Government Mark Certificate (GMC)
Your official seal in every inbox, so citizens know it’s really you
A Government Mark Certificate (GMC) lets government agencies, departments, and public institutions show their official seal or logo directly in the email sender field, authenticated by enabling legislation, not a trademark.
Buy Government Mark Certificates (GMC)
1. Select duration
GMCs are available to government entities only. This includes government departments, ministries, state and federal agencies, local authorities, state schools, public universities, and other public institutions whose mark is established by law.
The certificate that puts your official seal in the inbox
A Government Mark Certificate (GMC) is a type of Verified Mark Certificate issued exclusively to government entities. It verifies that your agency holds the legal right to use an official seal or logo: not through trademark registration, but through enabling legislation: the law, statute, regulation, or treaty that grants your organization its mark.
GMCs are recognized under the BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) standard and carry the same authentication strength as a VMC: including the blue verified checkmark in Gmail. They are available to government entities in over 30 countries worldwide.
Key Benefits
What you need before applying
1
Enabling legislation
The law, statute, regulation, or treaty that grants your agency the right to use its official seal or logo.
2
Proof of identity
Documentation confirming your agency’s official status (government register entry, official gazette listing, or equivalent).
3
DMARC enforcement
Your sending domain must have DMARC configured at
p=quarantine or p=reject4
SVG logo (Tiny P/S)
Your official seal must conform to SVG Tiny P/S format. The submitted logo must exactly match the mark in your enabling legislation.
5
BIMI DNS record
A BIMI TXT record added to your domain’s DNS after issuance. SSL.com provides step-by-step guidance.
GMCs are available to government entities only. This includes government departments, ministries, state and federal agencies, local authorities, state schools, public universities, and other public institutions whose mark is established by law.
From purchase to official seal in inbox: 5 steps
1
Purchase
Select your GMC duration and complete your order.
2
Submit enabling legislation
Upload your enabling legislation and SVG logo via the SSL.com portal. The logo must exactly match the mark described in the legislation.
3
Validation
SSL.com verifies your agency’s identity, confirms the enabling legislation is valid, and validates the submitted logo: typically 3–5 business days.
4
Certificate issued
Receive your GMC and BIMI record configuration instructions.
5
Go live
Add the BIMI DNS record to your domain: your official government seal starts appearing in supported inboxes, including the blue verified checkmark in Gmail.
Compliance & Standards
BIMI Standard
Built on the Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) specification maintained by the AuthIndicators Working Group: the standard adopted by Gmail, Yahoo, Apple Mail, La Poste, and Fastmail.
BIMI Group: VMC Guidelines: Government Mark
SSL.com issues GMCs under the BIMI Group VMC Guidelines (Government Mark provisions), which permit enabling legislation as the basis for mark rights
WebTrust for CAs Audit
SSL.com is audited annually by BDO under the WebTrust for Certificate Authorities program: continuous independent assurance required for Mark Certificate issuance to government entities.
Global government mark coverage
SSL.com supports government marks from agencies in 30+ countries, where the mark is authorized by national, state, or local legislation
Frequently asked questions
A government mark is a logo, seal, or emblem that is granted and protected by law, regulation, or treaty, rather than through a commercial trademark registration.
Enabling legislation is the law or official government record that grants your agency the right to use its official mark. This can include Acts of Parliament or Congress, executive orders, agency establishment statutes, official gazettes, treaties, or similar legally binding documents.
GMCs carry the same BIMI authentication level as VMCs. Gmail (including the blue verified checkmark) and Apple Mail require a Mark Certificate for logo display. Fastmail also supports BIMI logo display with a GMC. Yahoo Mail supports BIMI logo display but does not currently require a Mark Certificate for logos to appear in Yahoo applications; however, if a BIMI record includes a VMC, Yahoo will use it to inform overall BIMI eligibility.
Yes, the SVG logo submitted for the GMC must exactly match the official mark described or depicted in your enabling legislation. Contact SSL.com if you are unsure about your specific situation.
A GMC is technically a type of VMC, it carries the same authentication strength and email client support. The key difference is the basis for the mark: a VMC requires a registered trademark, while a GMC requires enabling legislation. GMCs are available exclusively to government entities.
No, GMCs are domain-specific. Each sending domain requires its own certificate.
Related products
VMC (Verified Mark Certificate)
VMC (Verified Mark Certificate) for private organizations with a registered trademark. Different validation path; broader mailbox provider support than GMC.
CMC (Common Mark Certificate)
CMC (Common Mark Certificate) for organizations without a registered trademark but with 12+ months of documented logo use: a path for private-sector brands not yet trademarked.
OV S/MIME
Complement GMC with Organization Validated S/MIME for organization-signed email from official government addresses: logo authentication plus verified sender identity.
