Digital Certificate Authority

Overview

In the electronic plan review process, a design and/or engineering professional, land surveyor, and/or mapper must be able to prove their identity and the integrity of the documentation that they submit. In the City of Homestead, this is accomplished by utilizing PKI-based digital signatures for signing and sealing electronically produced plan sets and other documents that require a professional signature.

Note: All licensed professionals will be responsible for verifying that the digital signatures purchased adhere to the requirements of the State of Florida and are utilized by the guidelines of their respective licensing boards.

1. Signing & Sealing of Documents & Drawings

The City of Homestead has partnered with several digital certificate authorities that design professionals can use to secure their digital signatures

For your convenience, please view detailed directions for signing and sealing a document or drawing.

Depending on the permit application submitted, the City of Homestead may require certain documents and drawings to be signed and sealed. See below list of drawings and documents that must be signed and sealed by the City department:

  • Development Services (Building, Planning & Zoning)
  • Public Works (Right of Way)
  • HPS Energy

For more information, please see our guides in steps 5,6, and 7 and follow the links to the rules and regulations of your board.

2. Recognized Certificate Authorities

Digital certificates are used to digitally sign, and seal documents submitted must be of a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) assurance level of three or higher. Below is the list of certificate authorities that are recognized by the City of Homestead

  • DigiCert
  • Entrust
  • IdenTrust
  • Sectigo
  • Transglobal Secure Collaboration Program (TSCP)

3. References for Engineers

All licensed professionals will be responsible for verifying that the digital signatures purchased adhere to the requirements of the State of Florida and are utilized by the guidelines of their respective licensing boards.

4. References for Architects

5. References for Surveyors & Mappers

6. Technical References