A method and apparatus for verifying revocation status of a digital certificate is provided. The invention operates in part by a receiver verifying a security certificate for a sender. In various embodiments the steps to accomplish this include receiving a first security certificate associated with the sender and storing the security certificate in a location accessible to the receiver; updating the first security certificate in the location accessible to the receiver if the first security certificate is changed or revoked; receiving a second security certificate from the sender when identity of the sender needs to be verified; comparing the second security certificate to the first security certificate; and confirming the sender's identity only if the second security certificate matches the first security certificate for the sender.