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Add a domain and validate it using the Email DCV method

Use these instructions to add a domain to your CertCentral account and demonstrate control over the domain with the Email DCV method

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.

  • If you still want to use the Email DCV method, use the DNS TXT record email contacts or the Constructed email method—Learn more.

  • To learn more about the end of life for WHOIS-based email, see our knowledge base article, End of Life for WHOIS based email DCV method.

Before you begin

Add the domain's organization to your CertCentral account

Before you can add and validate a domain in CertCentral, you must first add its organization to your CertCentral account so that the organization appears in the Organization menu when adding a new domain to CertCentral. See Add an organization to your CertCentral account.

Email DCV method

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 pre-validation: Domain control validation (DCV) methods.

Add domain and select the Verification email DCV method

  1. In your CertCentral account, in the left menu, go to Certificates > Domains.

  2. On the Domains page, select New Domain.

  3. On the New Domain page, under Domain details, enter the following information:

    1. Domain name: Enter the domain name your certificates will secure, for example,yourdomain.com.

    2. Organization: In the menu, select the organization you want to assign the domain to.

  4. Under Domain Control Validation (DCV) Method, select Verification Email.

  5. In the DCV Email Language menu, select the language for the confirmation email sent for the domain.

  6. Select Choose address.

  7. In the Choose address window, do the following:

    1. Select the email addresses you want the confirmation email sent to.

    2. Select Submit for validation.

What's next

DigiCert sends the verification email from no-reply@digitalcertvalidation.com to the addresses you selected.