diff --git a/ADR/ADR050-use-ses-to-send-confirmation-emails.md b/ADR/ADR050-use-ses-to-send-confirmation-emails.md new file mode 100644 index 000000000..b5ce877ec --- /dev/null +++ b/ADR/ADR050-use-ses-to-send-confirmation-emails.md @@ -0,0 +1,42 @@ +# ADR050: Use Amazon SES to send confirmation emails + +Date: 2026-05-13 + +## Status + +Accepted + +## Context + +We currently use GOV.UK Notify to send confirmation emails to form fillers when they submit a form. We already use +Amazon SES to send submission emails to processing teams. We previously used Notify for sending submission emails, but +switched to using SES as we needed to be able to attach files to emails - see [ADR019: Use Amazon +SES](ADR019-use-amazon-ses.md). An additional benefit was SES gave us more control over the formatting of emails, which +allowed us to improve how we display the answers. + +We are adding a feature to allow form fillers to receive a copy of their answers in the confirmation email. We want to +use the same formatting for the answers in both submission and confirmation emails rather than having to maintain two +different formats for SES and Notify. + +## Decision + +We will use Amazon SES to send confirmation emails to form fillers when they submit a form, instead of GOV.UK Notify. + +Initially, this will just be when they opt to receive a copy of their answers, but we should also make this change for +confirmation emails that don't include the answers in the future for consistency. + +We will continue to use GOV.UK Notify for sending emails to admin users. + +## Consequences + +Pros: +- We only need to maintain one format for the answers in the emails, rather than needing to support separate formatting + for use in Notify. +- We will be able to attach uploaded files to confirmation emails if we want to in the future. +- We are only reliant on one email provider for the form filler journey, which should be easier to maintain. + +Cons: +- We will no longer be able to use the Notify interface to check whether emails were successfully sent. However, we have +not used this often for support. +- We will need to handle bounces and complaints for confirmation emails in SES. We shouldn't need to take any action on + these, but we will need to ensure our reputation as a sender isn't negatively impacted. \ No newline at end of file