# A custom domain application portal on an address you own

> A custom domain application portal is planned for Delsivo's first release, on the upgrade plan. Instead of yourfund.delsivo.app, founders apply at an address such as apply.yourfund.com. You add an ownership TXT record and a routing record, Delsivo checks DNS, attaches the domain and issues the certificate automatically. You choose the primary address, and every other address redirects to it.

Source: https://delsivo.com/features/custom-domains · Updated 2026-11-06 · Planned, not available yet

## Key takeaways

- Planned for the first release, on the upgrade plan. Every plan gets a branded subdomain.
- An ownership TXT record proves you control the domain before it is attached anywhere.
- Certificates are issued and renewed automatically.
- Domains are re-checked daily, and a lapsed domain falls back to your subdomain.

## Setting up a custom domain application portal

1. In Settings, Portal, Domains, type the address you want, such as apply.yourfund.com.
2. Delsivo shows two records: an ownership TXT record unique to your fund, and a routing record (a CNAME for a subdomain, an A record for an apex domain).
3. Add both at your DNS provider.
4. Choose Check now, or wait for the automatic check every few minutes. Two independent resolvers must agree on the TXT record.
5. Delsivo attaches the domain, waits for the certificate and runs a health check before the domain goes live.
6. Pick the primary address. Your subdomain and any second domain redirect to it, keeping the path, and founder emails link to it.

## Domain states you will see

| State | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| Pending DNS | Waiting for your TXT and routing records |
| Verifying | Ownership confirmed, domain being attached |
| Issuing certificate | Attached, certificate on its way |
| Active | Live and serving your portal |
| Misconfigured | Was active, but the DNS or certificate is now wrong. Emails fall back to your subdomain |
| Failed | Still pending after 72 hours. You can fix the records and retry |
| Removed | Detached, founder links use your subdomain |

## Why the ownership check and daily re-check exist

The TXT check stops one fund claiming an address it doesn't own. Each hostname can belong to only one fund.

The daily re-check protects founders if a domain lapses. If the routing or TXT record is missing three days running, the domain is marked misconfigured, your admins and Delsivo staff are alerted, and emails switch to your subdomain at once. After 14 days it is detached, so a stranger who registers the old domain can't receive your founders' traffic.

## What a custom domain does and doesn't change

- It moves the founder-facing portal: landing page, application form, founder workspace, interviews and guest room pages.
- Your team's investor workspace stays on Delsivo's app address. It is never served on a fund domain.
- Branding, contrast checks and the no custom CSS or JavaScript rule are the same as on the [branded subdomain](https://delsivo.com/features/branded-subdomain).
- Sending founder email from your own domain is a separate first release setting with its own DKIM, SPF and DMARC records.
- Up to two custom domains per fund by default: one primary and one that redirects.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I use an apex domain like yourfundapply.com?

Yes, the design supports apex domains with an A record as well as subdomains like apply.yourfund.com with a CNAME. The exact values are shown in Settings.

### Do I need a custom domain in the pilot?

No. Pilot portals run on a branded subdomain such as yourfund.delsivo.app, with your logo, colours and copy. Custom domains arrive in the first release.

### What happens to links already sent if I change domains?

Non-primary addresses redirect to the primary one with the same path, so links in earlier emails keep working.

### Can Delsivo staff block a portal used for phishing?

Yes. Staff can suspend a portal, and every portal footer has a Report this portal link that alerts Delsivo.

## Related pages

- [Branded application portal](https://delsivo.com/features/branded-subdomain)
- [White-label portals](https://delsivo.com/white-label-portals)
- [Pricing](https://delsivo.com/pricing)
- [Security](https://delsivo.com/security)