# Fix "Domain already claimed by another organization" error (/help-center/domain-already-claimed-by-another-organization)

<!-- agent-signals: reading_time_min: 2 · est_tokens: 669 · updated: 2026-09-23 -->

When you try to add a custom domain that is registered to another Mintlify deployment, the dashboard or [`mint add-domain`](/cli/commands#mint-add-domain) returns one of these errors:

* `Domain is already in use by another deployment in your organization` means the domain belongs to another deployment you can access.
* `Domain is already claimed by another organization` means the domain belongs to a deployment in a different Mintlify organization. This can happen when a trial account, unused organization, or deployment created with another work email still holds the domain.

Only one deployment can hold a custom domain at a time. Release the domain from the current deployment before you add it to the destination deployment.

## Release the domain yourself [#release-the-domain-yourself]

If you can access the organization that holds the domain:

1. Sign in to the [dashboard](https://app.mintlify.com/) and switch to the organization that holds the domain.
2. Open the [Custom domain setup](https://app.mintlify.com/settings/deployment/custom-domain) page for the deployment that holds the domain.
3. Click the <Icon name="trash-2" /> remove icon next to the domain and confirm the removal.
4. Switch to the destination organization and add the domain from its [Custom domain setup](https://app.mintlify.com/settings/deployment/custom-domain) page.

Your DNS records remain valid as long as the `CNAME` still points to `cname.mintlify.builders`. If you also want to retire the old deployment, delete it from the **Danger zone** section of the [Organization](https://app.mintlify.com/settings/organization/general) settings page. See [Delete a deployment](/deploy/deployments#delete-a-deployment).

## Request a release from support [#request-a-release-from-support]

If you cannot access the organization that holds the domain, email <a href="mailto:support@mintlify.com">[support@mintlify.com](mailto:support@mintlify.com)</a> with proof that you own it. This can happen when the organization belongs to a former employee, uses a personal email you no longer access, or was abandoned without releasing the domain.

Include:

* The custom domain, like `docs.example.com`.
* The destination organization and deployment where you want to add it, formatted as `app.mintlify.com/<your-org>/<your-deployment>`.
* Any email addresses or organization names that might hold the domain.
* Proof that you control the domain, such as a screenshot from your DNS provider's admin console. Support may instead ask you to add a verification `TXT` record.

After support releases the domain, add it from the dashboard or with [`mint add-domain`](/cli/commands#mint-add-domain).