How can I expedite the VMC certificate issuance process?

Summary

Expediting VMC certificate issuance involves a multi-faceted approach. Key strategies include leveraging existing relationships with certificate authorities like DigiCert and Entrust, ensuring meticulous accuracy and consistency in all trademark information across all platforms and documents, and proactively managing the application process. Crucial technical elements include ensuring the logo meets specific SVG format requirements, properly configuring email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and establishing a strong domain reputation. Seeking expert assistance through experienced notaries and VMC pre-check services, as well as maintaining responsive communication with the certification authority, are also beneficial. Alternative logo coverage options (Google-profile and Annotation-based logos) can be used while awaiting VMC.

Key findings

  • Relationships Matter: Leveraging existing relationships with certificate authorities can accelerate processing.
  • Trademark Accuracy is Paramount: Incomplete, inaccurate, or inconsistent trademark information is a primary cause of delays.
  • Technical Preparation is Key: Correct logo format, email authentication setup, and domain reputation are crucial technical prerequisites.
  • Proactive Management is Essential: Proactive communication, application monitoring, and responsiveness to inquiries are vital for efficient processing.
  • Expert Assistance Can Help: Experienced notaries and VMC pre-check services can identify and address potential issues beforehand.

Key considerations

  • Relationship Assessment: Assess existing relationships with certificate authorities and explore opportunities to leverage them.
  • Data Validation: Implement rigorous processes to validate trademark information for accuracy and consistency across all platforms and documentation.
  • Technical Audit: Conduct a technical audit to ensure logo compliance with SVG format requirements, proper email authentication configuration (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and a strong domain reputation.
  • Process Monitoring: Establish a system for proactively monitoring the application process, responding promptly to inquiries, and addressing any issues that arise.
  • Expert Engagement: Consider engaging experienced notaries and VMC pre-check services to identify and mitigate potential delays.
  • Alternative Logo Solutions: Investigate and utilize alternatives such as Google-profile and annotation-based logo to cover the domain until VMC is approved.

What email marketers say
10Marketer opinions

Expediting VMC certificate issuance involves several key steps. Trademark registration accuracy is crucial, including alignment across jurisdictions and legal entity details. Proactive communication with the certificate authority, along with regular application monitoring, helps address issues promptly. Selecting an experienced notary and ensuring your logo meets SVG format requirements are important. Pre-checking services can validate domain readiness. It's important to have BIMI set up correctly and ensuring a good domain reputation also helps. Finally, it is important to be responsive to questions and issues raised by the certification authority.

Key opinions

  • Trademark Accuracy: Ensure trademark details are accurate and consistent across all application documents and jurisdictions to avoid delays.
  • Proactive Communication: Contact the certificate authority's support team proactively and monitor the application status regularly.
  • Technical Readiness: Verify the logo's SVG format, BIMI setup, and domain reputation before applying.
  • Expert Assistance: Engage an experienced notary public and consider using a VMC pre-check service.
  • Responsiveness: Quickly address any questions or issues raised by the certification authority to maintain momentum.

Key considerations

  • Jurisdictional Scope: Confirm trademark registration covers all relevant jurisdictions for your business.
  • SVG Format: Validate the logo's SVG format and scalability to meet VMC requirements.
  • BIMI Prerequisite: Ensure BIMI is correctly configured with valid DMARC, DKIM, and SPF records.
  • Domain Reputation: Establish a positive domain reputation to minimize scrutiny during the VMC review process.
  • Application Monitoring: Regularly check the application status and be prepared to promptly address any queries from the certificate authority.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Gmass suggests ensuring the domain reputation is good before applying, by warming up the IP address and ensuring you are following all email deliverability best practices. This prevents delays if the CA needs to do further review.

November 2023 - Gmass
Marketer view

Email marketer from ZeroBounce recommends ensuring BIMI is set up properly before VMC, making sure your DMARC, DKIM and SPF records are all correct, the logo is correct and the BIMI record is working. This ensures your application will be smoother.

May 2024 - ZeroBounce
Marketer view

Email marketer from Dmarcian suggests being responsive to any issues or questions raised by the certification authority during the VMC application process. Quickly providing the required information or addressing concerns can prevent delays and keep the process moving forward.

May 2024 - Dmarcian
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackOverflow explains double-checking your logo's SVG format, ensuring it scales correctly, and that no hidden layers or elements exist. They suggest validating the logo using online SVG validators to address common issues proactively before submission.

April 2022 - StackOverflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailGeek Forum recommends choosing a notary public who has experience with VMC applications, as they will be familiar with the specific requirements and can help avoid common mistakes that cause delays.

January 2024 - EmailGeek Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that Google-profile and Annotation-based logos will continue to work for logo coverage, even after BIMI is live, though they might eventually require added verification.

August 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Entrust suggests ensuring that the trademark is registered in all relevant jurisdictions and that the legal entity name matches exactly the information provided during VMC application. Discrepancies in these details are a common cause of delays.

February 2025 - Entrust
Marketer view

Email marketer from Twitter recommends regularly monitoring the status of your VMC application through the certificate authority's online portal or by contacting their support team. Staying informed allows you to quickly address any issues and prevents the application from stalling.

January 2024 - Twitter
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit advises proactively contacting the certificate authority's support team after submitting your application. Regular follow-ups and promptly addressing any queries they have can help prevent unnecessary delays.

April 2024 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailhardener suggests utilizing a VMC pre-check service. These services evaluate your domain's readiness for VMC by verifying DNS records, trademark information, and logo compliance, helping you fix issues before you formally apply, significantly speeding up the process.

January 2025 - Mailhardener

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

Expediting VMC certificate issuance involves leveraging existing relationships with certificate authorities like DigiCert and Entrust, ensuring accuracy and consistency in trademark information across all platforms, and thoroughly reviewing trademark details before submission. Delays often arise from incomplete or inaccurate information, as well as inconsistencies in branding.

Key opinions

  • Leverage Relationships: Existing relationships with certificate authorities like DigiCert and Entrust can expedite the process.
  • Trademark Accuracy: Incomplete or inaccurate trademark information is a common cause of delays.
  • Branding Consistency: Inconsistencies between brand name, logo, and registered trademark can lead to scrutiny and delays.
  • Time-Consuming Process: The VMC process involves notary and logo verification, requiring careful preparation.

Key considerations

  • Existing Relationships: Determine if your organization has pre-existing relationships with VMC issuers.
  • Trademark Verification: Thoroughly review and double-check all trademark details for accuracy before submitting the application.
  • Branding Audit: Conduct an audit to ensure consistency in branding across all platforms and materials.
  • Process Understanding: Familiarize yourself with the time-consuming steps involved in VMC acquisition and plan accordingly.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that obtaining a VMC involves time-consuming steps like notary and logo verification and suggests a pre-existing client relationship could lead to faster processing.

May 2021 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that Digicert/Entrust control the VMC certificates and leveraging existing relationships with them might expedite the process.

September 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise responds that ensuring consistency between your brand name, logo, and registered trademark across all platforms (website, marketing materials, etc.) can streamline the verification process. Inconsistencies can raise red flags and trigger additional scrutiny, delaying VMC approval.

June 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that delays often stem from incomplete or inaccurate trademark information. They advise thoroughly reviewing and double-checking all trademark details submitted to the VMC authority for accuracy against official records.

February 2023 - Spam Resource

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

Expediting VMC certificate issuance requires meticulous preparation and adherence to technical specifications. Key steps include ensuring your logo meets exact specifications (correct SVG format, registered trademark), providing all required documentation upfront, accurately aligning all registered trademark details across application documents, properly configuring email authentication records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC with 'p=quarantine' or 'p=reject'), and potentially choosing a VMC provider known for efficient processing.

Key findings

  • Logo Compliance: The logo must meet exact specifications, including being a registered trademark and in the correct SVG format.
  • Complete Documentation: Providing all required documentation upfront significantly speeds up the process.
  • Trademark Accuracy: All details associated with the registered trademark must be precisely aligned across all application documents.
  • Email Authentication: Proper configuration of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC (with 'p=quarantine' or 'p=reject') is essential.
  • Provider Selection: Choosing a VMC provider with efficient processing times and responsive support can be beneficial.

Key considerations

  • Logo Preparation: Ensure your logo is registered, available in SVG format, and meets all specifications outlined by the VMC provider.
  • Documentation Checklist: Create a checklist to ensure all required documentation is gathered and prepared before starting the application process.
  • Data Alignment: Double-check that all trademark details (name, address, jurisdiction) are consistent across all application materials.
  • DMARC Configuration: Confirm that your DMARC policy is set to 'p=quarantine' or 'p=reject' to meet BIMI and VMC requirements.
  • Provider Research: Research and compare VMC providers to find one with a reputation for efficiency and good customer support.
Technical article

Documentation from Sectigo mentions researching and choosing a VMC provider (certificate authority) known for its efficient processing times and responsive customer support can be beneficial. Some providers have streamlined their processes and offer quicker turnaround times.

April 2024 - Sectigo
Technical article

Documentation from DigiCert highlights that ensuring your logo meets exact specifications and providing all required documentation upfront can significantly speed up the VMC issuance process. Specifically, ensuring the logo is a registered trademark and available in the correct SVG format is critical.

December 2022 - DigiCert
Technical article

Documentation from GlobalSign emphasizes that all details associated with your registered trademark (name, address, jurisdiction) must be precisely aligned across all application documents. Any inconsistencies will require manual verification and extend the issuance timeframe.

May 2021 - GlobalSign
Technical article

Documentation from BIMI Group explains that properly configuring SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records is essential. Ensure DMARC is set to 'p=quarantine' or 'p=reject' to qualify for BIMI and VMC, as this demonstrates robust email authentication practices and reduces processing time.

November 2022 - BIMI Group