How can I find out when my VMC expires?

Key findings

• BIMI record analysis: If your VMC is linked in your BIMI DNS record, online tools can often extract and display the certificate's expiry date directly from the record.
• PEM file decoding: For the most direct approach, you can decode the VMC's PEM (Privacy-Enhanced Mail) file using various cryptographic tools or online decoders. This file contains all the certificate details, including validity periods.
• Certificate authority portal: The Certificate Authority (CA) that issued your VMC (e.g., GlobalSign, Sectigo) will have a record of your certificate and its expiry date within your account or order history.
• Monitoring tools: Some specialized email deliverability or certificate monitoring platforms can track VMC expiry dates and provide alerts.

Key considerations

• Proactive renewal: Always aim to renew your VMC well before its expiry date to ensure continuous brand logo display and prevent disruptions to your BIMI setup.
• Date format: Be mindful of different date formats (e.g., dd/mm/yyyy vs. mm/dd/yyyy) when reviewing expiry dates, especially if using international tools or platforms.
• Automated alerts: Set up reminders or automated alerts from your CA or monitoring tools to notify you of impending VMC expiration.
• BIMI record update: After renewing your VMC, remember to update your BIMI DNS record with the new certificate URL to avoid issues. Learn more about how to set up BIMI.
• Cost implications: VMCs involve costs for issuance and renewal. Understanding the pricing of VMC certificates helps in budgeting.
• CA specific details: GlobalSign provides information on VMC application processes, including validity dates.

Key opinions

• Tool reliance: Many marketers prefer using online tools that automatically check the BIMI record and extract certificate details, including expiry.
• Proactive monitoring: It's generally advised to actively monitor VMC status, much like monitoring other email authentication records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), to prevent any lapses.
• Internal coordination: Marketers frequently depend on their IT or security teams to provide VMC expiry information or to handle the renewal process, highlighting the need for good internal communication.
• Impact on brand: An expired VMC leads to the disappearance of the brand logo, which can negatively impact brand recognition and trust in the inbox.

Key considerations

• Automated reminders: Setting up automated reminders for VMC renewals is a best practice to avoid manual oversight. Consider DMARC monitoring platforms that also track certificate validity.
• Documentation review: Referencing the original purchase documentation from the Certificate Authority can directly provide the VMC validity period.
• Supplier communication: Maintain open communication with your VMC provider or IT department regarding renewal schedules and any changes in the requirements for VMC certificates.
• Impact of expiry: An expired VMC means your logo will cease to display in email clients that support BIMI, diminishing the visual trust signal for your recipients.
• Monitoring DMARC: Sectigo recommends regularly monitoring DMARC compliance to prevent issues with VMC.

Key opinions

• Integrated monitoring: Experts recommend integrating VMC expiry monitoring into existing domain health and email deliverability dashboards for a holistic view.
• Certificate lifecycle: Understanding the entire lifecycle of a VMC, from issuance to renewal, is vital for proactive management.
• Automated checks: Leveraging scripts or tools that can automatically parse certificate data and alert on upcoming expirations is a common expert recommendation.
• DNS records: The VMC is referenced in the BIMI DNS record, making DNS monitoring a relevant approach for tracking validity indirectly.

Key considerations

• Technical expertise: While tools simplify things, a foundational understanding of certificate formats like PEM and X.509 is beneficial for troubleshooting.
• Alignment with DMARC: VMC relies on a DMARC policy at enforcement (p=quarantine or p=reject). An expired VMC undermines the visual benefit of BIMI, even if DMARC is valid. Learn how to safely transition DMARC policy.
• Impact on deliverability: Though VMC doesn't directly impact deliverability, its expiration affects brand perception, which indirectly supports deliverability. Maintaining compliance is key to boosting email deliverability rates.
• Renew with care: Ensure that the renewal process for a VMC is handled carefully, updating the BIMI record with the new certificate URL immediately upon re-issuance to prevent downtime.
• Certificate chain: Verify the entire certificate chain if manually inspecting the VMC, as an issue with any part of the chain can invalidate the VMC even if the primary certificate is valid.
• Best practices: Word to the Wise discusses the importance of BIMI and its components, including VMC validity.

Key findings

• Validity period: VMCs are issued with a specific validity period, typically one year, which is clearly stated within the certificate itself and by the issuing CA.
• X.509 standard: VMCs conform to the X.509 certificate standard, meaning their expiry date can be extracted using standard certificate parsing tools.
• CA dashboards: Most CAs provide online portals or dashboards where customers can view details of their purchased certificates, including issue and expiry dates.
• Renewal process: Documentation often details the steps required for VMC renewal, emphasizing the need to re-verify trademark information.

Key considerations

• Certificate format: VMCs are typically provided in PEM format, which can be opened and inspected with appropriate software or online decoders to reveal expiry details.
• BIMI record update: Upon renewal, the BIMI DNS TXT record must be updated with the new VMC URL. Failure to do so will result in the brand logo not displaying.
• Trademark validity: The validity of the VMC is often tied to the ongoing validity and good standing of the trademark it represents. Ensure your trademark is current. Read more about trademark requirements for BIMI VMC.
• CA notifications: CAs generally send automated expiry notifications, but relying solely on these might not be sufficient; proactive checking is recommended.
• Technical guide: SSL2BUY provides a technical guide for VMCs that covers monitoring status.