Securing your site with SSL/TLS is no longer optional — it's the standard. But what happens when your certificate doesn't get issued as expected? Whether you're applying for a simple DV cert or a high-assurance EV, validation issues can still catch you off guard. That's why NicSRS provides a streamlined, flexible platform built to support all major certificate types—making the process smoother from start to finish. 

1. Domain Validation (DV) Issues
DV certificates are the quickest to issue — usually within minutes — but only if domain ownership can be verified. Common reasons for failure include:
- Incorrect DNS configuration (missing TXT or CNAME record)
- Expired or misconfigured email verification addresses
- Domain not yet publicly resolvable or incorrectly pointed
For email validation, it's highly recommended to use a domain administrator address (e.g., [email protected]). Many certificate authorities no longer accept WHOIS-based emails. Read more about this shift here.
Trying to secure an IP address instead of a domain name? Keep in mind that DNS-based validation isn't an option—you must use file-based (HTTP) validation. Full guide available here. Addtionally, make sure your domain is live, and that DNS records match exactly what the CA requires. You can verify your setup using our SSL Tools.

2. Organization Validation (OV) & Enterprise Validation (EV) Problems
Both OV and EV certificates require additional checks beyond domain control—focusing on the legal existence and legitimacy of your business. Common failure points include:
- Inconsistent or outdated organization details in public records or directories
- Mismatch between domain ownership and business name
- Missing or unverifiable business phone numbers or addresses
- Authorized representative cannot be reached through public channels
- Documents submitted do not match official registration records
To avoid delays, ensure your company is in good standing, your legal name is consistent across all public sources, and that an authorized contact is reachable via a published phone number. EV validations are typically stricter, so any discrepancies are more likely to cause rejection.

3. Wildcard Certificate Failures
Wildcard certificates secure all subdomains under a root domain (e.g., *.example.com) — but they have strict rules. Issuance may fail if:
- The domain validation record is set for the wrong subdomain (it must be for the base domain, not www, mail, etc.)
- The CSR is incorrectly formatted — wildcards must start with a single *. and not be used in other parts of the domain
- CAs block wildcard usage with certain TLDs (e.g., .gov, .edu)
- You're using a CA that restricts wildcard certificates for DV or requires manual review
Wildcard certificates can be powerful — especially for SaaS or multi-subdomain setups — but be sure to follow exact DNS and CSR formatting rules.

4. General Misconfigurations
Even with the right certificate type, technical missteps can block issuance. These include:
- Invalid or mismatched CSR
- Unsupported key sizes or algorithms (e.g., RSA < 2048 bits)
- Wildcard misplacement in domain names
- Exceeding CA issuance limits or rate caps
For advanced users, NicSRS provides self-checks and logs that help you pinpoint these issues before submitting.

What's Next?
NicSRS is not only your trusted SSL provider — we're also preparing to launch our own Certificate-as-a-Service (CaaS), offering faster issuance, automation, and tighter integration with your existing DNS and DevOps stacks.

In the meantime, if your SSL request runs into any trouble, please open a support ticket with our certificate team. We'll get you sorted ASAP.
Secure smarter, issue faster — with NicSRS SSL.