Replace default eCourtDate domains with your own custom domain for portal and dashboard links, increasing recipient trust, reducing spam filtering, and strengthening your agency's brand.

### Overview

Custom domains let you use your own hostname (for example, jurors.courts.gov) instead of the default eCourtDate domain when sharing links with recipients. When clients receive a link that uses your agency's own domain, they are more likely to trust it and less likely to mark it as spam. Custom domains are supported for the following features:

- Web Portals
- Payment Portals
- Data Dashboards

Setting up a custom domain requires configuration in both the eCourtDate Console and your DNS (domain name server) provider. Once verified and activated, you can select the custom domain when creating or updating a portal or dashboard.

### Prerequisites

Before creating a custom domain, make sure you have:

- Access to the [eCourtDate Console](https://console.ecourtdate.com) (this is separate from the main eCourtDate application)
- A unique hostname (for example, jurors.courts.gov) that is not currently in use for other purposes
- Access to your DNS provider to create CNAME and TXT records
- An active eCourtDate agency account

### How-To Steps

#### Step 1: Add the Domain in the Console

1. Log in to the [eCourtDate Console](https://console.ecourtdate.com).
2. Click **Domains** in the top menu.
3. Click the **Add** button.
4. Enter your desired hostname in the domain field.
5. Select the **Alias** based on the feature you want to use the domain for (Web Portals, Payment Portals, or Data Dashboards).
6. Click **Save** to create the domain.

![Add Custom Domain in the Console](https://ecdassets.s3.amazonaws.com/images/articles/console-add-domain.png)

#### Step 2: Configure DNS Records

After saving, you will be redirected to the newly created domain page showing the DNS records you need to configure.

1. Log in to your DNS provider's management panel.
2. Create a **CNAME** record that points your hostname to the alias fallback value shown on the domain page.
3. Create a **TXT** record with the verification value shown on the domain page to prove ownership of the domain.

![Verify Domain DNS Records](https://ecdassets.s3.amazonaws.com/images/articles/console-verify-domain.png)

#### Step 3: Wait for DNS Verification

1. Return to the domain page in the eCourtDate Console.
2. Monitor the **Domain Status** field. It will update to **Active** once the DNS records have propagated. This may take up to 24 to 48 hours, but typically completes within 1 hour.

#### Step 4: Activate the Domain

1. Once the **Domain Status** shows **Active**, click **Activate Domain** to point the domain to the alias.
2. Verify that the **Domain Status** updates to **Live**.

#### Step 5: Configure Agency Settings (Optional)

1. Change the **Default Agency** if you want to use the domain for a different agency than the one currently selected.
2. Enable additional agencies in the **Enabled Agencies** section if multiple agencies need access to this domain.

![Console Domain Live Status](https://ecdassets.s3.amazonaws.com/images/articles/console-domain-live-status.png)

### What to Expect

Once the domain status and SSL status both show as active, you can select the custom domain when creating or updating a Web Portal, Payment Portal, or Data Dashboard. Recipients will see your custom domain in any links generated by these features.

### Best Practices

- Use a subdomain (for example, portal.courts.gov) rather than your root domain to avoid conflicts with your main website.
- Keep DNS records consistent and do not remove the verification TXT record after activation, as it may be periodically re-checked.
- Test the custom domain by visiting it in a browser after activation to confirm it loads correctly.
- Document which domains are assigned to which features and agencies for easy reference.
- Plan domain names that are recognizable and meaningful to your recipients (for example, reminders.courts.gov or pay.courts.gov).

### Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: How long does DNS verification take?**
A: DNS changes typically propagate within 1 hour, but can take up to 24 to 48 hours depending on your DNS provider. You can check the domain status in the eCourtDate Console at any time.

**Q: Can I use the same custom domain for multiple features (portals, dashboards)?**
A: Each custom domain is tied to a specific alias (feature type). If you need custom domains for multiple features, create a separate domain entry for each one using different hostnames.

**Q: Do I need an SSL certificate for my custom domain?**
A: No. eCourtDate automatically provisions and manages the SSL certificate for your custom domain once it is activated. You do not need to purchase or configure an SSL certificate separately.

**Q: Can multiple agencies share the same custom domain?**
A: Yes. After creating a domain, you can enable additional agencies in the **Enabled Agencies** section on the domain page.

**Q: What happens if I remove the DNS records after the domain is active?**
A: The domain status will eventually change from **Live** to inactive, and links using the custom domain will stop working. Keep the CNAME and TXT records in place as long as you want the domain to remain active.

### Troubleshooting

**Issue:** Domain status remains "Pending" and does not change to "Active."
**Symptoms:** You configured the DNS records in your provider, but the domain status in the Console still shows as pending after several hours.
**Solution:**

1. Verify the CNAME record points to the exact alias fallback value shown on the domain page (check for typos or extra spaces).
2. Verify the TXT record contains the exact verification string.
3. Use a DNS lookup tool (such as [MXToolbox](https://mxtoolbox.com/)) to confirm the records are publicly visible.
4. Wait up to 48 hours for full propagation. If the status still does not update, contact the eCourtDate support team.

**Issue:** Custom domain shows "Active" but pages do not load.
**Symptoms:** The domain status is **Live** in the Console, but visiting the domain in a browser shows an error page or SSL warning.
**Solution:**

1. Verify the SSL status is also showing as active on the domain page in the Console.
2. Clear your browser cache and try again.
3. Wait a few minutes for the SSL certificate to fully provision.
4. If the issue persists, sign in to eCourtDate and create a ticket by clicking the ticket button in the bottom right corner of the screen.

### Related Articles

- [How to Create Web Portals](/how-to-create-web-portals)
- [How to Configure Opt-in and Opt-out Compliance](/how-to-configure-opt-in-and-opt-out-compliance)
- [How to Manage Agency Phone Numbers](/how-to-manage-agency-phone-numbers)