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Add the DKIM, return-path and DMARC records usend shows in Namecheap.

This page shows where the records go in Namecheap and its quirks. Menu labels change over time; if yours differ, look for the DNS records list of the domain.

Before you start

  1. Add the domain in usend (Domains, or POST /domains). usend shows the exact records for it, and the values are unique to your domain, so copy them from there.
  2. Find where the domain's DNS is hosted. DNS is edited at whoever runs the domain's nameservers, which is not always the registrar you bought it from. If it is not Namecheap, follow that provider's guide instead.

The records

usend shows this set of records. Names are relative to your domain, acme.com in the example.

RecordNameTypeValue
DKIMrs1._domainkeyTXTv=DKIM1; k=rsa; p=MIIB... (long, unique to your domain)
Return path and SPFsend and/or send-sesCNAMEthe host usend shows, for example rp-ses-us-east-1.usend.et
DMARC (recommended)_dmarcTXTv=DMARC1; p=none;
Receiving (only if you enabled it)@MXthe host usend shows, priority 10

The domain's page lists one return-path CNAME for each sending transport enabled on usend, so you may see send, send-ses or both. Add every one that is shown. The MX and SPF records for the return path live behind that CNAME, so you do not add a separate MX or SPF record for sending, and your own SPF record at the root does not need to change. See Custom return path to choose another label, and DMARC before you tighten the policy.

Warning

Only add the receiving MX record if you turned on receiving. An MX at the root sends all mail for that name to usend. Use a dedicated subdomain if the domain already receives mail elsewhere.

Add them in Namecheap

Sign in to Namecheap, open Domain List, click Manage next to the domain and open the Advanced DNS tab. This only applies if the domain uses Namecheap BasicDNS or PremiumDNS (check the Nameservers setting on the Domain tab). If it uses custom nameservers, edit the records at that DNS host instead.

Under Host Records choose Add New Record, select the type, fill Host and Value, keep TTL on Automatic, then confirm with the green check mark.

The Host column is relative to your domain: enter rs1._domainkey, not the full name. Use @ for the domain itself.

Add the DKIM TXT record, each return-path CNAME and the DMARC TXT record.

Namecheap-specific notes

  • Namecheap's Mail Settings dropdown (Email Forwarding, Custom MX) is separate; you do not need to change it for sending.
  • Record changes usually appear within minutes but can take up to 30 minutes.
  • If your domain already has a DMARC record, keep it: you only need one, and usend accepts any record that starts with v=DMARC1.

Verify

Back in usend, press Verify on the domain (or POST /domains/{id}/verify). usend checks with public DNS resolvers, so it sees what other mail servers see. Records usually show up within minutes; some providers take longer. Each record gets its own status, and usend keeps re-checking for 24 hours.

If a record stays pending or failed, see Domain not verifying. Background: Verify a domain.