> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.jelou.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Verify an address without touching DNS

> Authorize sending from a single email address by confirming a link, without adding any records to your domain.

## Introduction

For Jelou to send mail on your behalf, you have to prove the address is yours. There are two paths and this is the short one: **verify a single address** by confirming a link that arrives in your mailbox, without adding any DNS record.

It's the right path when you don't have access to the domain's DNS panel, when you want to test the channel before involving the infrastructure team, or when mail volume is low.

<Note>
  This method authorizes **one address**, not the whole domain. If you later need to reply from another address on the same domain, that one needs verifying too.
</Note>

## When to use each path

|                        | Verify an address            | [Authorize the domain](/en/guides/activacion-canales/email-dns) |
| ---------------------- | ---------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **What it authorizes** | A single address             | Every address on the domain                                     |
| **Requires DNS**       | No                           | Yes: DKIM and Return-Path                                       |
| **Time**               | Minutes                      | Hours, depending on DNS propagation                             |
| **Who does it**        | Anyone with mailbox access   | The DNS team                                                    |
| **Deliverability**     | Lower: mail may land in spam | Higher: mail is signed with your domain                         |

<Warning>
  Verifying an address enables **sending**, it does not improve **deliverability**. Without your domain's DKIM records, mail goes out signed with Postmark's domain and some recipients may classify it as spam. For production volume, authorizing the domain is the recommended path.
</Warning>

## Prerequisites

* The Email channel already created. See [Email](/en/guides/activacion-canales/email)
* Access to the mailbox of the address you're verifying, to open the confirmation link

## Verify the address

<Steps>
  <Step title="Leave the own-domain box unchecked">
    When creating the channel, don't check the option to use your own domain. Jelou takes that path as single-address verification.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for the confirmation message">
    Once creation finishes, Postmark sends a message to the address you entered. The subject mentions the sender confirmation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the confirmation link">
    Open the message from that address's mailbox and click the link. This is the step that proves the address is yours.

    <Warning>
      The link arrives **at that address**, not in the Jelou panel. If the mailbox already forwards all its mail to Jelou, the confirmation link gets forwarded too: set up forwarding **after** confirming, not before.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the status on the channel">
    Go back to the channel in Jelou and use the verify button. The status turns to confirmed and the channel can now send from that address.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Possible states

| State         | What it means                                        | What to do                                   |
| ------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| **Pending**   | The message was sent and the link hasn't been opened | Check the mailbox, including the spam folder |
| **Confirmed** | The address is authorized to send                    | Nothing: the channel can reply               |
| **Manual**    | Automatic provisioning didn't complete               | Contact Jelou support with the channel name  |

<Note>
  While the status is **Pending**, the channel receives mail and opens tickets normally. What it can't do yet is reply from that address.
</Note>

## Limitations

* **It authorizes one address, not the domain.** Each additional address needs its own verification.
* **It doesn't improve deliverability.** Mail goes out signed with Postmark's domain, not yours.
* **It doesn't work with free-mail addresses.** See the [deliverability](/en/guides/activacion-canales/email#deliverability-and-free-mail-domains) section of the channel guide.

## Next step

With the address confirmed, set up forwarding from your mailbox so mail reaches the channel: [Email forwarding](/en/guides/activacion-canales/email-reenvio).

<Tip>
  If your DNS team can add the records later, switch to the own-domain path. It improves deliverability and removes the need for a per-address verification.
</Tip>