ICANN Required Domain Contact Verification Print

In the world of domain name management, accuracy and security are paramount. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the global organization responsible for coordinating the Domain Name System (DNS), mandates a process known as Whois Accuracy Program or, more commonly, domain contact verification. This requirement ensures that the contact information associated with a domain name—such as registrant name, email, phone number, and address—is accurate, up-to-date, and verifiable. Failure to comply can lead to domain suspension or even cancellation.

This article explains what ICANN's contact verification entails, what actions trigger it, the two-week grace period, and why it matters for domain owners.

What Is ICANN Domain Contact Verification?

ICANN requires all accredited domain registrars, or authorized resellers thereof (like Wag Websites), to verify the registrant's contact information under the Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA) and the Whois Accuracy Program. The goal is to:

• Prevent fraud and abuse (e.g., phishing, spam, or cybersquatting).
• Ensure domain owners can be reached for legal, technical, or administrative purposes.
• Maintain the integrity of the public Whois database, which lists domain ownership details. Even if you have domain privacy/ID protection enabled, you'll still need to do the contact verification.

When verification is triggered, the registrar sends an email to the registrant email address listed in the domain's Whois record. The email contains a verification link that must be clicked within 14 days to confirm the information is correct.

If the email bounces (is undeliverable) or the link isn't clicked in time:

• The domain may be placed on "clientHold" status (making the website inaccessible).
• In severe cases, the domain could be suspended or deleted.

What Triggers the Verification Process?

Not every change to a domain requires verification. ICANN specifies certain high-risk actions that necessitate re-verification to protect against unauthorized changes. The most common triggers include:

1. New Domain Registrations

• When you first register a domain, ICANN requires initial verification of the registrant's email address.
• You must confirm the contact details within 14 days of registration.

2. Changes to Registrant Contact Information

• Updating any of the following fields in the registrant (owner) contact:
  • First name or last name
  • Organization name
  • Email address
  • Postal address
  • Phone number
• Note: Changes to administrative, technical, or billing contacts usually do not trigger verification - only registrant-level changes do.

3. Domain Transfers Between Registrars

• When transferring a domain from one registrar to another (for example, moving your domain to Wag Websites), ICANN treats this as a potential ownership change.
• Both the gaining and losing registrars may send verification emails.
• The new registrar must verify the registrant's email within 14 days post-transfer.

4. Trade (Ownership) Transfers Between Registrants

• If you're selling or gifting a domain to another person or entity, this changes the registrant.
• This is considered a registrant name change and triggers verification.

Pro Tip

Minor edits like fixing a typo in a phone number might still trigger verification if the registrar flags it as a change. Always double-check before saving.

The 14-Day Grace Period: What You Need to Know

ICANN provides a 14-day grace period starting from the moment the triggering event occurs (e.g., the exact timestamp of a contact update or transfer completion).

During This Period:

• You’ll receive a verification email from your registrar (check spam/junk folders!).
• Click the link to confirm.
• No immediate penalty—your domain remains active.

After 14 Days Without Verification:

1. Day 15+: Registrar may apply clientHold, suspending DNS resolution (website and email go down).
2. Further inaction: Risk of domain cancellation (you lose it permanently).

You can usually re-verify at any time to restore the domain, but downtime can last hours to days.

How to Avoid Issues

1. Use a Valid, Monitored Email: Always use an email you check regularly. At Wag Websites, we recommend using an email address not associated with your domain, as your domain contact. After all, if there is a problem with your domain, you won't be able to receive emails through it.
2. Update Contacts Proactively: Before major changes, confirm your email works.
3. Monitor Domain Status: Log in to your Wag Websites account, select the Domains page, select the domain in question, and select the Contact Information link on the left side.

Why Does ICANN Enforce This?

The internet thrives on trust. Inaccurate Whois data has been exploited for:

• Trademark infringement
• Malware distribution
• Identity theft
• Phishing campaigns

By mandating verification, ICANN reduces abuse while ensuring legitimate owners retain control of their domain names.

In Conclusion

To ensure you don't lose access to your domain name, respond promptly to verification emails, and keep your contact info current. If you need help with your Wag Websites domain name services, please contact us.