All about EPF E-sign and Digital Signature letter approval process
All about EPF E-sign and Digital Signature letter approval process
Process for Getting DSC Approved: From Submission to Approval
To get a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) approved by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), employers must follow a detailed and structured process. Below are the step-by-step guidelines, starting from the submission of the DSC request letter to the final approval.
1. Submission of the DSC/E-Sign Request Letter
- Log in to the Unified Portal under the establishment’s login section.
- Navigate to the DSC/E-Sign request submission page.
- Download the DSC/E-Sign request letter template from the portal.
- Complete the request letter, which includes:
- Three specimen signatures of the intended signatory placed in the designated space.
- The letter must be properly countersigned by the employer (whose name must be legibly placed below the signature).
- Ensure the employer’s stamp/seal is affixed on the letter.
2. Attach the Required Documents
- In addition to the DSC request letter, prepare the following attachments:
- For the Employer: Aadhaar card with address and photograph.
- For an Authorised Signatory: UAN card with photograph or Aadhaar card with address and photograph.
- Ensure that the establishment’s Form 5A (Return of Ownership) is up to date. If not, upload the latest Form 5A along with the DSC request letter.
3. Creation of a Combined PDF
- Once all the documents (DSC request letter, identity proofs[aadhar], and Form 5A) are ready, combine them into a single PDF file for easier verification.
- Ensure the DSC/E-Sign request letter includes the reference letter number generated by the portal.
4. Submission of the Combined PDF
- Upload the combined PDF file on the Unified Portal under the DSC request section.
- Check that the reference letter number mentioned in the DSC/E-Sign request matches the one in the system.
- Do not resubmit any previously rejected DSC request letters, as this may lead to further delays.
5. Verification of Aadhaar
- The DA at the field office will be required to verify the validity of the Aadhaar card submitted with the DSC/E-Sign request letter using the Aadhaar verification link: Aadhaar Validation.
6. Processing Timeline
- The request is processed in two stages, with set timelines for each:
- DA Level: The Data Assistant (DA) will process the request within 5 working days (T+5).
- APFC/RPFC-II Level: The Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) or Regional Provident Fund Commissioner (RPFC-II) will complete their review within 15 working days (T+15).
7. Final Approval and Form 5A Submission
- Once the DSC is approved by the EPFO, the establishment must ensure the electronic submission of Form 5A is completed if not already done.
- The establishment can then use the DSC/E-Sign for submission of statutory returns and other relevant documents.
By adhering to this process, establishments can ensure a smooth and timely approval of their DSC, preventing any unnecessary delays or rejections.
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