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

# Quickstart

> Validate your first email address.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Get an API key">
    Sign up at [validate.al](https://validate.al). Your API key is shown after signup and in the [portal](https://portal.validate.al) under **Settings → API Key**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Send a request">
    Send a `POST` with the address in a JSON body and your key in the `X-API-Key` header:

    <CodeGroup>
      ```bash curl theme={null}
      curl -X POST https://email.validate.al/validate_email \
        -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
        -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
        -d '{"email": "someone@example.com"}'
      ```

      ```python Python theme={null}
      import requests

      r = requests.post(
          "https://email.validate.al/validate_email",
          headers={"X-API-Key": "YOUR_API_KEY"},
          json={"email": "someone@example.com"},
          timeout=30,
      )
      print(r.json())
      ```

      ```javascript JavaScript theme={null}
      const r = await fetch("https://email.validate.al/validate_email", {
        method: "POST",
        headers: {
          "X-API-Key": "YOUR_API_KEY",
          "Content-Type": "application/json",
        },
        body: JSON.stringify({ email: "someone@example.com" }),
      });
      console.log(await r.json());
      ```
    </CodeGroup>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Read the result">
    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "cached": false,
      "email": "someone@example.com",
      "status": true
    }
    ```

    `status` is `true` when the mail server accepts the address and `false` when it refuses it. A text value means no verdict could be reached: see [Results](/email-validation/results).
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Set a client timeout of at least 15 seconds. A check waits for the recipient's mail server, which can take up to about 10 seconds.
</Tip>


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