CSR cPanel WHM

cPanel Key and CSR Generation Instructions:

• cPanel 10
• cPanel 11

cPanel 10

The first step to installing a SSL certificate from a trusted provider is to create a private key file to be used with your SSL certificate.
Please note that this private key file must be used with the specific SSL certificate for which it is created. This private key is secret and should not be given out. Also, there is no way to recover a private key file if it is lost.

Creating a Private Key File

1. To create a private key file, click on the "key" icon above Private Keys (KEY).
2. Scroll down to Generate a New Key and select the domain you wish to use the SSL certificate on. NOTE: If you wish to use the SSL certificate on a subdomain such as secure.domain.com, you will need to first create that subdomain.
3. After you've selected the domain you wish to use, click on Generate to create the public key file.
4. After you've created the public key file, you'll need to generate a certificate signing request.

Generating a Certificate Signing Request

1. To generate a CSR, click on the document-bit icon above Certificate Signing Requests (CSR).
2. Now, you must complete all off the fields listed in the signing request form.
3. To start, select the host for your certificate from the drop box. The host is the domain (frequently called Common Name) you've created a private key for.
4. Next, you will need to enter the Country that you are located in. The State or Locality that you are located in (do not abbreviate). The City you are located in (do not abbreviate). Your Company's name. The Company Division the site belongs to. The Email address that the certificate should be sent to and a Pass Phrase if you choose to use one. The pass phrase is a challenge password used by Apache at startup to decrypt your SSL private key.
5. After you have filled out the necessary information, click on Generate to generate the signing request. Check the output for errors if the request does not appear under Certificate Signing Requests on Server.

cPanel 11

The first step in generating an SSL certificate is to create a Private Key. Start by reading the instructions in the "Private Keys (KEY)" section below.

Step 1: Private Keys (KEY)

1. Under the Security section, click on SSL/TLS Manager.
2. Click on the Generate, view, upload, or delete your private keys link.
3. When the page loads, scroll to the bottom and you will see the "Generate a New Key" section. Enter the domain for which you want to create an SSL Certificate in the "Host" text box. Or you can select the domain from the "Select a Domain" drop down menu.
4. Click on the Generate button.
5. Click on the Return to SSL Manager link.
6. When the page loads, click on the Go Back link. This will take you to the main "SSL/TLS Manager" page.
7. Continue with "Step 2" below.

Step 2: Certificate Signing Requests (CSR)

1. Click on the Generate, view, or delete SSL certificate signing requests link.
2. When the page loads, set the following:
   • Host - Select the domain name from the drop down menu.
   • Country - Enter your two-digit country code.
   • State - Enter the state's full name. Do not abbreviate
   • City - Enter your city's name. Do not abbreviate.
   • Company - Enter your company's name.
   • Company Division - Enter your company's division.
   • Email - Enter your email address.
   • Pass Phrase - Enter any phrase you want to use for the pass phrase.
3. Click on the Generate button.
4. Click on the Go Back link.
5. Make a copy of the CSR. You will need to enter it into the appropriate field during the SSL Certificate purchase process.