How to obtain a VMC certificate?

Getting a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) is basically brand insurance for your BIMI logo. If you want the most reliable logo display across mailbox providers, you'll need one. Here's the path forward.

So Start with trademark registration. You've got to own a registered trademark for your logo. In the US, that means filing with the USPTO. In Europe, file with EUIPO. This isn't a quick box to check; registration can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years depending on your jurisdiction and any objections that come up.

And once your trademark is registered, you're ready to apply for the VMC itself. You'll work with a certificate authority. As of November 2026, the BIMI Group list names DigiCert, GlobalSign and SSL.com. Each mailbox chooses, so check before you buy. They'll ask you to prove organizational identity and verify that you own the domain you're sending from. You'll submit legal documents (trademark registration, business registration, sometimes a letter from your legal team) and pay a certificate fee. As of November 2026, a VMC runs roughly $750 to $1,750 a year, depending on the authority, reseller and term. A CMC is usually a bit less. A VMC also needs a registered trademark, a separate cost. This is a guide only, so ask for a current quote. See also: how BIMI works.

Once approved, the CA issues your VMC as a PEM file. The file you host has to include the certificates that lead back to the issuer, not only your own. Ask your certificate authority for the full file. You'll add that file path to your BIMI DNS record in the authority (a=) field. The whole process from trademark application to active VMC usually takes 12-24 months, so start early if you're serious about BIMI.