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Add your Ark Email DNS records to Amazon Route 53 to start sending emails from your domain.
Already added your domain in Ark? Skip to Step 2 to configure your DNS records.

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Step 1: Add Your Domain in Ark

First, add your domain in the Ark dashboard or via the API. This generates the DNS records you’ll need to add.
  1. Go to Domains in your Ark dashboard
  2. Click Add Domain
  3. Enter your domain name (e.g., mail.yourdomain.com)
  4. Copy the DNS records shown

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Step 2: Add DNS Records

1

Open Route 53 hosted zone

  1. Go to the Route 53 Console
  2. Click Hosted zones in the sidebar
  3. Click on your domain’s hosted zone
2

Add the SPF record

Click Create record and enter:
FieldValue
Record nameUse the name from the Ark dashboard (leave empty for root domain, or mail for subdomain)
Record typeTXT
Value"v=spf1 a mx include:spf.arkhq.io ~all"
TTL300 (or default)
Click Create records.
Route 53 auto-appends your domain. For mail.yourdomain.com, enter mail not the full hostname.
Already have an SPF record? Edit your existing record instead. Add include:spf.arkhq.io before the ~all. You can only have one SPF record per domain.Example: "v=spf1 include:spf.arkhq.io include:_spf.google.com ~all"
3

Add the DKIM record

Click Create record and enter:
FieldValue
Record nameUse the name from Ark (e.g., ark-xyz._domainkey or ark-xyz._domainkey.mail for subdomains)
Record typeTXT
ValueThe DKIM value from Ark (starts with k=rsa;t=s;p=...)
TTL300 (or default)
Click Create records.
Route 53 auto-appends your domain. Copy the name field exactly as shown in the Ark dashboard.
For TXT records in Route 53, the value must be enclosed in double quotes. If the console doesn’t add them automatically, wrap the value like: "k=rsa;t=s;p=..."
4

Add the Return Path CNAME

Click Create record and enter:
FieldValue
Record nameUse the name from Ark (e.g., psrp or psrp.mail for subdomains)
Record typeCNAME
Valuerp.arkhq.io
TTL300 (or default)
Click Create records.

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Step 3: Verify Your Domain

Return to the Ark dashboard and click Verify DNS records on your domain. Verification typically completes within a few minutes.
Success! Once verified, you can send emails from any address at your domain.

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Troubleshooting

  • Check TXT record quotes: Route 53 TXT values should be enclosed in double quotes
  • Check record names: Route 53 auto-appends your domain. Use ark-verify, not the full hostname
  • Wait for propagation: DNS changes can take a few minutes. Try again shortly.
  • You can only have one SPF record per domain
  • If you have multiple email services, combine them: "v=spf1 include:spf.arkhq.io include:amazonses.com ~all"
  • SPF has a 10 DNS lookup limit. Use SPF checker tools to verify
  • Ensure the record status shows “INSYNC” in Route 53
  • Use dnschecker.org to verify records are propagating globally
  • Route 53 changes typically propagate within 60 seconds

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Next Steps

Send Your First Email

Test your new domain

General Domain Setup

Learn more about DNS configuration