Professional certificates
PKIoverheid professional certificates from KPN and Cleverbase for notaries, accountants, and bailiffs. These certificates link your identity to your professional role, enabling qualified electronic signatures for your profession. Cleverbase cloud certificates let you sign from anywhere without a physical token.
What is a professional certificate?
A PKIoverheid professional certificate is a qualified digital certificate issued to professionals acting in their official capacity, such as notaries, accountants, and bailiffs. The certificate links your personal identity to your professional role, providing both personal and organisational verification. ValidSign offers professional certificates from both KPN (smartcard/USB token) and Cleverbase (cloud-based).
The application process is the same for all professional certificates. Only the registration with your professional body differs. This registration is mandatory before you can apply for a professional certificate. With Cleverbase cloud certificates, you can sign from any device without physical hardware, ideal for professionals who work remotely.
Supported professions
Accountants
You must be registered in the accountants register of the Royal Netherlands Institute of Chartered Accountants (NBA). KPN will request proof of registration from the NBA.
Bailiffs
You need proof of registration from the Royal Professional Organisation of Bailiffs (KBvG). The proof must be on KBvG letterhead with an authenticated stamp or wet signature.
Notaries
You must be registered in the register of the Royal Dutch Association of Civil-law Notaries (KNB) with the correct description of your profession.
How to apply
Register with your professional body
Ensure you are registered with your relevant professional organisation (NBA, KBvG, or KNB). This is mandatory before applying.
Fill in the web form
Complete the application form for a PKIoverheid Professional Certificate including subscriber registration at KPN.
Sign and submit
Sign the form electronically with an existing certificate, or print and post the signed form with a copy of valid ID to KPN.
Personal identification
Identify yourself in person at a time and location of your choosing, free of charge anywhere in the Netherlands.
Receive your certificate
After successful verification, you receive your smartcard or USB token at your private address (KPN), or your Cleverbase cloud certificate is activated remotely, ready to sign from any device.
Electronic submission
As an existing holder of a KPN PKIoverheid professional certificate, you can renew your certificate in a simplified way. You can electronically sign and upload the application form directly from your workplace. In many cases a personal identification appointment is no longer required.
Postal submission
If you do not yet have a professional certificate from KPN or cannot submit electronically, you can print the PDF form, sign it, and post it to:
KPN B.V.
Attn. Validation Department
P.O. Box 1082
7301 BH Apeldoorn
Renewal and revocation
The renewal process is identical to an initial application. You will receive an email reminder approximately two months before your certificate expires. In some cases, it may be necessary to revoke a certificate before the end of its validity period.