How to verify a domain via Email to obtain an SSL certificate?

Domain verification for SSL via email

Domain ownership verification (Domain Validation or DCV) is a mandatory step when ordering a paid or free SSL certificate. Email Validation is one of the most popular and simple methods. In this detailed guide, we will walk through how to properly complete domain verification via Email on the RX-NAME hosting platform.

What is domain Email validation and how does it work?

During the issuance of an SSL certificate, the Certification Authority (CA) must verify that you are the legitimate domain owner or administrator. When selecting Email validation, the Certification Authority sends a special email containing a verification code or activation link to a predefined system email address belonging to your domain.

Step 1. Preparing an email account on your domain

According to international security standards requirements (CAB Forum), verification emails cannot be sent to arbitrary email addresses (such as personal Gmail or Ukr.net accounts). The email is sent exclusively to one of the following standard administrative addresses:

• admin@vash-domain.com
  
• administrator@vash-domain.com
  
• webmaster@vash-domain.com
  
• hostmaster@vash-domain.com
  
• postmaster@vash-domain.com

Important: Before initiating certificate issuance, make sure one of these mailbox addresses actually exists on your hosting and you have access to it, or set up email forwarding from this address to your main inbox. In some cases, the Certification Authority also allows using the domain owner’s contact Email listed in public WHOIS data (if it is not hidden by privacy protection).

Step 2. Choosing the Email verification method in the billing panel

During the issuance or configuration of an SSL certificate in your RX-NAME account dashboard, you will be prompted to select a verification method:

1. Go to the “SSL Certificates” section in your account dashboard.
   
2. Select the required order and click “Configure” or “Change validation method” (if an HTTP file or DNS record was chosen previously).
   
3. Select Email from the dropdown list of verification methods.
   
4. From the list of suggested email addresses (admin@, webmaster@, etc.), choose the mailbox you have access to.
   
5. Click the “Save” or “Send confirmation email” button.

Step 3. Receiving and processing the email from the certification authority

Within 5–15 minutes after submitting the request, an automated email will arrive from the Certification Authority (Comodo / Sectigo, DigiCert, GeoTrust, etc.) at the selected mailbox:

• Open the email and locate the Validation Code.
  
• Follow the secure link provided in the email.
  
• In the confirmation window that opens on the Certification Authority’s page, paste the copied code and click “Next” / “Confirm”.

Step 4. Completing issuance and receiving the certificate

After successfully entering the code, domain verification will be completed instantly. Within a few minutes, the certificate status in the billing dashboard will change to “Active” (Issued), allowing you to download the certificate files (CRT and Ca-Bundle) or perform automatic installation on your hosting.

What to do if the verification email does not arrive?

If the email containing the verification code does not arrive within 20 minutes, perform the following steps:

• Check the “Spam” or “Promotions” folder in your mailbox.
  
• Ensure that your domain’s MX records are configured correctly and that incoming emails to your domain are working properly.
  
• In your billing account dashboard, use the “Resend Validation Email” function or try changing the verification address to another one from the available list.

Need help with validation or setup?

If you experience any issues receiving the email or issuing an SSL certificate, contact our technical support team through any convenient channel:

1. Online Chat on the website: Ask your question in the chat widget directly on our website (the fastest way to connect).
   
2. Telegram Bot / Chat: Message our support team on Telegram for quick assistance.
   
3. Email: Send a detailed email describing the issue along with your domain name to our support email.