There is no government-fixed price
The Government does not set a single price for a Digital Signature Certificate. Each licensed Certifying Authority, and each partner who sells on its behalf, sets its own rate. That is why two quotes for "the same" DSC can look very different.
What you are really paying for
A quote usually bundles several things. It helps to see them separately:
- The **certificate** itself (Class 3, for the validity you choose)
- Whether it is **signing only** or **signing + encryption**
- The **USB token** the certificate is stored on (a one-time hardware cost)
- Any **assisted service** or support the seller adds
What changes the price
- **Validity:** a 3-year certificate costs more upfront than a 1-year one, but less per year.
- **Type:** a combo (sign + encrypt) costs more than signing alone.
- **Individual vs organisation:** organisation certificates generally cost more because more is verified.
- **Token:** if you already own a compatible FIPS-certified token, you can reuse it and pay only for the certificate.
"Free" digital signatures
Be careful with offers of a free DSC. A genuine certificate has a real cost behind it — identity verification, the licensed authority's fees and the hardware token. "Free" usually means the cost has been moved somewhere else in the deal.
Renewal
A certificate cannot be extended; when it expires you buy a fresh one and verify your identity again, as the CCA requires. If your token is still good, renewal costs less because you are not buying hardware again.
Honest comparison
We are building a clear, side-by-side price guide. Until the live rate card is connected, this page explains the cost drivers rather than quoting a number that might be out of date.