The Citizen Certificate and electronic identity


The citizen certificate is available on the ID card’s chip. It can be used to, for example, log in to official e-services or make electronic signatures. ID card applications are submitted to the police. The Digital and Population Data Services Agency advises on how to start using the Citizen Certificate.

 

Citizen Certificate and ordering an ID card

The Citizen Certificate is contained in the ID card. If you wish to use a Citizen Certificate but do not have an ID card, submit an ID card application to the police.

Instructions for activating a Citizen Certificate on an ID card

If you want to use an ID card’s Citizen Certificate in e-services, you must first activate it. If you do not intend to use your ID card for electronic transactions, you do not need to activate it.

HelpDesk

Public Service Info provides advice on the introduction, use and most common problem situations of an ID card.

Certificate revocation service (open 24 hours)

If your ID card is lost, revoke the Citizen Certificate in the revocation service so that no one can misuse it. The revocation service operates around the clock every day of the year.

Download card reader software

You will need a card reader software if you use an ID card on your PC. You can download the card reader software free of charge for Windows, Linux and Mac operating systems.

Problems with PIN codes and changing a PIN code  

If your PIN code is forgotten, locked, or needs to be changed, you can change it yourself.

Test the use of a Citizen Certificate

In the certificates test service, you can test identification and making an electronic signature with an ID card’s Citizen Certificate.

Electronic signature of a PDF document

An ID card allows you to make a Qualified Electronic Signature that is legally binding and undisputed.

Identification and signature certificates issued by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency meet the requirements under Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 and the Act on Strong Electronic Identification and Electronic Signatures (617/2009). The aim is to ensure high standards of information security and accurate identification in e-services. The Digital and Population Data Services Agency is a provider of an identification service that satisfies the requirements for high standards in its production of certificate-based identification tools. The Agency is, Finland’s first and, for now, only provider of signature certificates that are of an acceptable standard. Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom oversees the work of the CA.

Population of Finland 5 646 980