Email verification

[monkeytooth]

Im tempting to gauge opinions on whats the best way to handle email verification. I know I definitely require more then just making sure the format is correct ie: [email protected], but what is the best way to handle that. Cause I am running one site that is based on peoples email address's kind of like a mailing list but not. And recently I have been getting people who are putting bunk email address's into the system. The domain would verify through a DNS check but the username@..... would fail. Is there a way to check that via PHP java other.. or am I stuck.. and should do a verification end to it where they add themselves and confirm through sent email via link in email. (Im thinking the link in a verification email) but just curious to find out if there's other means I can tempt to work with.