Domain WHOIS Update and Verification

As the domain's registrant, you're required to provide accurate and reliable contact information and promptly update it as necessary during the domain's registered term. And as the domain's registrar, we're required to verify the accuracy of the contact information you've provided. As ICANN requires, this information is then included on your domain's record in the public WHOIS database.

This article explains ICANN verification, which changes require verification, and the steps to update your domain's contact information.

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• About ICANN Verification
• WHOIS Verification
• Change of Registrant Verification
• Steps to Update Contact Information
  • Edit Email
  • Edit Name, Address, Phone, or Fax
• Frequently Asked Questions

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About ICANN Verification

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is the organization responsible for setting the various policies and procedures that govern domain registries for generic top-level domain (gTLD) names. We are bound to them through our Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA), the contract which allows us to be a registrar and sell domains. More information about ICANN can be found at http://www.icann.org.

Each registered domain is required to provide identifying contact information—including the full name, postal address, email address, phone number, etc.—for the registrant (owner), administrator, and billing contacts. This and other details regarding the domain are collectively referred to as "WHOIS data," and it's included on the domain's record in the public WHOIS database. Anyone can query the database for a domain record to determine when it was registered, where its name servers are pointed, who the owner is, and more. Some domain owners choose to block their information from being posted publicly by purchasing Domain Privacy.

As an ICANN-accredited registrar, we must verify the accuracy of the WHOIS record for all gTLDs within 14 days of these events:

• A new domain name is registered with us.
• A domain name is transferred to us from another registrar.
• The registrant's contact information (name, organization, or email address) is changed.
• We have reason to believe the contact information is invalid.

Upon these events, we'll send an email to the domain's registrant asking them to verify that the contact information is valid by clicking a link. If this isn't done within 14 days, the domain will be suspended, pending verification.

WHOIS Verification

The contact information for the domain is included on its record in the public WHOIS database, as required by ICANN. As the domain's registrant, you're required to provide accurate and reliable contact information and promptly update it as necessary during the domain's registered term. And as the domain's registrar, we're required to verify the accuracy of the contact information you've provided. This information is then included on your domain's record in the public WHOIS database, as ICANN requires.

New domains will be registered using the contact information in your Account Profile by default. You can edit this information in your Domain Manager once the registration is complete.

There are three contacts listed for each domain:

• Registrant - The person or company who owns or holds the domain.
• Admin - The person authorized by the registrant to interact with and answer questions from the registrar. They will receive authorization emails from the registrar during a domain transfer.
• Billing - The person is authorized to receive the invoice and renewal fees for the domain registration.

The contact data can be the same for all three or different if multiple people manage your domain. The important thing is to make sure it's accurate. Also, it's best to avoid using an email address that's associated with the domain. Use a public email service, like Gmail, instead.

New domains will be registered using the contact information in your Account Profile by default. You can edit this information in your Domain Manager once the registration is complete.

When you purchase a new domain or transfer one to us, we'll send an email to the registrant asking them to verify that their contact information is valid by clicking a link. If it isn't done within 14 days, the domain will be suspended pending verification, and it can take 24 - 48 hours for your websites to be reactivated once you verify.

Change of Registrant

The Change of Registrant process only applies to general top-level domains (gTLDs). It does not apply to other TLDs, including but not limited to country code top-level domains (ccTLDs), like .uk, .ca., and so on.

In an effort to prevent fraudulent domain transfers and other criminal activity, ICANN considers any material change to the registrant's name, organization, or email address to be a Change of Registrant—or ownership transfer between two parties—even if it's not truly changing ownership. Both the old and new registrant (even if they're the same person) must confirm the change by clicking a link in a verification email before the updated record can be submitted to the registry.

Once you save the new registrant's contact information by following the next section's steps, we'll send an email to the prior registrant with links to approve or cancel the request. When the changes are approved, we'll send a similar email to the new registrant for approval. If the email address does not change, then both emails will be sent to the same address. Both the old and new registrants (even if they're the same person) must confirm the change by clicking a link in their respective verification emails. Then we'll submit the updated record to the registry to complete the process.

Both parties must complete the change of Registrant process within 14 days. If either party clicks the link to cancel or fails to respond in time, the domain's contact information will not be changed, and you'll have to start over again.

Steps to Change the Contact Information

Whether you're updating a gTLD or not, the process to update the contact information is basically the same. However, you will only see the option to opt-out of the 60-day transfer lock IF saving your changes will trigger a Change of Registrant request. If the option isn't there, the Change of Registrant process (steps 7, 9, and 10) will not apply.

To change your domain contact information (WHOIS):

How to Edit Email

1. Log in to your Account Manager.
2. Click the profile icon in the top right and select My Profile.
   
3. Click the EDIT link.
   
4. To update contact details for all your domains, select the checkbox and click AGREE.
   
5. Modify your email address and then click SAVE to confirm.
   
6. To verify your email address, click CONTINUE.
   
7. Enter the verification code provided and click VERIFY.
   
8. We'll send out confirmation emails to both the current and new registrants after you verify your new email address, in compliance with ICANN regulations.
   
9. Once you've reviewed the reminders, check the box to confirm your changes and then click Agree.
10. We’re processing your request to change your email address. Both you and our system need to confirm this change within 7 days. Once both parties agree, your updated information will appear in your Account Manager within 15 minutes.
    

How to Edit Name, Address, Phone, or Fax

1. Log in to your Account Manager.
2. Click the profile icon in the top right and select My Profile.
   
3. Click the EDIT link.
   
4. Check the box to apply the contact information changes to all domains in your account. Then, click AGREE.
   
5. Modify your information and then click SAVE to confirm.
   
   • If you are updating the Name or Organizational name, you will see the pop-up below. Check the box if you agree to save the changes to your contact info, even if it results in a 60-day transfer lock. Click the AGREE button.
     
6. The changes you made to your contact information have been saved.

Frequently Asked Questions