How to Add a Free SSL Certificate to a New Domain

If you’ve added an additional domain or subdomain to your Apex instance, you’ll want to make sure it also has its own SSL certificate. Apex makes this simple directly from Your Apex Managed Panel.

When You’ll Need This #

While your primary domain receives an SSL certificate automatically when your instance is created, any additional domain or subdomain you add afterward needs its own certificate. This applies if you:

• Add a second domain to an existing instance.
• Set up a subdomain (like shop.yourdomain.com or staging.yourdomain.com).
• Change your primary domain to a brand-new one.

Step 1: Confirm the Domain Is Added and Pointed Correctly #

1. Log in to my.apexmanagedhosting.com and open Your Apex Managed Panel.
2. Select your instance and go to the Domains section.
3. Confirm the new domain appears in the list and its DNS is correctly pointed to your Apex server.

SSL can only be issued once the domain is properly pointed.

Step 2: Request the SSL Certificate #

1. From the Domains section, click on the newly added domain.
2. Look for the SSL tab or section.
3. Click Provision SSL Certificate (or Enable SSL).
4. The system will automatically verify domain ownership and issue a free certificate within a few minutes.

Step 3: Verify the Certificate Is Active #

1. Once the panel shows the SSL status as “Active,” visit the domain using https:// in your browser.
2. Confirm the padlock icon appears with no warnings.
3. If you see a browser warning, wait a few more minutes — DNS propagation delays are the most common cause.

Troubleshooting Slow or Failed Provisioning #

1. Double-check that the domain’s DNS fully points to Apex hosting.
2. Make sure there isn’t a firewall or redirect interfering with the verification request.
3. Try clicking Provision SSL Certificate again after confirming DNS is correct.
4. If it still fails after 24 hours, contact our support team.

Keeping Certificates Renewed #

Apex automatically renews your SSL certificates before they expire. Check certificate expiration dates in the SSL section of Your Apex Managed Panel anytime.

Need Help? #

If you need further assistance, contact our support team at [email protected] or start a live chat from any page on apexmanagedhosting.com.