diff --git a/agent/connect/ca/provider.go b/agent/connect/ca/provider.go
index a812d64113..0a1df39dec 100644
--- a/agent/connect/ca/provider.go
+++ b/agent/connect/ca/provider.go
@@ -22,6 +22,16 @@ type Provider interface {
 	// ActiveIntermediate()
 	ActiveRoot() (string, error)
 
+	// GenerateIntermediateCSR generates a CSR for an intermediate CA
+	// certificate, to be signed by the root of another datacenter. If isRoot was
+	// set to true with Configure(), calling this is an error.
+	GenerateIntermediateCSR() (string, error)
+
+	// SetIntermediate sets the provider to use the given intermediate certificate
+	// as well as the root it was signed by. This completes the initialization for
+	// a provider where isRoot was set to false in Configure().
+	SetIntermediate(intermediatePEM, rootPEM string) error
+
 	// ActiveIntermediate returns the current signing cert used by this provider
 	// for generating SPIFFE leaf certs. Note that this must not change except
 	// when Consul requests the change via GenerateIntermediate. Changing the
@@ -41,6 +51,12 @@ type Provider interface {
 	// intemediate and any cross-signed intermediates managed by Consul.
 	Sign(*x509.CertificateRequest) (string, error)
 
+	// SignIntermediate will validate the CSR to ensure the trust domain in the
+	// URI SAN matches the local one and that basic constraints for a CA certificate
+	// are met. It should return a signed CA certificate with a path length constraint
+	// of 0 to ensure that the certificate cannot be used to generate further CA certs.
+	SignIntermediate(*x509.CertificateRequest) (string, error)
+
 	// CrossSignCA must accept a CA certificate from another CA provider
 	// and cross sign it exactly as it is such that it forms a chain back the the
 	// CAProvider's current root. Specifically, the Distinguished Name, Subject
diff --git a/agent/connect/ca/provider_consul.go b/agent/connect/ca/provider_consul.go
index 803ce2ac18..8971d5cd99 100644
--- a/agent/connect/ca/provider_consul.go
+++ b/agent/connect/ca/provider_consul.go
@@ -25,9 +25,12 @@ var ErrNotInitialized = errors.New("provider not initialized")
 type ConsulProvider struct {
 	Delegate ConsulProviderStateDelegate
 
-	config *structs.ConsulCAProviderConfig
-	id     string
-	isRoot bool
+	config    *structs.ConsulCAProviderConfig
+	id        string
+	clusterID string
+	isRoot    bool
+	spiffeID  *connect.SpiffeIDSigning
+
 	sync.RWMutex
 }
 
@@ -44,9 +47,11 @@ func (c *ConsulProvider) Configure(clusterID string, isRoot bool, rawConfig map[
 		return err
 	}
 	c.config = config
-	c.isRoot = isRoot
 	hash := sha256.Sum256([]byte(fmt.Sprintf("%s,%s,%v", config.PrivateKey, config.RootCert, isRoot)))
 	c.id = strings.Replace(fmt.Sprintf("% x", hash), " ", ":", -1)
+	c.clusterID = clusterID
+	c.isRoot = isRoot
+	c.spiffeID = connect.SpiffeIDSigningForCluster(&structs.CAConfiguration{ClusterID: clusterID})
 
 	// Exit early if the state store has an entry for this provider's config.
 	_, providerState, err := c.Delegate.State().CAProviderState(c.id)
@@ -107,8 +112,7 @@ func (c *ConsulProvider) Configure(clusterID string, isRoot bool, rawConfig map[
 
 // ActiveRoot returns the active root CA certificate.
 func (c *ConsulProvider) ActiveRoot() (string, error) {
-	state := c.Delegate.State()
-	_, providerState, err := state.CAProviderState(c.id)
+	_, providerState, err := c.getState()
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", err
 	}
@@ -119,15 +123,11 @@ func (c *ConsulProvider) ActiveRoot() (string, error) {
 // GenerateRoot initializes a new root certificate and private key
 // if needed.
 func (c *ConsulProvider) GenerateRoot() error {
-	state := c.Delegate.State()
-	idx, providerState, err := state.CAProviderState(c.id)
+	idx, providerState, err := c.getState()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	if providerState == nil {
-		return ErrNotInitialized
-	}
 	if !c.isRoot {
 		return fmt.Errorf("provider is not the root certificate authority")
 	}
@@ -170,10 +170,129 @@ func (c *ConsulProvider) GenerateRoot() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// GenerateIntermediateCSR creates a private key and generates a CSR
+// for another datacenter's root to sign.
+func (c *ConsulProvider) GenerateIntermediateCSR() (string, error) {
+	_, providerState, err := c.getState()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	if c.isRoot {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("provider is the root certificate authority, " +
+			"cannot generate an intermediate CSR")
+	}
+
+	// Create a new private key and CSR.
+	signer, pk, err := connect.GeneratePrivateKey()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	csr, err := connect.CreateCACSR(c.spiffeID, signer)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	// Write the new provider state to the store.
+	newState := *providerState
+	newState.PrivateKey = pk
+	args := &structs.CARequest{
+		Op:            structs.CAOpSetProviderState,
+		ProviderState: &newState,
+	}
+	if err := c.Delegate.ApplyCARequest(args); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	return csr, nil
+}
+
+// SetIntermediate validates that the given intermediate is for the right private key
+// and writes the given intermediate and root certificates to the state.
+func (c *ConsulProvider) SetIntermediate(intermediatePEM, rootPEM string) error {
+	_, providerState, err := c.getState()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	if c.isRoot {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cannot set an intermediate using another root in the primary datacenter")
+	}
+
+	// Get the key from the incoming intermediate cert so we can compare it
+	// to the currently stored key.
+	intermediate, err := connect.ParseCert(intermediatePEM)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("error parsing intermediate PEM: %v", err)
+	}
+	privKey, err := connect.ParseSigner(providerState.PrivateKey)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	// Compare the two keys to make sure they match.
+	b1, err := x509.MarshalPKIXPublicKey(intermediate.PublicKey)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	b2, err := x509.MarshalPKIXPublicKey(privKey.Public())
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if !bytes.Equal(b1, b2) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("intermediate cert is for a different private key")
+	}
+
+	// Validate the remaining fields and make sure the intermediate validates against
+	// the given root cert.
+	if !intermediate.IsCA {
+		return fmt.Errorf("intermediate is not a CA certificate")
+	}
+	if uriCount := len(intermediate.URIs); uriCount != 1 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("incoming intermediate cert has unexpected number of URIs: %d", uriCount)
+	}
+	if got, want := intermediate.URIs[0].String(), c.spiffeID.URI().String(); got != want {
+		return fmt.Errorf("incoming cert URI %q does not match current URI: %q", got, want)
+	}
+
+	pool := x509.NewCertPool()
+	pool.AppendCertsFromPEM([]byte(rootPEM))
+	_, err = intermediate.Verify(x509.VerifyOptions{
+		Roots: pool,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("could not verify intermediate cert against root: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Update the state
+	newState := *providerState
+	newState.IntermediateCert = intermediatePEM
+	newState.RootCert = rootPEM
+	args := &structs.CARequest{
+		Op:            structs.CAOpSetProviderState,
+		ProviderState: &newState,
+	}
+	if err := c.Delegate.ApplyCARequest(args); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
 // We aren't maintaining separate root/intermediate CAs for the builtin
 // provider, so just return the root.
 func (c *ConsulProvider) ActiveIntermediate() (string, error) {
-	return c.ActiveRoot()
+	if c.isRoot {
+		return c.ActiveRoot()
+	}
+
+	_, providerState, err := c.getState()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	return providerState.IntermediateCert, nil
 }
 
 // We aren't maintaining separate root/intermediate CAs for the builtin
@@ -216,7 +335,7 @@ func (c *ConsulProvider) Sign(csr *x509.CertificateRequest) (string, error) {
 		return "", err
 	}
 	if signer == nil {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("error signing cert: Consul CA not initialized yet")
+		return "", ErrNotInitialized
 	}
 	keyId, err := connect.KeyId(signer.Public())
 	if err != nil {
@@ -234,7 +353,11 @@ func (c *ConsulProvider) Sign(csr *x509.CertificateRequest) (string, error) {
 	}
 
 	// Parse the CA cert
-	caCert, err := connect.ParseCert(providerState.RootCert)
+	certPEM, err := c.ActiveIntermediate()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	caCert, err := connect.ParseCert(certPEM)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("error parsing CA cert: %s", err)
 	}
@@ -290,6 +413,93 @@ func (c *ConsulProvider) Sign(csr *x509.CertificateRequest) (string, error) {
 	return buf.String(), nil
 }
 
+// SignIntermediate will validate the CSR to ensure the trust domain in the
+// URI SAN matches the local one and that basic constraints for a CA certificate
+// are met. It should return a signed CA certificate with a path length constraint
+// of 0 to ensure that the certificate cannot be used to generate further CA certs.
+func (c *ConsulProvider) SignIntermediate(csr *x509.CertificateRequest) (string, error) {
+	idx, providerState, err := c.getState()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	if uriCount := len(csr.URIs); uriCount != 1 {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("incoming CSR has unexpected number of URIs: %d", uriCount)
+	}
+	certURI, err := connect.ParseCertURI(csr.URIs[0])
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	// Verify that the trust domain is valid.
+	if !c.spiffeID.CanSign(certURI) {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("incoming CSR domain %q is not valid for our domain %q",
+			certURI.URI().String(), c.spiffeID.URI().String())
+	}
+
+	// Get the signing private key.
+	signer, err := connect.ParseSigner(providerState.PrivateKey)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	subjectKeyId, err := connect.KeyId(csr.PublicKey)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	// Parse the CA cert
+	caCert, err := connect.ParseCert(providerState.RootCert)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("error parsing CA cert: %s", err)
+	}
+
+	// Cert template for generation
+	sn := &big.Int{}
+	sn.SetUint64(idx + 1)
+	// Sign the certificate valid from 1 minute in the past, this helps it be
+	// accepted right away even when nodes are not in close time sync accross the
+	// cluster. A minute is more than enough for typical DC clock drift.
+	effectiveNow := time.Now().Add(-1 * time.Minute)
+	template := x509.Certificate{
+		SerialNumber:          sn,
+		Subject:               csr.Subject,
+		URIs:                  csr.URIs,
+		Signature:             csr.Signature,
+		SignatureAlgorithm:    csr.SignatureAlgorithm,
+		PublicKeyAlgorithm:    csr.PublicKeyAlgorithm,
+		PublicKey:             csr.PublicKey,
+		BasicConstraintsValid: true,
+		KeyUsage: x509.KeyUsageCertSign |
+			x509.KeyUsageCRLSign |
+			x509.KeyUsageDigitalSignature,
+		IsCA:           true,
+		MaxPathLenZero: true,
+		NotAfter:       effectiveNow.Add(365 * 24 * time.Hour),
+		NotBefore:      effectiveNow,
+		SubjectKeyId:   subjectKeyId,
+	}
+
+	// Create the certificate, PEM encode it and return that value.
+	var buf bytes.Buffer
+	bs, err := x509.CreateCertificate(
+		rand.Reader, &template, caCert, csr.PublicKey, signer)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("error generating certificate: %s", err)
+	}
+	err = pem.Encode(&buf, &pem.Block{Type: "CERTIFICATE", Bytes: bs})
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("error encoding certificate: %s", err)
+	}
+
+	err = c.incrementProviderIndex(providerState)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	// Set the response
+	return buf.String(), nil
+}
+
 // CrossSignCA returns the given CA cert signed by the current active root.
 func (c *ConsulProvider) CrossSignCA(cert *x509.Certificate) (string, error) {
 	c.Lock()
@@ -356,6 +566,22 @@ func (c *ConsulProvider) CrossSignCA(cert *x509.Certificate) (string, error) {
 	return buf.String(), nil
 }
 
+// getState returns the current provider state from the state delegate, and returns
+// ErrNotInitialized if no entry is found.
+func (c *ConsulProvider) getState() (uint64, *structs.CAConsulProviderState, error) {
+	state := c.Delegate.State()
+	idx, providerState, err := state.CAProviderState(c.id)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, nil, err
+	}
+
+	if providerState == nil {
+		return 0, nil, ErrNotInitialized
+	}
+
+	return idx, providerState, nil
+}
+
 // incrementProviderIndex does a write to increment the provider state store table index
 // used for serial numbers when generating certificates.
 func (c *ConsulProvider) incrementProviderIndex(providerState *structs.CAConsulProviderState) error {
diff --git a/agent/connect/ca/provider_consul_test.go b/agent/connect/ca/provider_consul_test.go
index 26f044e30a..9352e698d8 100644
--- a/agent/connect/ca/provider_consul_test.go
+++ b/agent/connect/ca/provider_consul_test.go
@@ -275,6 +275,75 @@ func testCrossSignProviders(t *testing.T, provider1, provider2 Provider) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestConsulProvider_SignIntermediate(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+	require := require.New(t)
+
+	conf1 := testConsulCAConfig()
+	delegate1 := newMockDelegate(t, conf1)
+	provider1 := &ConsulProvider{Delegate: delegate1}
+	require.NoError(provider1.Configure(conf1.ClusterID, true, conf1.Config))
+	require.NoError(provider1.GenerateRoot())
+
+	conf2 := testConsulCAConfig()
+	conf2.CreateIndex = 10
+	delegate2 := newMockDelegate(t, conf2)
+	provider2 := &ConsulProvider{Delegate: delegate2}
+	require.NoError(provider2.Configure(conf2.ClusterID, false, conf2.Config))
+
+	testSignIntermediateCrossDC(t, provider1, provider2)
+}
+
+func testSignIntermediateCrossDC(t *testing.T, provider1, provider2 Provider) {
+	require := require.New(t)
+
+	// Get the intermediate CSR from provider2.
+	csrPEM, err := provider2.GenerateIntermediateCSR()
+	require.NoError(err)
+	csr, err := connect.ParseCSR(csrPEM)
+	require.NoError(err)
+
+	// Sign the CSR with provider1.
+	intermediatePEM, err := provider1.SignIntermediate(csr)
+	require.NoError(err)
+	rootPEM, err := provider1.ActiveRoot()
+	require.NoError(err)
+
+	// Give the new intermediate to provider2 to use.
+	require.NoError(provider2.SetIntermediate(intermediatePEM, rootPEM))
+
+	// Have provider2 sign a leaf cert and make sure the chain is correct.
+	spiffeService := &connect.SpiffeIDService{
+		Host:       "node1",
+		Namespace:  "default",
+		Datacenter: "dc1",
+		Service:    "foo",
+	}
+	raw, _ := connect.TestCSR(t, spiffeService)
+
+	leafCsr, err := connect.ParseCSR(raw)
+	require.NoError(err)
+
+	leafPEM, err := provider2.Sign(leafCsr)
+	require.NoError(err)
+
+	cert, err := connect.ParseCert(leafPEM)
+	require.NoError(err)
+
+	// Check that the leaf signed by the new cert can be verified using the
+	// returned cert chain (signed intermediate + remote root).
+	intermediatePool := x509.NewCertPool()
+	intermediatePool.AppendCertsFromPEM([]byte(intermediatePEM))
+	rootPool := x509.NewCertPool()
+	rootPool.AppendCertsFromPEM([]byte(rootPEM))
+
+	_, err = cert.Verify(x509.VerifyOptions{
+		Intermediates: intermediatePool,
+		Roots:         rootPool,
+	})
+	require.NoError(err)
+}
+
 func TestConsulCAProvider_MigrateOldID(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Parallel()
 
diff --git a/agent/connect/ca/provider_vault.go b/agent/connect/ca/provider_vault.go
index cbbccd7f8b..a583f9197f 100644
--- a/agent/connect/ca/provider_vault.go
+++ b/agent/connect/ca/provider_vault.go
@@ -102,6 +102,98 @@ func (v *VaultProvider) GenerateRoot() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// GenerateIntermediateCSR creates a private key and generates a CSR
+// for another datacenter's root to sign, overwriting the intermediate backend
+// in the process.
+func (v *VaultProvider) GenerateIntermediateCSR() (string, error) {
+	if v.isRoot {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("provider is the root certificate authority, " +
+			"cannot generate an intermediate CSR")
+	}
+
+	return v.generateIntermediateCSR()
+}
+
+func (v *VaultProvider) generateIntermediateCSR() (string, error) {
+	mounts, err := v.client.Sys().ListMounts()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	// Mount the backend if it isn't mounted already.
+	if _, ok := mounts[v.config.IntermediatePKIPath]; !ok {
+		err := v.client.Sys().Mount(v.config.IntermediatePKIPath, &vaultapi.MountInput{
+			Type:        "pki",
+			Description: "intermediate CA backend for Consul Connect",
+			Config: vaultapi.MountConfigInput{
+				MaxLeaseTTL: "2160h",
+			},
+		})
+
+		if err != nil {
+			return "", err
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Create the role for issuing leaf certs if it doesn't exist yet
+	rolePath := v.config.IntermediatePKIPath + "roles/" + VaultCALeafCertRole
+	role, err := v.client.Logical().Read(rolePath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	spiffeID := connect.SpiffeIDSigning{ClusterID: v.clusterId, Domain: "consul"}
+	if role == nil {
+		_, err := v.client.Logical().Write(rolePath, map[string]interface{}{
+			"allow_any_name":   true,
+			"allowed_uri_sans": "spiffe://*",
+			"key_type":         "any",
+			"max_ttl":          v.config.LeafCertTTL.String(),
+			"no_store":         true,
+			"require_cn":       false,
+		})
+		if err != nil {
+			return "", err
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Generate a new intermediate CSR for the root to sign.
+	data, err := v.client.Logical().Write(v.config.IntermediatePKIPath+"intermediate/generate/internal", map[string]interface{}{
+		"common_name": "Vault CA Intermediate Authority",
+		"key_bits":    224,
+		"key_type":    "ec",
+		"uri_sans":    spiffeID.URI().String(),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	if data == nil || data.Data["csr"] == "" {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("got empty value when generating intermediate CSR")
+	}
+	csr, ok := data.Data["csr"].(string)
+	if !ok {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("csr result is not a string")
+	}
+
+	return csr, nil
+}
+
+// SetIntermediate writes the incoming intermediate and root certificates to the
+// intermediate backend (as a chain).
+func (v *VaultProvider) SetIntermediate(intermediatePEM, rootPEM string) error {
+	if v.isRoot {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cannot set an intermediate using another root in the primary datacenter")
+	}
+
+	_, err := v.client.Logical().Write(v.config.IntermediatePKIPath+"intermediate/set-signed", map[string]interface{}{
+		"certificate": fmt.Sprintf("%s\n%s", intermediatePEM, rootPEM),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
 // ActiveIntermediate returns the current intermediate certificate.
 func (v *VaultProvider) ActiveIntermediate() (string, error) {
 	return v.getCA(v.config.IntermediatePKIPath)
@@ -141,61 +233,14 @@ func (v *VaultProvider) getCA(path string) (string, error) {
 // necessary, then generates and signs a new CA CSR using the root PKI backend
 // and updates the intermediate backend to use that new certificate.
 func (v *VaultProvider) GenerateIntermediate() (string, error) {
-	mounts, err := v.client.Sys().ListMounts()
+	csr, err := v.generateIntermediateCSR()
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", err
 	}
 
-	// Mount the backend if it isn't mounted already.
-	if _, ok := mounts[v.config.IntermediatePKIPath]; !ok {
-		err := v.client.Sys().Mount(v.config.IntermediatePKIPath, &vaultapi.MountInput{
-			Type:        "pki",
-			Description: "intermediate CA backend for Consul Connect",
-			Config: vaultapi.MountConfigInput{
-				MaxLeaseTTL: "2160h",
-			},
-		})
-
-		if err != nil {
-			return "", err
-		}
-	}
-
-	// Create the role for issuing leaf certs if it doesn't exist yet
-	rolePath := v.config.IntermediatePKIPath + "roles/" + VaultCALeafCertRole
-	role, err := v.client.Logical().Read(rolePath)
-	if err != nil {
-		return "", err
-	}
-	spiffeID := connect.SpiffeIDSigning{ClusterID: v.clusterId, Domain: "consul"}
-	if role == nil {
-		_, err := v.client.Logical().Write(rolePath, map[string]interface{}{
-			"allow_any_name":   true,
-			"allowed_uri_sans": "spiffe://*",
-			"key_type":         "any",
-			"max_ttl":          v.config.LeafCertTTL.String(),
-			"require_cn":       false,
-		})
-		if err != nil {
-			return "", err
-		}
-	}
-
-	// Generate a new intermediate CSR for the root to sign.
-	csr, err := v.client.Logical().Write(v.config.IntermediatePKIPath+"intermediate/generate/internal", map[string]interface{}{
-		"common_name": "Vault CA Intermediate Authority",
-		"uri_sans":    spiffeID.URI().String(),
-	})
-	if err != nil {
-		return "", err
-	}
-	if csr == nil || csr.Data["csr"] == "" {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("got empty value when generating intermediate CSR")
-	}
-
 	// Sign the CSR with the root backend.
 	intermediate, err := v.client.Logical().Write(v.config.RootPKIPath+"root/sign-intermediate", map[string]interface{}{
-		"csr":    csr.Data["csr"],
+		"csr":    csr,
 		"format": "pem_bundle",
 	})
 	if err != nil {
@@ -249,6 +294,36 @@ func (v *VaultProvider) Sign(csr *x509.CertificateRequest) (string, error) {
 	return fmt.Sprintf("%s\n%s", cert, ca), nil
 }
 
+// SignIntermediate returns a signed CA certificate with a path length constraint
+// of 0 to ensure that the certificate cannot be used to generate further CA certs.
+func (v *VaultProvider) SignIntermediate(csr *x509.CertificateRequest) (string, error) {
+	var pemBuf bytes.Buffer
+	err := pem.Encode(&pemBuf, &pem.Block{Type: "CERTIFICATE REQUEST", Bytes: csr.Raw})
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	// Sign the CSR with the root backend.
+	data, err := v.client.Logical().Write(v.config.RootPKIPath+"root/sign-intermediate", map[string]interface{}{
+		"csr":             pemBuf.String(),
+		"format":          "pem_bundle",
+		"max_path_length": 0,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	if data == nil || data.Data["certificate"] == "" {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("got empty value when generating intermediate certificate")
+	}
+
+	intermediate, ok := data.Data["certificate"].(string)
+	if !ok {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("signed intermediate result is not a string")
+	}
+
+	return intermediate, nil
+}
+
 // CrossSignCA takes a CA certificate and cross-signs it to form a trust chain
 // back to our active root.
 func (v *VaultProvider) CrossSignCA(cert *x509.Certificate) (string, error) {
diff --git a/agent/connect/ca/provider_vault_test.go b/agent/connect/ca/provider_vault_test.go
index eee9e9544c..7409ae7c61 100644
--- a/agent/connect/ca/provider_vault_test.go
+++ b/agent/connect/ca/provider_vault_test.go
@@ -16,10 +16,10 @@ import (
 )
 
 func testVaultCluster(t *testing.T) (*VaultProvider, *vault.Core, net.Listener) {
-	return testVaultClusterWithConfig(t, nil)
+	return testVaultClusterWithConfig(t, true, nil)
 }
 
-func testVaultClusterWithConfig(t *testing.T, rawConf map[string]interface{}) (*VaultProvider, *vault.Core, net.Listener) {
+func testVaultClusterWithConfig(t *testing.T, isRoot bool, rawConf map[string]interface{}) (*VaultProvider, *vault.Core, net.Listener) {
 	if err := vault.AddTestLogicalBackend("pki", pki.Factory); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -41,10 +41,12 @@ func testVaultClusterWithConfig(t *testing.T, rawConf map[string]interface{}) (*
 
 	require := require.New(t)
 	provider := &VaultProvider{}
-	require.NoError(provider.Configure("asdf", true, conf))
-	require.NoError(provider.GenerateRoot())
-	_, err := provider.GenerateIntermediate()
-	require.NoError(err)
+	require.NoError(provider.Configure("asdf", isRoot, conf))
+	if isRoot {
+		require.NoError(provider.GenerateRoot())
+		_, err := provider.GenerateIntermediate()
+		require.NoError(err)
+	}
 
 	return provider, core, ln
 }
@@ -100,7 +102,7 @@ func TestVaultCAProvider_SignLeaf(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Parallel()
 
 	require := require.New(t)
-	provider, core, listener := testVaultClusterWithConfig(t, map[string]interface{}{
+	provider, core, listener := testVaultClusterWithConfig(t, true, map[string]interface{}{
 		"LeafCertTTL": "1h",
 	})
 	defer core.Shutdown()
@@ -176,3 +178,52 @@ func TestVaultCAProvider_CrossSignCA(t *testing.T) {
 
 	testCrossSignProviders(t, provider1, provider2)
 }
+
+func TestVaultProvider_SignIntermediate(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	provider1, core1, listener1 := testVaultCluster(t)
+	defer core1.Shutdown()
+	defer listener1.Close()
+
+	provider2, core2, listener2 := testVaultClusterWithConfig(t, false, nil)
+	defer core2.Shutdown()
+	defer listener2.Close()
+
+	testSignIntermediateCrossDC(t, provider1, provider2)
+}
+
+func TestVaultProvider_SignIntermediateConsul(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	require := require.New(t)
+
+	// primary = Vault, secondary = Consul
+	{
+		provider1, core, listener := testVaultCluster(t)
+		defer core.Shutdown()
+		defer listener.Close()
+
+		conf := testConsulCAConfig()
+		delegate := newMockDelegate(t, conf)
+		provider2 := &ConsulProvider{Delegate: delegate}
+		require.NoError(provider2.Configure(conf.ClusterID, false, conf.Config))
+
+		testSignIntermediateCrossDC(t, provider1, provider2)
+	}
+
+	// primary = Consul, secondary = Vault
+	{
+		conf := testConsulCAConfig()
+		delegate := newMockDelegate(t, conf)
+		provider1 := &ConsulProvider{Delegate: delegate}
+		require.NoError(provider1.Configure(conf.ClusterID, true, conf.Config))
+		require.NoError(provider1.GenerateRoot())
+
+		provider2, core, listener := testVaultClusterWithConfig(t, false, nil)
+		defer core.Shutdown()
+		defer listener.Close()
+
+		testSignIntermediateCrossDC(t, provider1, provider2)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/agent/connect/csr.go b/agent/connect/csr.go
index 16a46af3fd..61a73ed33a 100644
--- a/agent/connect/csr.go
+++ b/agent/connect/csr.go
@@ -5,16 +5,19 @@ import (
 	"crypto"
 	"crypto/rand"
 	"crypto/x509"
+	"crypto/x509/pkix"
+	"encoding/asn1"
 	"encoding/pem"
 	"net/url"
 )
 
 // CreateCSR returns a CSR to sign the given service along with the PEM-encoded
 // private key for this certificate.
-func CreateCSR(uri CertURI, privateKey crypto.Signer) (string, error) {
+func CreateCSR(uri CertURI, privateKey crypto.Signer, extensions ...pkix.Extension) (string, error) {
 	template := &x509.CertificateRequest{
 		URIs:               []*url.URL{uri.URI()},
 		SignatureAlgorithm: x509.ECDSAWithSHA256,
+		ExtraExtensions:    extensions,
 	}
 
 	// Create the CSR itself
@@ -31,3 +34,34 @@ func CreateCSR(uri CertURI, privateKey crypto.Signer) (string, error) {
 
 	return csrBuf.String(), nil
 }
+
+// CreateCSR returns a CA CSR to sign the given service along with the PEM-encoded
+// private key for this certificate.
+func CreateCACSR(uri CertURI, privateKey crypto.Signer) (string, error) {
+	ext, err := CreateCAExtension()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	return CreateCSR(uri, privateKey, ext)
+}
+
+// CreateCAExtension creates a pkix.Extension for the x509 Basic Constraints
+// IsCA field ()
+func CreateCAExtension() (pkix.Extension, error) {
+	type basicConstraints struct {
+		IsCA       bool `asn1:"optional"`
+		MaxPathLen int  `asn1:"optional"`
+	}
+	basicCon := basicConstraints{IsCA: true, MaxPathLen: 0}
+	bitstr, err := asn1.Marshal(basicCon)
+	if err != nil {
+		return pkix.Extension{}, err
+	}
+
+	return pkix.Extension{
+		Id:       []int{2, 5, 29, 19}, // from x509 package
+		Critical: true,
+		Value:    bitstr,
+	}, nil
+}
diff --git a/agent/connect/uri_signing.go b/agent/connect/uri_signing.go
index d934360ebe..1b4a4c2391 100644
--- a/agent/connect/uri_signing.go
+++ b/agent/connect/uri_signing.go
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ func (id *SpiffeIDSigning) CanSign(cu CertURI) bool {
 		// that we could open this up later for example to support external
 		// federation of roots and cross-signing external roots that have different
 		// URI structure but it's simpler to start off restrictive.
-		return id == other
+		return id.URI().String() == other.URI().String()
 	case *SpiffeIDService:
 		// The host component of the service must be an exact match for now under
 		// ascii case folding (since hostnames are case-insensitive). Later we might