DV stands for Domain Validated: Before issuing the certificate, it is checked whether the applicant is actually the owner of the domain for which the certificate is being applied for. This can be done by one of the following methods:
- Email validation: the applicant receives an email to which he must respond. This e-mail is delivered at an e-mail address on the domain for which the certificate is requested (allowed for this: webmaster@ / hostmaster@ / administrator@ / admin@ or postmaster@), or the e-mail address as mentioned in the whois.
- File verification: The Certificate Authority will specify a file name and a content that must be created on the server. This file must be created in the public_html. When the file is seen by the CA the certificate will be issued
- DNS verification: The same as with file verification, but in this case the CA will look for an entry in the DNS, rather then a file on the server. If your domain has been registrered through our services and you are using our DNS, this is your best option. As part of the request we can and will add the CNAME as given by the CA in our DNS.
In all cases: once the files are seen, or the reply on the mail is given, the certificate is issued.