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DCV Checker

Check your domain's Domain Control Validation (DCV) readiness before requesting an SSL certificate — CAA records and HTTP-01 challenge path reachability, in seconds.

100% Free CAA Record Check HTTP-01 Readiness
Check DCV Readiness

About DCV Checker

The DCV Checker helps you verify Domain Control Validation readiness before requesting an SSL certificate. Certificate Authorities require you to prove ownership of a domain before they will issue a certificate — this tool checks the two most common validation methods: CAA DNS records (which control which CAs are authorized to issue for your domain) and HTTP-01 challenge path reachability.

Running this check before submitting a certificate request helps catch common issues — like a CAA record that accidentally blocks your chosen CA — before they cause a failed or delayed certificate issuance.

How to Use the DCV Checker

  • Enter your domain name
  • Click Check DCV Readiness
  • Review CAA record findings and HTTP path reachability

What is DCV?

Domain Control Validation (DCV) is the process a Certificate Authority uses to confirm you actually control a domain before issuing an SSL certificate. Common DCV methods include HTTP file validation, DNS TXT record validation, and email-based validation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DCV (Domain Control Validation)?
DCV is the process a Certificate Authority uses to confirm you control a domain before issuing an SSL certificate. Common methods include placing a file at a specific HTTP path (HTTP-01), adding a DNS TXT record (DNS-01), or clicking a link sent to an approved email address.
What is a CAA record?
A CAA (Certification Authority Authorization) DNS record restricts which Certificate Authorities are allowed to issue certificates for your domain. If your CAA record doesn't list your chosen CA, that CA's issuance request will fail even if all other validation succeeds.
Do I need a CAA record?
No — CAA records are optional. Without one, any publicly trusted CA can issue a certificate for your domain. Adding a CAA record is a security best practice that limits which CAs can issue for you, reducing the risk of mis-issuance.
Why did my certificate request fail even though DNS looks fine?
A common cause is a CAA record that doesn't authorize your chosen CA. Another common cause is the HTTP-01 challenge path being unreachable — for example, blocked by a firewall, WAF, or a server that only listens on HTTPS.
Is this tool free to use?
Yes, completely free with no signup, no limits and no software to install.
Does this tool actually request a certificate for me?
No — this tool only checks readiness (CAA rules and HTTP path reachability). You'll still request the actual certificate through your chosen Certificate Authority or ACME client (like Certbot or your hosting provider's SSL tool).
What's the difference between HTTP-01 and DNS-01 validation?
HTTP-01 requires placing a specific file at a URL path on your web server. DNS-01 requires adding a specific TXT record to your domain's DNS zone. DNS-01 is required for wildcard certificates; HTTP-01 is simpler for single-domain certificates on a running web server.
Is my domain data saved anywhere?
No — the check runs on request against public DNS and your webserver, and the domain you enter is not stored or linked to you.

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