Types of certificate available

As a Certification Authority, the Banque de France issues digital certificates to its partners to secure information exchanges using authentication, signature and encryption functions:

  • The authentication function verifies the identity of an individual accessing a protected resource.
  • The signature function guarantees that the information has been created by a specific person and has not been modified since.
  • The encryption function guarantees that the information exchanged remains confidential.

Digital certificates are files that allow holders to access high trust level cryptographic functions. The cryptographic elements can take the form of software (password protected) or a physical device (smartcard or smart key for very high-level security). The procedure for providing certificates to holders is highly secure.

Certificates are use-specific, and the Banque de France Certification Authority has built up a complete range, including:

  • Strong personal authentication: high trust level authentication smartcard
  • Strong personal signature: advanced digital signature smartcard
  • Simple authentication and personal signature: certificate software for authentication and digital signature
  • Encryption: certificate software for encryption (e.g. for encrypting emails)

The following documents can be found on the Banque de France Certification Authority publication page:

  • Certification Policy, Declaration of the Certification practices of the Banque de France Certification Authority, and description of different profiles and certificate types
  • Certification Authority certificates (chain of trust)
  • List of revoked certificates
  • Terms and Conditions for Using Certificates Issued by the Banque de France Certification Authority

How to obtain a certificate

Certificates issued by the Banque de France Certification Authority are intended for Banque de France partners and customers. Your Banque de France business contact will tell you how to request and use your certificate.

Banque de France Certification Authority certificates are valid for a maximum of three years. High-level certificates are provided in smartcard form, while all other certificates come in the form of software.

Banque de France Certification Authority certificates are issued exclusively for exchanging information with a Banque de France directorate or department, or for accessing a Banque de France service. The Banque de France does not issue digital certificates to private individuals.

How can I request a certificate?

Before requesting a certificate, you need to register a certification representative with the Banque de France Certification Authority (this can be done at the same time as you submit your request). A certification representative is a person authorised by the legal representative of a firm to submit requests for certificates for users within that firm.

To register a certification representative or request a certificate, you need to submit the appropriate form (registration or request form) and supporting documents. Forms can be requested from your Banque de France business contact or downloaded from the list in the table below.

Complete the form with all necessary information concerning the future holder of the digital certificate and the organisation to which they belong. The terms and conditions for using Banque de France digital certificates and prices of our certification services are also shown in the forms.

Request Forms
Registration of a Certification Agent with the Banque de France Authority
Strong Authentication and/or Signature Certificate(s), for Personal use (on hardware medium)
Authentication & Signature Certificate, for Personal use (software certificate)
Encryption certificate, for Personal use (software certificate)
Strong Authentication and/or Signature Certificate(s), for Entity use (on hardware medium)
Authentication & Signature Certificate, for Entity use (software certificate)

How long will it take to process my request?

Once your application has been validated by the relevant Banque de France directorate or department, it is transmitted to the Banque de France processing centre and processed within 10 days (processing times may be longer if application volumes are exceptionally high)

How will I receive my certificate?

Once your request has been processed, you will receive a first email containing details of how to log in to your account, then a second email informing you that your certificate is available to download (for certificate software), or that you can view the activation code for your physical device.

Installing the driver

Strong authentication and qualified signature certificates take the form of smartcards. To use your card, you will need a reader and middleware.

Go to the technical requirements section to find out how to download and install the drivers.

Revoking your digital certificate

What happens when I revoke my certificate?

Once your digital certificate has been revoked it can no longer be used. If you need another Banque de France certificate, you will have to start the application process again. 

When should I revoke my certificate?

  • If the device containing your certificate (smartcard or PC) is lost or stolen
  • If you change positions within your firm or your functions no longer require you to use a Banque de France digital certificate
  • If you leave the firm for which you required your digital certificate
  • If any of the information contained in your digital certificate is no longer valid
  • If you think your smartcard or computer has been compromised

How do I revoke my certificate?

You  can revoke your certificate:

  • via your Banque de France Certification Authority user account
  • by sending a revocation form to the Registration Authority by email or by post (can be also done by your Representative):
    Banque de France
    39 rue croix des petits champs
    S1A-1206 - RSI R4F
    75001 Paris

Technical requirements

Installing the Banque de France chain of trust

Before using a Banque de France certificate, you need to install the Banque de France chain of trust.

The chain of trust is available to download in ZIP or P7B format.

Installing a driver for a Banque de France smartcard reader

You need to install a driver to use a smartcard reader provided by the Banque de France.

You can download and install the driver using the following link:

Installing drivers for middleware

You need to install a middleware driver to use a smartcard or USB stick provided by the Banque de France.

You can download and install the driver using the following link:

Updated on the 15th of November 2024