# Import an externally signed certificate

If you signed a certificate request with an external certificate authority, you must import the signed certificate into the SMC.

##

Note: TLS Credentials elements represent both certificate requests and signed certificates in the Management Client. In the Configuration view, the State column for the TLS Credentials element shows whether the element represents a certificate request or a signed certificate.

For more details about the product and how to configure features, click Help or press F1.

## Steps

1. Select Configuration, then browse to Administration.
2. Select Certificates > TLS Credentials.
3. Right-click the certificate request that has been signed by an external certificate authority, then select Import Signed Certificate.
4. Select one of the following options to import the signed certificate.
   - Select From File, then browse to the signed certificate file on your local workstation.
   - Select As Text, then copy and paste the content of the signed certificate into the dialog box.
     Note: If you copy and paste the content of the signed certificate, include the “Begin Certificate Request” header and the “End Certificate Request” footer.
5. Click OK.

## Result

The status information in the State column shows that the certificate request has now been signed.

## Import Certificate dialog box

Use this dialog box to import an externally signed certificate.

Option | Definition
--- | ---
From File | Allows you to import a certificate from a file on your computer. Click Browse to select the file.
As Text | Allows you to paste the contents of the certificate as text in the text field.