What is Registrant data verification?

In 2014, new regulations were introduced by Internet Corporation of Assigned Names & Numbers (ICANN) requiring domain registrars to validate the Registrant contact information on domain names. For the applicable domain name extensions this applies to all new domain name registrations and where the Registrant contact information changes on existing domain names.

This process serves to validate that the Registrant can be reached via their specified email address, placing accountability behind the domain name registration.

For more information regarding the ICANN RAA2013 Policy changes and Registrant data verification, please see http://www.icann.org/en/resources/registrars/registrant-rights/educational

Which domain names require this data verification?

This process applies to any ICANN moderated Top Level Domain (TLD). This covers all gTLDS (.COM, .NET, .ORG, etc) and any new TLD’s ( such as .LUXURY, .BUILD, .CHEAP, etc).

What actions will trigger validation?

Any registration, inbound transfer, Registrant contact update, WDRP or expiry reminder bounce back will trigger the validation process for the Registrant contact data.

Does Registrant contact data verification expire?

It will remain valid for at least 12 months, but at any time after that period ICANN can enforce re-verification. Additionally verification will be revoked in the event Whois Data Reminder Policy (WDRP) or domain expiry notifications bounce back to Synergy Wholesale, and it will need to be completed again.

So what happens during the verification process?

For information regarding the process of verification, please see our article What is the process for Registrant verification?.