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Name Server Delegation Checklist

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To delegate a domain to DNSimple, set its name servers to the four DNSimple hostnames below, after checking that the DNSimple zone is ready. This page lists the targets, what to check before you switch, and how to confirm the change. For narrative detail, see Pointing a Domain to DNSimple and DNSimple Name Servers. For all name server documentation, see Name Server Management at DNSimple.

Delegation targets

Your registrar (or DNSimple Edit delegation for DNSimple-registered domains) must list exactly these authoritative hostnames for DNSimple DNS hosting:

  • ns1.dnsimple-edge.com
  • ns2.dnsimple-edge.net
  • ns3.dnsimple-edge.io
  • ns4.dnsimple-edge.org

All four should be present. Remove other providers’ NS unless you intentionally run Secondary DNS.

Before you switch

Check these before you change delegation, so the domain keeps resolving:

  • The domain is in your DNSimple account and its DNS zone is active. See Activate and Deactivate a DNS Zone.
  • Every record you need is in the DNSimple zone, including MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and subdomains. To copy records from your current provider, see Auto-Import DNS Records.
  • If the domain uses DNSSEC at your current provider, handle the DS records first. A DS record that no longer matches the zone makes validating resolvers fail. See Manage DS Records When Changing DNS.

Registrar versus DNSimple zone

  • Registrar delegation: NS listing at the registry (what dig NS example.com +short shows).
  • DNS zone: Records inside DNSimple for example.com after delegation points here.

Changing records in DNSimple alone does not update delegation at another registrar.

Verification commands

dig NS yourdomain.com +short
dig @8.8.8.8 NS yourdomain.com +short

Compare results to the four DNSimple hostnames above. These answers can come from a resolver’s cache. To see what the registry publishes right now for a .COM or .NET domain, ask the registry’s name server directly:

dig +norec @a.gtld-servers.net NS yourdomain.com

For delays, see How DNS Caching and TTL Affect DNS Changes.

Scenario Article
Domain registered at DNSimple Delegate a DNSimple-Registered Domain to DNSimple
Domain registered elsewhere Delegate a Domain from Another Registrar to DNSimple
Mixed symptoms after a change Troubleshoot Email and Subdomains After Delegation

Have more questions?

If you have questions about delegation or this checklist, contact support, and we will be happy to help. You can also read more about DNS hosting at DNSimple.