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

If you receive a message that a third-party domain is connected to another store, 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 ownership manually with a TXT record. If you must verify ownership of your domain manually, then you require access to the Domain Name System (DNS) settings for your third-party domain.

You begin the process for verifying ownership of a domain from the Shopify store that you're wanting to connect the domain to. You don't need to access the Shopify store that the domain is currently connected to in order to verify ownership of your domain and transfer it to the new store.

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

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 is already connected to another Shopify store. Click Connect automatically.
5. You're prompted to sign into your third-party domain provider and 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 will return to the domain page and your domain begins verification.

After your domain ownership is verified, the domain is listed as connected on the Domains page.

Verify domain manually

To verify domain ownership manually, a unique TXT record needs to be added 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 is already connected to another Shopify store. Click Connect manually. If this notice doesn't display, then your domain isn't added to another Shopify store and you can follow the regular steps to connect your domain.
5. Copy the unique TXT record value.
6. In a new browser tab, navigate to your 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 TXT record with the name shopify_verification, and then paste the unique TXT record value. If you're connecting a subdomain, then the TXT name includes an underscore and your subdomain name after shopify_verification. For example, if your subdomain is shop.example.info, then your TXT name is shopify_verification_shop.
9. Return to the tab with your Shopify Domain settings and 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.

After your domain ownership is verified, the domain is listed as connected on the Domains page.