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⚡ EV-grade trust — no corporation needed · Sole Proprietor EV Code Signing
Certificates › Code Signing › Sole Proprietor EV
Code Signing · Sole Proprietor EV

Instant SmartScreen reputation — no corporation required

EV-grade code signing for solo commercial developers who haven't incorporated.

EV Sole Proprietor Code Signing bridges the gap between IV (individual) and standard EV (requires a registered company). It's designed for commercial developers operating as sole proprietors — giving you EV-level validation, instant Microsoft SmartScreen reputation, and a FIPS hardware token, without the need to form a corporation.

✓ EV-grade validation ✓ Instant SmartScreen reputation ✓ No incorporation required ✓ FIPS hardware token
sign://yourapp.exe
EV
Code Signing
SSL.com · EV Sole Prop · Extended validation code signing
Signs
EXE · MSI · DLL
Validation
EV Sole Prop
Token
✓ EV Token
SmartScreen
Instant trust
Sole prop EV
Instant SmartScreen trust
Time-stamping
Get EV Code Signing on ssl.com →
Sole Proprietor EV Code Signing
from $299/yr
No company needed · EV-grade
  • EV-grade validation for sole proprietors
  • Instant SmartScreen reputation
  • FIPS 140-2 hardware token
  • No registered company required
  • Sign EXE, MSI, DLL, MSIX and scripts
  • RFC 3161 time-stamping
Get Sole Prop EV → Compare Code Signing tiers
Secure checkout on SSL.com · 256-bit encrypted

What is a Sole Proprietor EV Code Signing Certificate?

A Sole Proprietor EV Code Signing certificate is an EV-grade code signing certificate designed for commercial developers who operate as sole traders or sole proprietors — without a registered corporation. It applies the same rigorous Extended Validation process but adapts it for individual commercial developers. The result: instant Microsoft SmartScreen reputation from the first signed download, with a FIPS hardware token for secure key storage.

Why choose EV Sole Proprietor Code Signing

Instant SmartScreen trust for individuals

Instant SmartScreen reputation — no reputation build-up period
EV-grade identity validation without a corporation
Solo commercial developers can access EV signing
FIPS 140-2 hardware token for secure key storage
Strong trust signal for end-users on first install
Works for Windows installer signing and scripts
Who is it for

EV benefits without forming a company

Registered sole traders

Verified via tax or business registration

Freelance devs with a tax ID

SmartScreen trust without an LLC

Independent software consultants

Professional distribution

Self-employed engineers

Signing Windows & macOS software

Business impact

The fastest path to trusted software

Instant SmartScreen reputation

EV certificates carry immediate Microsoft SmartScreen trust — OV certificates must build reputation over time, which can take months.

Verified without forming a company

Your registered sole-proprietor status is embedded in the certificate — no LLC or corporation required.

Hardware-secured private key

FIPS-certified token protects your signing key even if your computer is compromised — mandatory for EV.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Why not just get standard EV Code Signing?
Standard EV Code Signing requires a registered legal entity (LLC, Corp, etc.). Sole Proprietor EV is designed specifically for developers who operate as unincorporated sole traders and cannot meet that requirement.
Is the SmartScreen reputation really instant?
Yes — EV-signed binaries receive Microsoft SmartScreen reputation from the first download. OV-signed binaries must build reputation over time through successful installs. This difference is significant for new software releases.
What validation is required?
Extended Validation adapted for sole proprietors — the CA verifies your personal identity and commercial activity as a sole trader. This typically takes longer than OV: expect 3–7 business days.
What is a FIPS hardware token?
A FIPS 140-2 certified hardware security token that stores your private key. Industry rules require it for all EV code signing. SSL.com ships the token with the certificate and guides you through setup.
When should I upgrade to standard EV?
If you incorporate your business, upgrade to standard EV Code Signing — it will carry your company name instead of your personal name, which builds more brand recognition in signed binaries.

Instant SmartScreen trust — even as a solo developer

Sole Proprietor EV Code Signing — no corporation needed, EV-grade reputation from day one.

Get Sole Prop EV →Compare all plans