Key Takeaways
- External Domain Verification is required when sending DMARC reports to an address outside your own domain.
- The external domain must publish a special DNS record granting permission to receive your reports.
- This step prevents report hijacking, where attackers could flood inboxes with fake DMARC reports.
- Fixing the “Permission Not Given” error involves creating a TXT record on the external domain’s DNS.
- Using wildcard verification is risky and not recommended due to spam and security concerns.
- PowerDMARC automates the entire process, eliminating manual DNS work and giving you instant access to parsed reports.
External domains in your DMARC are not giving permission for your reports to be sent to them? This common issue occurs when you try to send reports to an external domain without proper DNS verification. This guide will explain why it happens and walk you through how to fix it either manually or automatically with PowerDMARC.
What is DMARC External Destination Verification?
DMARC External Destination Verification is a security mechanism within the DMARC protocol that prevents unauthorized redirection of your DMARC reports.
Core Principle: If your domain (e.g., yourcompany.com) wants to send DMARC reports to an email address under another domain (e.g., reports.com), the external domain must explicitly grant permission in its DNS.
Think of it like subscribing to a mailing list: you can only send messages to the list once the list owner confirms they are willing to receive them.
Why You See the “Permission Not Given” Error
The “External domains in your DMARC are not giving permission for your reports to be sent to them” error occurs when your DMARC record points to an external reporting address, but the receiving domain hasn’t set up the required authorization record.
Example:
- Your DMARC record → rua=mailto:dmarc@reports.com
- Reports.com → Has no DNS entry confirming it will accept reports from yourcompany.com
Result: Reports are blocked until the external domain publishes the verification record.
How to Fix It: A Step-by-Step Guide
To fix the “External Domains Not Giving Permission for DMARC Reports” error, you can follow the steps below:
Step 1: Identify the Domains Involved
- Your Domain: The domain you are protecting (e.g., yourcompany.com)
- External Domain: The domain you want to receive reports (e.g., reports.com)
Step 2: Construct the Verification DNS Record
Note: This record is published on the external domain’s DNS, not your own.
| DNS Field | Example Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Record Type | TXT | Always a TXT record |
| Host / Name | yourcompany.com._report._dmarc.reports.com | Replace yourcompany.com with your domain and reports.com with the receiver’s domain |
| Value / Content | v=DMARC1; | Always this fixed value |
| TTL | 3600 (or default) | Standard TTL for DNS records |
Step 3: Publish the Record and Verify
- The external domain must add this TXT record to its DNS zone.
- Once published, use a DMARC checker tool to confirm the record resolves correctly.
- Reports should start arriving within 72 hours, depending on the mail server reporting cycles.
The Easy Way: Let PowerDMARC Handle It Automatically
Managing DNS records across multiple domains can quickly become tedious and error-prone. PowerDMARC eliminates that complexity.
When you use PowerDMARC, you simply update your DMARC record to point to our reporting address (e.g., rua=mailto:yourcompany.com@dmarc.powerdmarc.com).
We handle the entire external verification process behind the scenes, so you don’t need to touch DNS records again.
Benefits of letting PowerDMARC handle it:
- No manual DNS setup: Automatically set up DMARC and enable reporting while authorizing external sources.
- Instant configuration: Reports start flowing within 72 hours of setup.
- Centralized dashboard: View, analyze, and act on all reports.
The Risks of Wildcard Records (And Why We Don’t Recommend Them)
Some providers try to simplify external verification by publishing a wildcard record:
*._report._dmarc.external.com TXT v=DMARC1;
While this means the external domain accepts reports from any domain, it introduces serious risks:
- Spam floods from malicious actors
- Loss of control over which domains can send reports
- Security dilution by undermining DMARC’s strict verification design
At PowerDMARC, we avoid wildcard records and instead rely on explicit, secure verification to protect both senders and receivers.
Final Thoughts
The “permission not given” error isn’t a bug; it’s a built-in security feature that safeguards DMARC reports from abuse. You can fix it by publishing the required DNS verification record on the external domain. But for organizations managing multiple domains, the process can become complex.
PowerDMARC makes it effortless by handling external verification automatically, letting you focus on insights instead of DNS records.
Stop struggling with manual setup. Sign up for a free DMARC trial today and simplify your reporting process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send reports to multiple external domains?
Yes, but each external domain must publish its own verification record authorizing your domain.
How long after adding the record will I start receiving reports?
Usually, within 72 hours, depending on DNS propagation and the reporting schedules of mail servers.
Does PowerDMARC support forensic (ruf) reports as well?
Yes. PowerDMARC fully supports both aggregate (rua) and forensic (ruf) report collection and processing.
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