---
title: "How Do I Create a KEY and CSR for an SSL Certificate in cPanel?"
id: "3777"
type: "ht_kb"
slug: "how-do-i-create-a-key-and-csr-for-an-ssl-in-cpanel"
published_at: "2013-10-29T03:01:28+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-01-05T21:34:45+00:00"
url: "https://www.greengeeks.com/support/article/how-do-i-create-a-key-and-csr-for-an-ssl-in-cpanel/"
markdown_url: "https://www.greengeeks.com/support/article/how-do-i-create-a-key-and-csr-for-an-ssl-in-cpanel.md"
excerpt: "These instructions take you through the process of generating a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) to present to the SSL certificate issuer of your choice and then uploading that certificate to your account’s cPanel. But we would also like to let..."
taxonomy_ht_kb_category:
  - "SSL Certificates"
---

These instructions take you through the process of generating a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) to present to the SSL certificate issuer of your choice and then uploading that certificate to your account’s cPanel. But we would also like to let you know that if you purchase an SSL Certificate from**[GreenGeeks](https://www.greengeeks.com/support/article/what-is-required-to-install-a-ssl-certificate-on-my-account/)
, we will install it for you!** So if you want to save yourself some time, purchase an SSL Certificate from GreenGeeks for your GreenGeeks-hosted site and let us take care of the rest.

To have an SSL certificate issued by an SSL certificate issuer other than GreenGeeks, you need to generate a KEY and a CSR. You then provide the CSR to the SSL certificate issuer to obtain your SSL certificate.

## Open the SSL/TLS Manager

[Log in to GreenGeeks](https://my.greengeeks.com/)
 and [access your cPanel](https://www.greengeeks.com/support/article/how-to-use-quick-login-to-access-your-hosting-services/)
. Locate the Security section, click the SSL/TLS option.

On the right-hand side, you’ll see a series of options. Locate the “Certificate Signing Requests (CSR)” and click the “Generate, view, or delete SSL certificate signing requests” link.

## Enter the form information

You’ll need to fill in the following information:

- **Key** – Select the default: “Generate a new “RSA, 2,048-bit” key.”
- **Domains** – List the domains that you wish to secure, one per line. Use an asterisk for a wildcard domain (*.ggexample.com).
- **City** – Provide the complete name for the city or locality. Do not use abbreviations.
- **State** – Provide the complete name for the state or province. Do not use abbreviations.
- **Country** – Select your country from the drop-down list.
- **Company** – Provide the legally-registered name for your business. If your company name includes symbols other than a period or comma, check with your certificate authority to confirm that they are acceptable.

The remainder of the fields—Company Division, Email, Passphrase, Description—are optional, so unless your certificate authority has a specific need or requirement for them, you can leave them blank.

When the form fields are complete, click the “Generate” button.

## Copy the CSR

Copy the “Encoded Certificate Signing Request” and send it to the Certificate Authority that is issuing your SSL certificate.

## Part two: Installing the certificate

When your certificate (CERT/CRT) has been issued, go back to the Security section of cPanel and click the “SSL/TLS” link or icon.

Under “Certificates (CRT),” click the “Generate, view, upload, or delete SSL certificates” link.

There are two options available in the “Upload a New Certificate” section.

- First is “Paste the certificate into the following text box,” which you can use if the certificate has been sent in the body of an email.
- The second option, “Choose a certificate file (*.crt),” should be used if the certificate authority has sent you a .crt file. Upload the file.