Common Mark Certificate (CMC)
Display your brand logo in email inboxes without a registered trademark. CMC makes BIMI accessible to every organization — from startups to nonprofits to growing brands.
Your Brand Logo
Common Mark Verified
With CMC ✓
*Logo display in supported email clients
What Is a Common Mark Certificate?
A Common Mark Certificate (CMC) is a digital certificate that verifies your organization's identity and associates it with your brand logo for the BIMI email standard. Unlike a VMC, a CMC does not require a registered trademark — making it the accessible entry point for BIMI.
CMC validates your organization through standard identity verification (similar to an OV SSL certificate) rather than trademark verification. This means startups, nonprofits, educational institutions, and small businesses can all participate in BIMI without the cost and time of trademark registration.
Who Is CMC For?
CMC is ideal for organizations that want BIMI brand visibility but don't yet have a registered trademark.
Startups
New companies building brand recognition before trademark registration.
Nonprofits
Organizations that may not invest in trademark protection but need email trust.
Small Businesses
Local and regional businesses sending transactional and marketing emails.
Education
Universities and schools protecting student and parent communications.
CMC Certificate Benefits
No Trademark Needed
Get BIMI logo display without the cost and time of trademark registration. Standard identity verification is all you need.
Improve Email Engagement
Brand logos in inboxes increase recognition and trust, leading to better open and click-through rates.
Strengthen Email Security
CMC requires DMARC enforcement, which blocks spoofing and phishing — protecting your brand and recipients.
Build Brand Visibility
Your logo appears alongside every email, reinforcing brand presence even before messages are opened.
Pathway to VMC
Start with CMC today and upgrade to VMC when your trademark is registered for broader inbox support.
Growing Support
CMC support is expanding across email clients. Early adoption positions your brand for full BIMI coverage as it scales.
Current CMC Support
CMC support is more limited than VMC currently, but the standard is actively expanding. Early adopters are positioned for immediate benefit as new providers enable CMC logo display.
| Email Client | Support Status |
|---|---|
| Gmail | Beta Support |
| Apple Mail | Coming Soon |
| Yahoo Mail | Coming Soon |
| Fastmail | Coming Soon |
How to Get Your CMC
Enforce DMARC
Your domain must have DMARC at p=quarantine (100%) or p=reject. Use our free checker to verify your status.Prepare Your Logo
Your logo must be in SVG Tiny 1.2 PS format. Our team provides free conversion assistance.Organization Verification
Standard identity verification confirms your organization exists and owns the domain. No trademark needed.Certificate Issuance
Once verified, your CMC is issued and your logo begins displaying in supported email clients.
CMC vs VMC — Quick Comparison
| Feature | CMC | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Trademark Required | No ✓ | Yes |
| Gmail Support | Beta | Full ✓ |
| Apple Mail Support | Coming Soon | Full ✓ |
| Validation Level | Organization | Identity + Trademark |
| Ideal For | Startups, Nonprofits | Established Brands |
| Price Range | Lower | Higher |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a trademark for a CMC?
No. CMC is specifically designed for organizations without a registered trademark. Standard organization verification is the only requirement.
Which email clients support CMC logos?
CMC support is currently limited to Gmail (Beta). However, the BIMI standard is evolving and more email clients are expected to add CMC support.
Can I upgrade to a VMC later?
Yes. If you register a trademark in the future, you can upgrade from CMC to VMC to gain broader inbox support including Gmail, Apple Mail, Yahoo, and Fastmail.
How is CMC validation different from VMC?
CMC uses standard Organization Validation (OV) — similar to an OV SSL certificate. VMC requires additional trademark verification. CMC validation is typically faster and more accessible.
What does a CMC cost?
CMC certificates are generally less expensive than VMCs. Contact our team for current pricing through SimpleDMARC's partnership program.
How long does CMC validation take?
CMC validation typically takes 1-2 business days, as it only requires standard organization verification without trademark checks.
Start displaying your brand in email inboxes
No trademark required. Get your Common Mark Certificate and make your emails instantly recognizable.