How to complete email domain verification for an SSL certificate

How to verify a domain by email before SSL certificate issuance

When ordering an SSL certificate, you need to confirm that you control the domain. Without this verification, the Certificate Authority cannot issue the certificate, even if the order has already been placed and paid for.

One of the available verification methods is email validation. The Certificate Authority sends a special message to an administrative email address associated with your domain. By following the instructions in that message, you can confirm domain control and proceed with certificate issuance.

This guide explains how to complete email verification when ordering an SSL certificate through Server.UA.

How does email-based domain verification work?

Before issuing an SSL certificate, the Certificate Authority (CA) must verify that the applicant controls the domain. This procedure is known as Domain Control Validation (DCV).

When email validation is selected, the CA sends a message to one of the approved administrative addresses associated with the domain. The message contains a verification link and, depending on the Certificate Authority, a unique validation code.

By following the instructions in the email, you confirm access to the selected address. The CA can then complete the domain validation process.

Step 1. Check your administrative email account

Not every email address associated with your domain can be used for standard email validation. Certificate Authorities accept five predefined administrative addresses:

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

Replace vash-domain.com with the domain for which you are requesting the SSL certificate.

You only need access to one of these mailboxes. If the required address does not exist, create it on the mail server handling email for your domain.

Alternatively, you can set up forwarding so that incoming messages are delivered to another email address you regularly use.

Important: You cannot use an arbitrary personal Gmail address or another external mailbox for standard validation. Some Certificate Authorities also support a contact email address published through a dedicated DNS TXT record, provided this method is available for your certificate order.

Step 2. Select email validation in your Server.UA account

After placing your SSL certificate order, you need to choose how to verify domain control.

1. Sign in to your Server.UA client account.
   
2. Open the “SSL Certificates” section.
   
3. Find the relevant order and access its settings.
   
4. Select Email from the available domain validation methods.
   
5. Choose an administrative email address that you can access.
   
6. Save the settings and submit the validation request.

The Certificate Authority will then generate and send a domain verification message.

If you previously selected DNS or HTTP file validation, you may be able to change the method depending on the current status of your order.

Step 3. Verify your domain using the received email

Check the mailbox selected during configuration. You should receive a message from the Certificate Authority processing your order.

To complete the verification:

1. Open the email and make sure it refers to the correct domain name.
   
2. Follow the verification link provided in the message.
   
3. If the email contains a Validation Code, copy it.
   
4. Enter the code in the appropriate field on the Certificate Authority’s verification page.
   
5. Confirm the request by following the on-screen instructions.

Once these steps are completed successfully, the Certificate Authority will update your domain validation status.

Step 4. Check your SSL certificate issuance status

After domain verification succeeds, the Certificate Authority will continue processing your order.

For Domain Validation (DV) SSL certificates, this is generally sufficient to proceed with issuance. Organization Validation (OV) and Extended Validation (EV) certificates may require additional company verification.

You can check the current certificate status in your Server.UA client area.

Once the certificate has been issued, you will be able to obtain the certificate files and intermediate certificates required for installation on your web server.

Why is the SSL verification email not arriving?

If you have not received the message from the Certificate Authority, check the following possible causes:

• Mailbox functionality. Send a test message to the administrative address and confirm that it can receive incoming email.
  
• Domain MX records. Make sure email delivery is correctly configured for your mail server.
  
• Spam filtering. Check your spam folder and any server-side email quarantine.
  
• Selected address. Verify that the mailbox matches the address specified in your certificate order.
  
• Resend the request. If the option is available in your billing account, request another verification email.

If the message still does not arrive, you can use an alternative DCV method, such as DNS record validation, provided your certificate supports it.

How can you get help with SSL certificate issuance?

If you encounter difficulties with email validation or certificate issuance, contact the Server.UA technical support team.

You can reach our team through the website’s live chat, Telegram, or email. Include your domain name and describe the issue. If the verification email is missing, also specify which administrative address you selected.