Custom Domains Guide

What is eCourtDate?

eCourtDate is an omnichannel communications and data platform for the justice system.

eCourtDate Agency Required

To use this guide, you must be an authorized admin user with at least one assigned agency. Sign up for a free trial here ecourtdate.com/sign-up.

Understanding Custom Domains

Use your own domain with Web Portals, Data Dashboards, and to send and receive emails.

  • Web Portals - your web portal uses your domain instead of {agency}.ecase.io
  • Data Dashboards - your data dashboard uses your domain instead of {agency}.courtdashboards.com
  • Email Domains - send and receive emails using your domain instead of {agency}@ecase.io

Getting Started

Benefits of Email Domains

  • Improve credibility and branding.
  • Enhance security and privacy.
  • Use unlimited email addresses with your domain.
  • Receive inbound emails in eCourtDate.
  • SPF, DKIM, and DMARC email authentication for better deliverability.

How to Choose an Email Domain

Email domains should be easy to remember and represent your agency or organization.

There are two options:

Option A: Use the same email domain that you currently use for your agency's emails. For example, agency.gov. You will only need to verify ownership of the domain. You will not receive inbound emails in eCourtDate unless you configure email forwarding in your email provider.

Option B: Use a subdomain for your email domain. For example, email.agency.gov. You will need to configure MX records to receive inbound emails in eCourtDate.

Step 1 - Create an Email Domain

Follow these steps to create a domain that will be linked with your eCourtDate agency:

  • Log in to the eCourtDate Console at console.ecourtdate.com.
  • Click on the Domains link in the top navigation.
  • Choose your desired customer from the top left customer switcher.
  • Click on Add Email Domain.
  • Enter the internal name for the domain.
  • Enter the domain name (e.g., agency.gov).
  • Choose the region (you can change this later).
  • Click Save to create the domain.

Once the domain is created, you will see the domain status as Verification Pending. Follow the next steps to configure your domain's DNS records.

Step 2 - Configure DNS Records

Follow these steps to configure your domain's MX records:

  • Log in to your domain provider's website.
  • Locate the DNS settings for your domain.
  • Add the Email Verification TXT Name and Value to your DNS settings.
  • Add the DMARC TXT Name and Value to your DNS settings.
  • Add the SPF TXT Name and Value to your DNS settings.
  • (optional) Add the MX records to receive inbound emails in eCourtDate.

Benefits of Web Domains

  • Improve credibility and branding.
  • Enhance security and privacy.
  • Customize your web portal and data dashboard.
  • DDoS protection, SSL certificates, and uptime monitoring.
  • Ability to embed a web portal or data dashboard in your website.

How to Choose a Web Domain

Choose a domain that represents your agency or organization. A domain name is the address where users can access your website or web portal.

We recommend using a subdomain for your web portal and data dashboard. For example, portal.agency.gov and dashboard.agency.gov.

If you have multiple departments using eCourtdate, you can use a subdomain for each department. For example, jury.agency.gov and clerk.agency.gov.

Any Web Domains configured in eCourtDate should not be used for other purposes. We recommend verifying that the domain is not already in use before creating it in eCourtDate.

Subdomains and Wildcard Domains

In most cases, we recommend creating a subdomain for each web portal or data dashboard. For larger deployments, you may want to use a root domain that will act as a wildcard domain. For example, agencymessages.gov and *.agencymessages.gov.

Contact our support team for assistance with wildcard domains.

Step 1 - Create a Web Domain

Follow these steps to create a domain that will be linked with a Web Portal or Data Dashboard:

  • Log in to the eCourtDate Console at console.ecourtdate.com.
  • Click on the Domains link in the top navigation.
  • Choose your desired customer from the top left customer switcher.
  • Click on Add Web Domain.
  • Enter the internal name for the domain.
  • Enter the domain name (e.g., portal.agency.gov).
  • Choose the domain alias (Web Portal or Data Dashboard).
  • Choose the region (you can change this later).
  • Choose the verification method (we recommend TXT).
  • Click Save to create the domain.

Once the domain is created, you will see the domain status as Verification Pending. Follow the next steps to configure your domain's DNS records.

Step 2 - Configure DNS Records

Generic DNS

Follow these steps to configure your domain using a Generic DNS provider:

  • Log in to your domain provider's website.
  • Locate the DNS settings for your domain.
  • Copy the Ownership Verification TXT Name and Value and add it to your DNS settings.
  • Copy the SSL Validation TXT Name and Value and add it to your DNS settings.
  • Copy the Acme Challenge CNAME Name and Value and add it to your DNS settings.
  • Add a CNAME record for your chosen domain pointing to the provided DNS fallback domain.

CloudFlare

Login to your CloudFlare account and follow these steps:

  • Click Websites in the CloudFlare navigation.
  • Click the domain you want to configure.
  • Click the DNS tab.
  • Click Add Record.
  • Choose CNAME as the record type.
  • Enter the subdomain you want to use (e.g., portal.agency.gov).
  • Enter the provided DNS fallback domain as the target.
  • Copy the Ownership Verification TXT Name and Value and add it to your DNS settings.
  • Copy the SSL Validation TXT Name and Value and add it to your DNS settings.
  • Copy the Acme Challenge CNAME Name and Value and add it to your DNS settings.

Should you turn on the CloudFlare Proxy?

As our custom domains feature is powered by CloudFlare, if you are also using CloudFlare for your domain, you may want to turn off the CloudFlare Proxy (orange cloud) for any CNAME records.

If the CloudFlare Proxy is turned on, your own CloudFlare settings may override the eCourtDate network settings. Ensure that an SSL certificate is installed on your CloudFlare account.

We recommend enabling the CloudFlare Proxy and testing the domain to ensure it is working correctly. If you encounter any issues, turn off the CloudFlare Proxy for the CNAME records.

GoDaddy

Login to your GoDaddy account and follow these steps:

  • Click on the DNS tab for the domain you want to configure.
  • Click Add Record.
  • Choose CNAME as the record type.
  • Enter the subdomain you want to use (e.g., portal.agency.gov).
  • Enter the provided DNS fallback domain as the target.
  • Copy the Ownership Verification TXT Name and Value and add it to your DNS settings.
  • Copy the SSL Validation TXT Name and Value and add it to your DNS settings.
  • Copy the Acme Challenge CNAME Name and Value and add it to your DNS settings.

AWS

Login to your AWS account and follow these steps:

  • Click on the Route 53 service.
  • Click on the Hosted Zones tab.
  • Click on the domain you want to configure.
  • Click Create Record Set.
  • Choose CNAME as the record type.
  • Enter the subdomain you want to use (e.g., portal.agency.gov).
  • Enter the provided DNS fallback domain as the target.
  • Copy the Ownership Verification TXT Name and Value and add it to your DNS settings.
  • Copy the SSL Validation TXT Name and Value and add it to your DNS settings.
  • Copy the Acme Challenge CNAME Name and Value and add it to your DNS settings.

Step 3 - Update Domain Agency Settings

Return to the Console Domain profile to configure the following settings:

Choose a Default Agency - this is the primary agency that the domain will be used in.

Choose the Enabled Agencies - choose the same default agency. Wildcard domains support multiple agencies.

Configure Monitoring Reports - add email addresses to receive monitoring reports about issues with the domain.

Step 4 - Verify Domain Status

DNS changes can take up to 24 hours to propagate. Once the domain status is Verified, you can use the domain in your enabled agencies.

Step 5 - Use Domain in Agencies

Troubleshooting

DNS changes can take up to 24 hours to propagate. If you encounter any issues after following this guide, check the following:

404 Error

If you encounter a 404 error when accessing your web portal or data dashboard, check the following:

  • In the Console, ensure the domain's Default Agency is configured.
  • In the Admin Application, ensure at least one Portal is assigned to the domain.

A 404 should mean that the DNS records are configured correctly, but the domain is not assigned to a Web Portal or Data Dashboard.

SSL Handshake Failed

If you encounter an SSL Handshake Failed error, check the following:

  • In the Console, ensure the domain's SSL Validation TXT record is configured.
  • In the DNS settings, ensure the SSL Validation TXT record is correct.

If you do not see Active in the Console Domain status, the DNS records may not be configured correctly. Check the DNS settings for the domain and ensure the records are correct.

Validation Timeout

If you encounter a Validation Timeout error, please contact our help team to regenerate the custom domain. Validation will time out after 7 days if the domain is not verified successfully.

Technical Support

If you have any questions or issues while using this guide, please contact our help team at help@ecourtdate.com. We're here to help.

We appreciate any feedback or suggestions to improve our technical guides and resources.

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