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Google Cloud DNS requirements for domain validation

When using Google Cloud DNS with a certificate authority (CA) that supports the DNS-01 challenge method—such as Google Trust Services (GTS) or a custom ACMEv2 CA—Certificate Manager - SaaS automates domain control validation by creating and deleting TXT records through the Google Cloud DNS API.

Required Google Cloud properties

These Google Cloud properties are required to enable secure automation with Google Cloud DNS:

Field Purpose
Service account JSON file Authenticates API access to Google Cloud DNS using a service account credential.

Required permissions

To allow Certificate Manager - SaaS to create and manage TXT records automatically, the service account must include the following permissions in Google Cloud IAM.

Project-level permissions

Permission Purpose
dns.managedZones.list Lists available managed zones in the project.
dns.projects.get Retrieves project information and DNS quotas.

DNS zone–level permissions

Permission Purpose
dns.changes.create Creates DNS record changes for DNS-01 validation.
dns.changes.get Retrieves details about DNS changes.
dns.resourceRecordSets.create Adds TXT records required for validation.
dns.resourceRecordSets.delete Removes TXT records after validation completes.
dns.resourceRecordSets.get Reads specific DNS record details.
dns.resourceRecordSets.list Lists existing DNS records in the zone.
dns.managedZonesOperations.list Lists the status of long-running operations, such as DNS record updates, within a managed zone. Required for tracking asynchronous DNS changes during validation.
dns.resourceRecordSets.update Updates existing DNS records when a new validation TXT record replaces an older entry or when a record must be modified instead of recreated.

Tip

Need help configuring IAM roles?
See Google’s guides for Creating and Managing Service Accounts and Access Control for Cloud DNS.
You may need assistance from a Google Cloud administrator to create a service account and assign custom roles.