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Use DNS CNAME to validate domains on a pending DV TLS certificate

Demonstrate control over the domains on your DV TLS/SSL certificate order with DNS CNAME record

Demonstrate control over the domain by creating a DNS CNAME record that includes a DigiCert-generated random value. Use the CNAME record to point the random value and domain to DigiCert at dcv.digicert.com.

For information about this DCV method and other DCV methods, see DV TLS certificate domain control validation (DCV) methods.

Use DNS CNAME record to demonstrate control over domains on a DV TLS certificate

  1. In your CertCentral account, go to the Order # details page.

    1. In the left main menu, go to Certificates > Orders.

    2. On the Orders page, in the Order # column, select the order number link for the pending certificate order.

  2. On the Order # details page, in the Certificate status section, check the order's issuance status to see if the order is waiting on domain or organization validation to be completed.

    After validation is complete, the Certificate status section no longer appears on the Order # details page.

  3. Under What do you need to do, select the Prove control over domains link.

  4. In the Prove control of your domain window, in the Domain control validation (DCV) method menu, select DNS CNAME Record and then select Save.

  5. Under 2. Add the DigiCert provided token to your CNAME record, in the order token box, copy the DigiCert-provided random value.

    The random value expires after 30 days.

  6. Use one of the options below to create your DNS CNAME records

    1. Option 1 (preferred): Create the DNS CNAME record with the static prefix _dnsauth

      1. Go to your DNS provider’s site and create a new CNAME record.

      2. In the hostname field (or equivalent), enter _dnsauth.

      3. In the record type field (or equivalent), select CNAME.

      4. In the target host field (or equivalent), enter [random_value].dcv.digicert.com to point the CNAME record to dcv.digicert.com.

      5. Select a Time-to-Live (TTL) value or use your DNS provider's default value.

      6. Save the record.

    2. Option 2: Create the DNS CNAME record

      1. Go to your DNS provider’s site and create a new CNAME record.

      2. In the hostname field (or equivalent), enter the random value that you copied from your CertCentral account.

      3. In the record type field (or equivalent), select CNAME.

      4. In the target host field (or equivalent), enter dcv.digicert.com to point the CNAME record to dcv.digicert.com.

      5. Select a Time-to-Live (TTL) value or use your DNS provider's default value.

      6. Save the record.

  7. Complete domain validation

    1. In your CertCentral account, go to the certificate's Order # details page.

      1. In the left main menu, go to Certificate > Orders.

      2. On the Orders page, in the Order # column, select the certificate's order number link.

    2. On the Order # details page, in the Certificate status section, under What do you need to do, select the Prove control over domains link.

    3. In the Prove control over domain window, under step 5. Complete domain validation, select Check site.

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