The invention is directed to implementing a trust rating subscription model for email addresses and/or domains in a trust-oriented email network that is supported by a deployment of a trusted email database (TED) system. The TED maintains the trust rating for individual email addresses relative to the recipients. Also, the subscription model enables the email end users and inbox service providers to register with the TED to obtain the trust rating of a specific email sender relative to the recipient. This trust rating may then be used by the email end user or an inbox service provider to filter spam, if the sender is untrusted, or deliver the message to an inbox, if the sender is trusted. A sender (individual email address, domain, and the like) can also subscribe and obtain limited rights to email subscribers of the TED system.