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Use Email verification to validate a domain on a DV TLS certificate

Use these instructions to demonstrate control over the domains on a pending DV TLS certificate order using the Email domain control validation (DCV) method. When validating domains on a pending DV TLS certificate, you can only use one DCV method to validate all the domains on the certificate.

Important

End of life for the WHOIS-based email

The industry is moving away from using WHOIS to identify domain contacts. DigiCert recommends that those using the WHOIS-based Email DCV method update their domain validation processes to use one of the other supported DCV methods as soon as possible.

Before you begin

With the Email domain control validation (DCV) method, DigiCert sends three sets of DCV emails: DNS TXT-based, constructed, and WHOIS-based.

To demonstrate control over the domain, an email recipient follows the instructions in a confirmation email sent for the domain:

  • DigiCert sends this email from no-reply@digitalcertvalidation.com. If using allowlist, make sure to include digitalcertvalidation.com.

  • The confirmation process consists of visiting the link in the email and following the instructions on the page.

To learn more about the different email DCV methods, such as email to DNS TXT contact, constructed, and WHOIS-based, see Domain Control Validation (DCV) Methods.

Use Email verification to demonstrate control over a domain on an OV/EV TLS certificate

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

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

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

  2. On the Order # details page, in the Certificate status section, review the certificate's status to see if issuance is waiting for domain validation to be completed.

    After validation is completed, 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 over domain window, in the Domain control validation (DCV) method menu, select Verification email and then select Save.

  5. In the Select the email language menu, select the language for the confirmation email sent for the domain.

  6. In the Select the authorization email recipient menu, select the email address you want the confirmation email sent to.

  7. Select Send email.

What's next

DigiCert sends the verification email from no-reply@digitalcertvalidation.com to the addresses you selected. The email subject line is [Action Required] Approve Certificate Request for [yourdomain] {Order #}.