Verify ownership to transfer a third-party domain between Shopify stores

If you try to connect a third-party domain to a store, and you receive the This domain requires verification message, then you need to verify domain ownership to fully connect the domain to your store.

You can verify the domain automatically for some supported domain providers, or you can verify domain ownership manually with a TXT record. If you have to verify ownership of your domain manually, then you need access to the Domain Name System (DNS) settings for your third-party domain.

You begin the process for verifying ownership of a domain in the Shopify admin of the store that you want to connect the domain to. You don't need to access the Shopify store that the domain is already connected to.

Tip

This ownership verification process is only required when you want to transfer a third-party domain between Shopify stores. If you want to use your third-party domain on a third-party platform, then you don't need to disconnect or transfer your third-party domain from Shopify first. You can update your domain's DNS settings to point to the new service from your third-party domain provider's platform.

Verify domain automatically

If you purchased your domain from Google Domains, GoDaddy, or 1&1 IONOS, then you can connect your domain to Shopify automatically. When you connect your third-party domain to Shopify automatically, the domain is verified for domain ownership.

Steps:

1. From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Domains.
2. Click Connect existing domain.
3. Enter your domain, such as example.com, and then click Next.
4. A notice displays stating that the domain requires verification, and that you can log in to your third-party provider account to connect the domain. Click Connect automatically.
5. You're prompted to sign in to your third-party domain provider, and then to consent to the domain provider adding the TXT record to your domain settings.
6. Follow the prompts from your third-party domain provider.
7. After completing the prompts, you return to the domain page and your domain begins verification.

It might take up to 48 hours for your domain to be verified. After domain ownership is verified, your domain is listed as connected on the Domains page.

Verify domain manually

To verify domain ownership manually, you need to add a unique TXT record to the domain's Domain Name System (DNS) settings.

Before you begin, make sure that the third-party domain provider is properly set up to connect to Shopify and that you can log in and access your third-party domain platform.

Steps:

1. From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Domains.
2. Click Connect existing domain.
3. Enter your domain, such as example.com, and then click Next.
4. A notice displays stating that the domain requires verification, and that you can connect your domain by creating a DNS record in your domain provider account settings. If this notice doesn't display, then your domain isn't connected to another Shopify store and you can follow the regular steps to connect your domain.
5. In the Verify domain ownership section, copy the unique TXT record value.
6. In a new browser tab, navigate to your third-party domain provider's website and log in to your account.
7. Find the DNS settings or domain management area. If you need help locating your DNS settings, then contact your third-party domain provider.
8. Add a new TXT record with the name shopify_verification, and then paste the unique TXT record value that you copied from your Shopify admin. If you're connecting a subdomain, then include an underscore and your subdomain name after shopify_verification in the TXT record name. For example, if your subdomain is shop.example.com, then your TXT name is shopify_verification_shop.
9. Return to the previous tab with your Shopify admin, and then click Verify connection:
   • If your domain verification is successful, then the domain displays as connected on your Domains page.
   • If your domain verification isn't successful, then you can either click Verify connection again or Add domain anyway. If you choose Add domain anyway, then a Verifying banner is displayed on the Domains page.

It might take up to 48 hours for your domain to be verified. After domain ownership is verified, your domain is listed as connected on the Domains page.