> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.dnscontrol.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.dnscontrol.org/language-reference/domain-modifiers/soa.md).

# SOA

`SOA` adds a [Start of Authority record](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc1035) to a domain. The name should be `@`. ns and mbox are strings. The other fields are unsigned 32-bit ints.

{% code title="dnsconfig.js" %}

```javascript
D("example.com", REG_MY_PROVIDER, DnsProvider(DSP_MY_PROVIDER),
  SOA("@", "ns3.example.com.", "hostmaster.example.com.", 3600, 600, 604800, 1440),
);
```

{% endcode %}

### Notes

* The serial number is managed automatically. It isn't even a field in `SOA`.
* Most providers automatically generate SOA records. They will ignore any `SOA` statements.
* The mbox field should not be set to a real email address unless you love spam and hate your privacy.

There is more info about `SOA` in the documentation for the [BIND provider](/provider/bind.md).