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Use the HTTP Practical Demonstration with unique filename to validate a domain on a pending OV or EV TLS certificate

Demonstrate control over a domain on your TLS/SSL certificate order with HTTP Practical Demonstration with unique filename

Use these instructions to demonstrate control over a domain by hosting a file with a unique filename containing a DigiCert-generated random value at a predetermined location on your website: http://{domain-name}/.well-known/pki-validation/{unique-filename}.txt. For information about this and other DCV methods, see Domain control validation (DCV) methods.

When done creating the file and placing it on your site, DigiCert goes to the specified URL to confirm the presence of our random value. Make sure to avoid the common mistakes when using the HTTP Practical Demonstration DCV methods.

Before you begin

Items to note about using the HTTP Practical Demonstration with unique filename DCV method

  • Validate FQDNs

    Use the HTTP Practical Demonstration DCV methods to demonstrate control over fully qualified domain names (FQDNs) exactly as named. To learn more, go to Domain Validation Policy Changes.

    Use one of the other supported DCV methods, such as email, DNS TXT, and CNAME, to:

    • Validate wildcard domains (*.example.com)

    • Include subdomains in the validation when validating a higher-level domain.

      For example, if you want to cover www.example.com, mail.example.com, and one.example.com when validating the higher-level domain example.com.

  • Validate IPv4 and IPv6 addresses

    Per industry regulations, you must use the HTTP Practical Demonstration DCV methods to demonstrate control over IPv4 and IPv6 addresses.

Acronyms in this article: organization validation (OV), extended validation (EV), Transport Security Layer (TLS), Domain Name System (DNS), conical name (CNAME)

Validate domains before order certificates

Validating domains during the order process means certificates aren’t issued until domain validation is finished. For faster certificate issuance, validate domains before adding them to your OV and EV TLS certificate orders.

To learn more about this domain validation process, see Validate domains before ordering certificates for them.

Use HTTP Practical Demonstration with unique filename to demonstrate control over a domain

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

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

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

    3. For CertCentral Subscription accounts, the steps to access the Order # detail page are different.

      1. In the left menu, go to My Digital Trust Products > Certificates.

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

  2. On the certificate’s Order #details page, in the Certificate status section, check if the order is waiting for any domain validation to be done.

  3. Under What do you need to do, select the domain's link you want to validate.

  4. In the Prove control over domain window, in the Domain control validation (DCV) method menu, select HTTP Practical Demonstration with unique filename and then select Save.

  5. Create a .txt file and add the DigiCert-provided random value.

    1. Open a text editor (like Notepad).

    2. In the Order token box, copy your token and enter the random value in text editor.

      The random value expires after 30 days.

    3. Save the .txt file under the DigiCert-provided random filename (for example, ES3e9203kd0238K3.txt).

  6. Create the .well-known/pki-validation/ directory on your site.

    For Windows-based servers, create the .well-known folder via command line (mkdir .well-known).

  7. Place the .txt file on your site under .well-known/pki-validation.

    The URL should look something like this:

    http://[your-domain]/.well-known/pki-validation/ES3e9203kd0238K3.txt

  8. Complete domain validation

    1. In CertCentral, go to the order'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.

      For CertCentral Subscription accounts:

      1. In the left menu, go to My Digital Trust Products > Certificates.

      2. On the Certificates 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 domain link.

    3. In the Prove control over domain window, under 4. Complete domain validation, select Check site.

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