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API v3 Creating contact invalid email address

Currently developing a system using the V3 api.
I have a test client connected via OAuth.
When I post to the 'contacts' end point in order to create a contact I get the following errors returned (php).

ย 

array:3 [โ–ผ
  0 => array:2 [โ–ผ
    "error_key" => "contacts.api.validation.error"
    "error_message" => "create_source is missing, create_source does not have a valid value"
  ]
  1 => array:2 [โ–ผ
    "error_key" => "contacts.api.validation.error"
    "error_message" => "email_address is invalid"
  ]
  2 => array:2 [โ–ผ
    "error_key" => "contacts.api.validation.error"
    "error_message" => "email_address[address] is missing, email_address[address] is invalid"
  ]


It does not matter what email I pass they are all invalid. If I do not pass the email I get an email is missing error. If I pass the email I get it is invalid. The value is being passed as
{"email_address":"[email protected]"}

Why is this happening? How am I supposed to create a contact?

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๐Ÿ—“๏ธ January 29, 2026 | 2:00 pm ET