Code signing and email
VMC certificates and BIMI: what you need and what it costs
A Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) proves you own the logo shown next to your email through BIMI. Gmail shows a BIMI logo only with a VMC (registered trademark required, blue checkmark shown) or, since September 2024, a cheaper Common Mark Certificate (CMC) without the checkmark. On 10 November 2026 a DigiCert VMC cost $1,474.00 a year at GoGetSSL.
What you need before buying
BIMI needs DMARC enforcement and an SVG logo; a VMC also needs a registered trademark.
- DMARC at enforcement. Your sending domain must publish a DMARC policy of
p=quarantineorp=reject; Google's BIMI help page lists this as a requirement. - An SVG logo in the SVG Tiny PS profile, served over HTTPS and referenced from a BIMI DNS record.
- For a VMC: a registered trademark for that exact logo with a recognized office. SSL.com lists USPTO, EUIPO, UKIPO, CIPO and IP Australia among others.
- For a CMC: evidence that you have used the logo publicly; the BIMI Group's CMC guidance explains the rules.
VMC vs CMC
A VMC needs a registered trademark and adds Gmail's checkmark; a CMC needs neither and cost $385 less at GoGetSSL.
| VMC | CMC | |
|---|---|---|
| Logo requirement | Registered trademark | No registered trademark needed |
| Gmail display | Logo + verified checkmark | Logo, no checkmark |
| Cheapest verified 1-year price | $1,474.00 (DigiCert at GoGetSSL) | $1,089.00 (DigiCert at GoGetSSL) |
Verified prices
GoGetSSL had the cheapest DigiCert VMC ($1,474.00) and CMC ($1,089.00) on 10 November 2026.
| Certificate | Seller | 1-year price |
|---|---|---|
| DigiCert VMC | GoGetSSL | $1,474.00 |
| SSL.com VMC | SSL.com | $1,500.00 |
| DigiCert VMC | The SSL Store | $1,527.60 (2-year: $1,451.22 per year) |
| DigiCert CMC | GoGetSSL | $1,089.00 |
| DigiCert CMC | The SSL Store | $1,128.00 |
Is it worth it?
A VMC is worth it for brands that send large volumes of email to Gmail users and want their logo and checkmark in the inbox. It is not a deliverability fix: the DMARC enforcement you need for BIMI is what protects your domain from spoofing, and you should have it anyway. If you lack a registered trademark, a CMC gets the logo shown for about $400 less per year in our data.
FAQ
Do I need a VMC for BIMI?
For Gmail, you need either a VMC or a CMC. Gmail only shows a BIMI logo when it is backed by a VMC (with checkmark) or a CMC (without checkmark). Some other mailbox providers display BIMI logos with less strict rules; check each provider's documentation.
What logo format does BIMI need?
An SVG in the SVG Tiny Portable/Secure (SVG Tiny PS) profile, hosted over HTTPS. The BIMI Group publishes the profile and conversion guidance.
Is a VMC worth the price?
Only if a large share of your recipients use Gmail or another BIMI-capable mailbox and brand recognition in the inbox matters to you. It does not improve deliverability by itself; DMARC enforcement does more for that.
Sources
This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more