# Why is my domain pending verification?

> On Pay as you go, domains registered in the last 30 days need a manual review before they can send, even when every DNS record is correct.

This article explains the **Pending verification** status that some new domains get on the Pay as you go plan, and how to get the domain approved.

## Symptoms

- The domain shows **Pending verification** in **Email API → Domains**, with a banner: "This domain is waiting for a manual review."
- SPF, DKIM and the return path may all show **OK**, yet you can't send from the domain.
- The API returns `verification_status: "pending_review"` for the domain.

## Cause

Newly registered domains are often used for spam and phishing, so Emailit checks a domain's age before it can send. On **Pay as you go**, a domain registered less than 30 days ago, according to WHOIS, goes to a manual review by the Emailit team.

- The age check uses the registration date of the root domain. A subdomain such as `mail.acme.com` counts as old if `acme.com` is old.
- **Pro and Business skip the age check.** Domains on those plans are verified as soon as the DNS records pass.
- **Approval is permanent.** Once Emailit approves a domain, later DNS problems only stop sending until you fix them. They don't restart the review.

## Fix

1. **Finish the DNS setup.** Make sure SPF, DKIM and the return path all show **OK**. A domain with broken DNS can't send even after approval. See [Why are my DNS records not verifying?](/docs/kb/dns-records-not-verifying/).

2. **Request production access at the same time.** A new workspace also needs production access before it can send to anyone outside the workspace. In **Workspace → Settings**, open **Requests** and submit **Request Workspace Verification**. See [Production access](/docs/workspaces/production-access/).

3. **Wait for the review, or ask about it.** The domain switches to **Verified** once Emailit approves it. If you need it sooner, [contact support](/contact/) with the domain name and what you plan to send.

4. **Or upgrade.** Moving to Pro or Business removes the age check. Select **Check DNS** after upgrading. The domain is verified as soon as the records pass. See [Plans](/docs/billing/plans/).

5. **Or use an older domain.** If you own a domain that's more than 30 days old, you can verify it, or a subdomain of it, right away.

Learn how verification works in [Domain verification](/docs/domains/verification/) and see plan limits in [Domain limits](/docs/domains/limits/).

## Still stuck?

[Contact support](/contact/) or ask in [Discord](https://discord.emailit.com) with the domain name and your workspace name.

---
Source: https://emailit.com/docs/kb/domain-pending-review-new-domain/