Instructions for authorizing a domain using Email as the DCV method

DigiCert will send an authorization email to the registered owners of the domain after verifying the WHOIS information. We can also send the authorization email to the admin, administrator, webmaster, hostmaster, and postmaster accounts for each public domain. You must then visit the link provided to you in the email and follow the instructions on the page to verify that you control the domain (for example, click a button).

  • eCommerce Note:
    For eCommerce customers (Thawte Certificate Center, GeoTrust Security Center, and RapidSSL Security Center), you can sign in to your account to resend the DCV emails for a domain.

  • CertCentral Note:
    For customers using our CertCentral platform, see the Email Validation (Default DCV Method) section on our Domain Pre-Validation: DCV Methods page.

How to Use Email as the DCV Method for a Domain

Use these instructions if you need us to resend the DCV email or to expand the DCV email list.

  1. Contact Support.

  2. Provide the Support representative with this information:

    1. Domain Name

    2. Company Name

    3. Order Number or Support ID number

  3. Your Support representative can resend the DCV email to the these people:

    1. Registered owners of the domains listed on the public WHOIS record

    2. The admin, administrator, webmaster, hostmaster, and postmaster accounts for each public domain

  4. When you receive the email, it should have the this information on it:

    • The correct domain names

    • A Support ID

    • An embedded link used to complete the approval process

  5. When you complete the email domain validation process, your DCV will be completed.

    1. Domain validation must be completed (links clicked, and actions completed on the web page [button clicked]) for each domain, for each organization associated with the domain, and for each certificate brand associated with the domain.

    2. To locate emails, search your inbox for emails from the appropriate brands and for the domain names you are trying to validate. Note that you may also need to check your junk/spam folder.

  6. Congratulations!

  7. However, if you're still having problems, please contact Support.

  8. Provide the Support representative with this information:

    1. Domain Name

    2. Company Name

    3. Order Number or Support ID number