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Change a domain's domain control validation (DCV) method

Use these instructions to choose a different DCV method to prevalidate your domain.

Warning

Changing the DCV method for a domain with pending validation voids any pending verification emails or unique random values and filenames.

Change a domain's DCV method

  1. In your CertCentral account, in the left. main menu, select Certificates > Domains.

  2. On the Domains page, in the Domain name column, select the domain name link

  3. On the domain's details page, in the Domain control validation (DCV) method section under User actions, select Change DCV Method.

  4. In the Change DCV Method window, under Domain Control Validation (DCV) Method, select the DCV method you want to use to complete the validation for the domain.

    • Verification Email

      An email recipient follows the instructions in a confirmation email sent for the domain. DigiCert can send three sets of DCV emails: WHOIS-based, constructed, and DNS TXT-based.

    • DNS TXT Record

      Add a DigiCert generated random value (provided for the domain in your CertCentral account) to the domain’s DNS as a TXT record.

    • DNS CNAME Record

      Add a DigiCert-generated random value (provided for the domain in your CertCentral account) to the domain’s DNS as a CNAME record. Then, add dcv.digicert.com as the CNAME target.

    • HTTP Practical Demonstration

      Host a file containing a DigiCert generated random value (provided for the domain in your CertCentral account) at a predetermined location on your website: http://{domain-name}/.well-known/pki-validation/fileauth.txt.

    • HTTP Practical Demonstration with unique filename

      Host a file with a random filename that contains a DigiCert-generated random value (provided for the domain in your CertCentral account) at a predetermined location on your website: http://{domain-name}/.well-known/pki-validation/{unique-filename}.txt.

  5. When ready, select Change DCV Method.

What's next

Use the newly selected DCV method to complete the domain control validation (DCV) for the domain. For more information, see Domain prevalidation: Domain control validation (DCV) methods.

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