Create Your Certify Account

If you are the firm owner, visit the certify.sba.gov homepage and click the Orange Get Started button. You will be taken to a page that asks for your name and email address. Be sure to type your email address in both text boxes correctly to ensure your confirmation email address is sent to you. The next screen you see is a password screen with instructions on how to create a secure password referred to in Certify as a passphrase that will be accepted by our system. Passphrases are likely longer than what you're used to and the primary intent is to protect all of the information that you'll be entering in Certify. Your passphrase must contain four random words and be strong in order to continue, which is indicated under the box where you will enter your passphrase. If you have any questions about how to create a passphrase, there is helpful information on the right side of the screen. Accept the terms and conditions. Click the recaptcha to prove you are not a robot and click Create Account Congratulations. You've submitted your account registration request and will need to check your email within 48 hours. To find the email from Certify, click the link in the email to activate your account. The initial account creation should be completed by the firm's owner who is claiming disadvantaged status. This is not applicable to entity owned firms. Also, third party consultants and SBA resource partners do not have access to a firm's application in Certify at this time. Once you've verified your email address by clicking the activation link in your email, you will be directed to log into the system and input key pieces of data to link your accounts in SAM.gov and certify. Be prepared with your DUNS number 10N and MPIN. Information about these three pieces of information is found on the right hand side of the screen. If you have changed any aspect of your business without updating your business details in SAM.gov, do so before moving on. In the process, it's critical that your business details match the information we have in SAM.gov and the documents you upload in Certify. After you put in the duns, TIN and MPIN for your business, you will press the Connect Data button. This pulls your SAM.gov profile for you to ensure that you're connecting to the right business. Take a brief moment to verify that the information is correct. When you go to select Business type, you are going to have to choose whether your firm is an LLC or corporation, S Corp. Partnership or sole proprietorship. It is important that you select the correct business structure during this registration process. Because if you select the wrong structure and need to change it after your account is created, you will need to email the help desk@helpertify.sba.gov you will receive different 8A application questions based on which business structure you choose, so be sure to choose the correct type at the next screen. A disclaimer will pop up for you to review and accept as long as you can agree to the terms. When you click it, it says you have successfully been associated with the organization. Now that you're in Certify, you can see your dashboard. For more helpful videos and training material on certify.sba.gov and the 8A initial application process, visit the help page on certify.sba.gov.