Common Mark Certificates (CMC)
The Common Mark Certificate (CMC) allows companies to display a brand logo next to the sender field in their customers' inboxes, even before the message is opened. The logo confirms that the domain is DMARC-compliant and that the organization's identity has been authenticated. This provides additional protection against phishing and spoofing and strengthens trust in communication with the brand.
Verified or Common Mark Certificate?
A key difference between the CMC and the Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) lies in the requirements and presentation. While the VMC only accepts registered trademarks or government-registered marks and displays the logo alongside Google's blue checkmark in the inbox, the CMC also allows unregistered marks (Common Law Marks) that have been in use for at least twelve months. In the case of the CMC, only the logo is displayed next to the sender field, without additional visual features such as the blue checkmark.
Requirements for a CMC
To obtain a CMC, the applicant's domains must be fully DMARC-compliant. Additionally, the logo used must either have been in use for at least one year or be similar to the organization's registered trademark. The logo must be in SVG-P/S format, which may require conversion or manual adjustments. The validation process follows the requirements for Extended Validation (EV) TLS certificates, with additional steps such as proof of logo usage, identity verifications, and in-person or virtual meetings with the respective CA validation team.
What SSLplus Does for You
As a broker for over 16 Certification Authorities, we evaluate the best solution for you upfront. From reviewing the existing and required interfaces to ensuring compliance with legal requirements such as DSGVO/GDPR, and guiding you through the contract process. Our experienced sales team is also available to help you find the best price through volume discounts. Discover the advantages of working with SSLplus through our 10 good reasons.