Validate domains on a pending DV TLS certificate using Persistent DNS TXT records

Use the Persistent DNS TXT record domain control validation (DCV) method to demonstrate control over the domains on a pending DV TLS certificate order.

With DV TLS certificates, you select one domain control validation (DCV) method for all domains on the certificate. However, each domain on the certificate must have its own persistent DNS TXT record.

With this method, you create a persistent DNS TXT record for the domain, add the required persistent URI, and leave both the record and URI in place for future validations. After the persistent DNS TXT record is added and publicly available, DigiCert checks the domain’s DNS TXT records for the required hostname and persistent URI

Because the URI is persistent, you don’t need to create a new persistent DNS TXT record with a different URI each time you validate the domain. Keeping the persistent URI in place can make future validations faster, reduce manual DNS updates, and simplify certificate request workflows

DigiCert can reuse the same persistent DNS TXT record for future domain validations when you continue using the Persistent DNS TXT record DCV method for that domain.

Warning

Important: Don’t delete the persistent DNS TXT record after the domain is validated. Keep the record and its persistent URI in place so DigiCert can reuse it for future persistent DNS TXT domain validations.

Before you begin

Before validating the domains, make sure you have access and permission to create or modify DNS TXT records for each domain on the certificate.

Step 1: Select the Persistent DNS TXT Record DCV method

In CertCentral, go to the certificate's Order # details page.
- For Enterprise, Partner, and Legacy retail accounts: In the left main menu, go to Certificates > Orders. On the Orders page, in the Order # column, select the certificate's order number link.
- For CertCentral Subscription accounts: In the left main menu, go to My Digital Trust Products > Certificates. On the Certificates page, in the Order # column, select the certificate's order number link.
On the certificate’s Order # details page, in the Certificate status section, check whether the certificate is waiting for domain validation to be completed.
Under What do you need to do, select the Prove control over domains link.
In the Prove control over domain window, in the Domain control validation (DCV) method menu, select Persistent DNS TXT Record and then select Save.

Step 2: Copy your persistent URI

In the Prove control over domain window, go to 3. Add the DigiCert-provided persistent URI.
For DV certificates, CertCentral only supports the Account URI.
The Account URI lets you use the same persistent URI to validate any domain in your CertCentral account.
Under Your persistent URI, select Copy.
You’ll add it to the persistent DNS TXT record in the next step.

Step 3: Create a persistent DNS TXT record for each domain

Repeat this process for each domain on the certificate.

Go to your DNS provider's website and create a new DNS record for your domain.
For provider-specific instructions, refer to your DNS provider’s documentation for creating or updating DNS TXT records.
In the record Type field, or its equivalent, select TXT.
In the Host field, sometimes labeled Name or Hostname, enter _validation-persist.
Some DNS providers automatically append your domain name. Others may require the complete hostname, for example:
_validation-persist.example.com
In the Value field, sometimes labeled Content or TXT value, enter the persistent URI value you copied from CertCentral.
Example:
```
digicert.com; accounturi=https://digicert.com/account/{{your_persistent_uri_value}}
```
Select a Time-to-Live (TTL) value or use your DNS provider's default TTL value.
Save the persistent TXT record.

Step 4: Check the DNS TXT records in CertCentral

In CertCentral, return to the certificate’s Order # details page.
- For Enterprise, Partner, and Legacy retail accounts: In the left main menu, go to Certificates > Orders. On the Orders page, in the Order # column, select the certificate's order number link.
- For CertCentral Subscription accounts: In the left main menu, go to My Digital Trust Products > Certificates. On the Certificates page, in the Order # column, select the certificate's order number link.
In the Certificate status section, under What do you need to do, select the Prove control over domains link.
In the Prove control over domain window, go to 5. Complete domain validation and select Check record.

What's next

Don’t delete the persistent DNS TXT record after the domain is validated. Keep each record and its persistent URI value in place so DigiCert can reuse it for future Persistent DNS TXT record DCV validations.

The next time you request a DV certificate for these domains using the Persistent DNS TXT record DCV method, DigiCert checks each domain’s persistent DNS TXT record. If DigiCert finds the required hostname and persistent URI for every domain in the certificate request, it completes the domain validation.

Troubleshoot Persistent DNS TXT domain validation issues

If validation doesn't complete, confirm that the DNS TXT record is publicly resolvable and contains the exact persistent TXT value displayed in CertCentral.

Table 1. Common configuration issues

Issue	What to check
TXT record created on the wrong hostname	Confirm the hostname value matches the domain being validated.
Hostname value was omitted or misspelled	Confirm the hostname uses the following format: `_validation-persist` or `_validation-persist.{{add_the_domain_name}}`. Some DNS providers automatically append your domain name. Others may require the complete hostname.
Persistent URI was copied incorrectly or modified	Copy the exact persistent URI from CertCentral without changing it.
Extra characters added to the record value	The TXT value field must contain just the persistent URI displayed in CertCentral.
DNS propagation incomplete	Allow time for DNS propagation before checking the record.

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