# How to migrate production domain without downtime **URL:** \ **Category:** Support\ **Tags:** netlify-dns-https-ssl\ **Created:** [August 30, 2021, 6:22pm UTC](https://answers.netlify.com/t/how-to-migrate-production-domain-without-downtime/43325 "2021-08-30T18:22:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![uooq](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/netlify/user_avatar/answers.netlify.com/uooq/32/26687_2.png) [@uooq](https://answers.netlify.com/u/uooq)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 6:22pm UTC](https://answers.netlify.com/t/how-to-migrate-production-domain-without-downtime/43325/1 "2021-08-30T18:22:44Z")
Hi, we’re self hosting a web application and want to move it to Netlify. We want to keep the same custom domain we use, and we want to switch over without downtime. What I cannot figure out is how to configure a custom domain on Netlify without first changing the DNS record. What I want to do is to have the custom domain set up in advance on the Netlify side, SSL certificates and all, and THEN set up the DNS so that as the DNS propagates, some people will hit the old site, some the new site, but all will get to our app. How can we make this happen? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![shrink](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/netlify/user_avatar/answers.netlify.com/shrink/32/15850_2.png) [@shrink](https://answers.netlify.com/u/shrink)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 7:03pm UTC](https://answers.netlify.com/t/how-to-migrate-production-domain-without-downtime/43325/2 "2021-08-30T19:03:41Z")
All that is required to publish an SSL certificate is a private key, and there can be many associated with a single domain. Netlify’s SSL certificate issuance is an integrated solution that uses Netlify DNS to generate _and_ validate a certificate, so you’d need to switch DNS to use it, _however_ you do not _need_ to use Netlify’s integrated solution: there is also the “Set custom certificate” option. Therefore, you can generate an SSL certificate with a third-party service (whether that’s paid, or free) and then validate it (using DNS on your current architecture) and then upload _that_ to Netlify. A shortcut would be to use your current production SSL certificate (just grab the certificate and private key from your infrastructure) but it’s possible you can’t easily extract it. 1. Generate a certificate for your domain, using the _current_ architecture to validate the certificate (either using [Let’s Encrypt](https://letsencrypt.org/getting-started/) or purchase from somewhere like [SSLs.com](https://www.ssls.com/)) 2. Upload the “Certificate” and “Private Key” via “Set custom certificate” in the Netlify dashboard 3. Done! You now have 2 different systems, both with valid SSL certificates for your domain Then, once you’ve switched your DNS over to Netlify _and all traffic is being routed to Netlify_ you can switch from a custom certificate to a Netlify managed certificate – as long as you do it before your custom certificate expires, there’ll be no interruption of service. ---
**Author:** ![coelmay](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/netlify/user_avatar/answers.netlify.com/coelmay/32/24427_2.png) [@coelmay](https://answers.netlify.com/u/coelmay)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 10:22pm UTC](https://answers.netlify.com/t/how-to-migrate-production-domain-without-downtime/43325/3 "2021-08-30T22:22:56Z")
HI @uooq You can add a domain to Netlify with all the records you require then switch nameservers. > [@\[Support Guide\] How do I migrate a domain to Netlify DNS with zero downtime?](https://answers.netlify.com/t/support-guide-how-do-i-migrate-a-domain-to-netlify-dns-with-zero-downtime/3397): > > Last reviewed by Netlify Support - July 2025 IMPORTANT UPDATE While many details in this support guide remain valuable information, the best guide for a zero downtime DNS migration can be found here: However, there is still great information below and our support team will continue to link people to sub-sections of this support guide when they are relevant to someone’s particular situation or question. What is this topic about? This topic covers copying your existing DNS records from your c… ---
**Author:** ![uooq](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/netlify/user_avatar/answers.netlify.com/uooq/32/26687_2.png) [@uooq](https://answers.netlify.com/u/uooq)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2021, 11:00pm UTC](https://answers.netlify.com/t/how-to-migrate-production-domain-without-downtime/43325/5 "2021-09-01T23:00:38Z")
Thanks but we want to manage our own DNS-- Netlify doesn’t allow delegating just a subdomain and we have a lot of servers that we need on the same apex domain. the other reply was more helpful. ---
**Author:** ![uooq](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/netlify/user_avatar/answers.netlify.com/uooq/32/26687_2.png) [@uooq](https://answers.netlify.com/u/uooq)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2021, 11:01pm UTC](https://answers.netlify.com/t/how-to-migrate-production-domain-without-downtime/43325/6 "2021-09-01T23:01:28Z")
Perfect! Worked like a charm. The UI makes it look like there’s a problem if you don’t verify the domain, but there isn’t.