that verifies your identity.
When the signed software is verified, the signature can be checked against the certificate and the software content. Developers can use a code signature verification workflow to confirm that the file has not changed since signing. If the signed content has been modified, the signature no longer matches the content.
SSL.com IV Code Signing Validation
IV Code Signing validates the identity of the individual rather than a company. SSL.com states that government issued identification is required for individual identity validation.
Individual identity
The certificate validates the identity of the developer applying in an individual capacity.
Government issued ID
SSL.com requires government issued identification for individual identity validation.
No company required
You can apply without establishing a registered business entity.
Standard validation included
SSL.com currently lists standard validation as included with the certificate.
Expedited validation
An expedited validation option is available for an additional fee.
Verified publisher identity
The signed software can be associated with the verified individual identity represented by the certificate.
Do You Need a Company for SSL.com IV Code Signing?
No. Not having a registered business is one of the primary reasons to choose an IV Code Signing Certificate.
Choose IV when you publish under your own name
IV is designed for developers who distribute software under their verified personal identity. It is a practical option when there is no registered company behind the software.
Consider OV when you publish under a company
If your software is distributed under a registered organization, an OV Code Signing Certificate may be more appropriate because the organization is the identity being validated.
SSL.com IV Code Signing Private Key Protection
SSL.com provides multiple approaches to protected storage, and signing software without exposing the private key remains a core requirement when choosing between physical hardware and cloud based signing.
Hardware Token
A physical FIPS USB token can protect the private signing key for controlled manual signing.
Cloud HSM
eSigner for Code provides cloud based HSM backed signing for automated software delivery.
Bring Your Own HSM
SSL.com lists customer managed cloud and on premises HSM options subject to its attestation process and applicable fees.
Controlled signing
Protected key storage reduces the risk of exposing the credential used to authenticate software releases.
Manual workflows
A hardware token can fit occasional workstation based signing.
Automated workflows
eSigner can fit frequent automated software releases and CI/CD environments.
SSL.com IV Code Signing With a YubiKey
SSL.com currently lists a YubiKey option for protecting the private signing key. The supplied product research lists the current price at $379 per token.
The hardware option is separate from the IV certificate price. Confirm the current hardware model and availability with SSL.com before purchase.
A hardware token is particularly useful for developers who sign releases manually from a controlled workstation and do not need cloud based automated signing.
SSL.com IV Code Signing With eSigner for Code
eSigner for Code is SSL.com’s cloud based signing service backed by an HSM. This cloud code signing approach can remove the need to attach a physical USB token to a build machine and is especially useful for automated releases.
Designed for automation
eSigner can integrate with CI/CD infrastructure so software can be signed as part of a controlled release pipeline while the private key remains protected by the signing service.
Supported certificate types
SSL.com currently supports IV, OV, EV and Sole Proprietor EV Code Signing certificates with its eSigner for Code service.
SSL.com eSigner for Code Pricing
eSigner for Code is an additional signing service and is not included in the IV certificate price.
| Tier | Monthly price | Included signings | Credentials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $15/month | 240 | 1 |
| Tier 2 | $63.75/month | 1,200 | 5 |
| Tier 3 | $131.25/month | 3,600 | 9 |
| Tier 4 | $187.50/month | 12,000 | 13 |
Important: These are additional eSigner for Code service costs, not the price of the SSL.com IV Code Signing Certificate.
SSL.com IV Code Signing for CI/CD
For frequent automated releases, teams can integrate eSigner for Code into a controlled CI/CD code signing workflow without physically connecting a USB token to the build server.
Supported environments include: GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins and Azure DevOps.
SSL.com IV Code Signing for Windows
For Windows releases, developers can use IV Code Signing with Microsoft Authenticode to sign EXE files and other supported binaries.
EXE
Sign supported Windows executable applications.
MSI
Sign supported Windows installer packages.
DLL
Sign supported Windows libraries.
Installers
Sign supported installer packages before distribution.
Scripts
Use supported Authenticode signing workflows for scripts.
Other Authenticode binaries
Verify exact current format support for a specific file type before publishing compatibility claims.
How to Sign an EXE With SSL.com IV Code Signing
Microsoft SignTool can be used for signing and verification of supported Windows software. The exact command depends on your protected key storage and signing configuration.
Production sequence: Build → Test → Sign → Timestamp → Verify → Publish.
Does SSL.com IV Code Signing Guarantee SmartScreen Approval?
No. Reputation builds over time.
SSL.com's current IV product information states that SmartScreen reputation develops over time based on the clean download history of signed software. A new IV certificate can initially encounter SmartScreen warnings while reputation develops.
What the certificate does
The certificate establishes a verified publisher identity and allows supported software to be digitally signed.
What it does not guarantee
It does not guarantee immediate SmartScreen reputation or promise that every download will be free of warnings.
Does SSL.com IV Code Signing Work for macOS Applications?
Not for native Apple application signing. SSL.com states that macOS application signing requires an Apple Developer ID certificate issued through Apple's developer program.
Do not treat IV as an Apple signing replacement
SSL.com IV Code Signing supports Windows Authenticode workflows, but a generic Code Signing Certificate should not be represented as replacing Apple's own Developer ID or platform signing infrastructure.
Why Timestamp SSL.com IV Signed Software?
A trusted timestamp on signed software provides evidence of when the signature was created, which matters because a Code Signing Certificate has a finite validity period.
Preserve signing time
A trusted timestamp provides an independent time reference for the signing event rather than relying only on the certificate's current validity.
Production best practice
SSL.com explicitly recommends timestamping at signing time. For production releases, use the sequence Sign → Timestamp → Verify.
SSL.com IV vs OV Code Signing
The key difference is the identity being validated. IV validates an individual developer, while OV validates an organization.
| Feature | SSL.com IV | SSL.com OV |
|---|---|---|
| Validation | Individual | Organization |
| Business required | No | Yes |
| Identity displayed | Individual's verified name | Organization's verified name |
| Target user | Independent developer | Software company |
| Open source developer | Suitable | Usually unnecessary unless operating through an organization |
| Windows signing | Yes | Yes |
| Hardware key | Supported | Supported |
| eSigner | Supported | Supported |
| CI/CD | Supported | Supported |
| macOS native signing | No | No |
| Best suited for | Individuals | Businesses and ISVs |
IV vs SSL.com Sole Proprietor EV Code Signing
SSL.com also offers an EV Code Signing Certificate for Sole Proprietors. It is a different product intended for individuals who need EV level capabilities.
| Feature | IV Code Signing | Sole Proprietor EV |
|---|---|---|
| Individual validation | Yes | Yes |
| Registered business required | No | No |
| EV validation | No | Yes |
| Kernel mode driver signing | No | Yes |
| Intended use | Standard software signing | Higher assurance and driver signing |
| Current listed price | $129/year | $359/year |
| Hardware or eSigner | Yes | Yes |
Choosing between them: IV is the standard individual option. Sole Proprietor EV becomes more relevant when an individual specifically needs EV level capabilities such as the documented kernel mode driver signing use case.
Who Should Buy SSL.com IV Code Signing?
The strongest differentiator is simple: you need to sign software under your verified personal identity and you do not need to establish a company.
Independent Developers
Release desktop software under your own name without registering a business entity.
Open Source Maintainers
Sign release binaries and provide users with a verifiable publisher identity.
Freelance Developers
Distribute applications and utilities to customers using your verified personal identity.
Students
Publish software independently without establishing a company first.
Hobbyists
Sign supported applications and establish a verified publisher identity for releases.
Individual Software Publishers
Choose individual validation when the software is not being published under a registered organization.
Hardware Token or eSigner for SSL.com IV Code Signing?
The better option depends on how frequently you release software and where the signing operation needs to happen.
Choose a hardware token when
- You sign releases manually.
- You use a controlled workstation.
- You do not need continuous automated signing.
- You want a physical signing device under your control.
Choose eSigner when
- You release software frequently.
- You need CI/CD integration.
- You use GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins or Azure DevOps.
- You do not want a physical token attached to a build server.
SSL.com IV Code Signing Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Validation | Individual Validation |
| Identity | Individual developer |
| Business entity | Not required |
| Starting price | $129/year |
| Key storage | Hardware token, HSM or eSigner |
| YubiKey | $379 |
| Cloud signing | eSigner for Code |
| RSA | 2048, 3072 and 4096 bit |
| ECC | P-256 and P-384 |
| Authenticode | Supported |
| CI/CD | Supported through eSigner |
| Timestamping | Supported |
| macOS native app signing | Apple Developer ID required instead |
Tools Compatible With SSL.com IV Code Signing
SSL.com currently documents compatibility with common software signing tools, including Microsoft SignTool, osslsigncode and jsign.
SignTool
Microsoft's command line signing and verification utility for supported Windows software.
osslsigncode
A signing utility used for supported Authenticode workflows.
jsign
A tool used for supported software signing workflows.
SSL.com IV Code Signing FAQs
What is SSL.com IV Code Signing Certificate?
It is an Individual Validated Code Signing Certificate that verifies a developer's personal identity and can be used to digitally sign supported software.
How much does SSL.com IV Code Signing cost?
The current one year price is $129. SSL.com also lists annualized rates of $116.10 for two years, $109.65 for three years, $103.20 for four years and $96.75 for five years.
Do I need a company to get SSL.com IV Code Signing?
No. IV Code Signing is designed for individuals and does not require a registered business entity.
Can I use SSL.com IV Code Signing for EXE files?
Yes. SSL.com states that IV certificates support Microsoft Authenticode executable signing.
Can I use IV Code Signing for MSI installers?
Yes, where the signing workflow supports Microsoft Authenticode signing of the installer.
Do I need a hardware token?
You need protected key storage, but SSL.com provides more than one option. You can use a supported hardware token, HSM or eSigner for Code cloud signing.
How much is the SSL.com YubiKey option?
The supplied current product research lists the YubiKey option at $379. This is separate from the certificate price.
Can I use SSL.com IV Code Signing with GitHub Actions?
Yes. SSL.com lists GitHub Actions among the CI/CD environments supported through eSigner for Code.
Can I use SSL.com IV Code Signing to sign macOS applications?
No. SSL.com states that macOS application signing requires an Apple Developer ID certificate from Apple.
Does SSL.com IV Code Signing guarantee SmartScreen approval?
No. SmartScreen reputation develops over time and a new certificate can initially have limited reputation.
Is IV Code Signing suitable for a software company?
Usually, an OV Code Signing Certificate is more appropriate when software is published by a registered organization because the organization's verified name is associated with the certificate.
What is the difference between IV and Sole Proprietor EV Code Signing?
IV provides individual validation for standard Code Signing. SSL.com’s Sole Proprietor EV Code Signing Certificate provides EV level validation for individuals and supports use cases such as kernel mode driver signing.
Can I use eSigner for Code with an IV certificate?
Yes. SSL.com currently supports IV, OV, EV and Sole Proprietor EV Code Signing certificates with its eSigner for Code cloud signing service.
Does SSL.com IV Code Signing support timestamping?
Yes. Timestamping is supported and SSL.com recommends timestamping signed software at signing time.
Which CI/CD platforms can use eSigner for Code?
SSL.com lists GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins and Azure DevOps among supported CI/CD environments.
Check the Current SSL.com IV Code Signing Offering
Review the current $129 one year price, individual validation requirements, hardware options and eSigner workflow directly with SSL.com before purchasing.
Visit Official SSL.com IV Code Signing