Account Verification: Proof of Domain Name Ownership

At Bluehost, ensuring your account's contact information is current is crucial for maintaining security, particularly during business transitions or when the need arises to give someone else the authority to manage your account.

Please click the following topics below to learn more:

• How to Change the Primary Contact on Your Account
• How to Change Your Primary Email Address
• How to Change Domain Ownership
• Summary

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How to Change the Primary Contact on Your Account

Role of the Primary Contact

The Primary Contact serves as the legal representative of the Account Holder and has full authority to manage the account. If a company owns the account and you need to change the Primary Contact, request that the current Primary Contact log in and make the necessary changes. A Primary Contact Replacement request should only be submitted if the current Primary Contact is unable to do so or is no longer associated with your business.

Required Documents

To update the primary contact on an account, gather all three required documents:

• Valid Government-Issued Photo ID (full color): A valid, unexpired, government-issued photo ID of the individual requesting to become the Primary Contact.
• Two Organization Documents: Any two of the following recent organizational documents (not personal):
  • Utility Bill (dated within 90 days of submission)
  • Business License
  • Letter of Incorporation
  • Tax Return or Tax ID Document

User ID Information

If you already have a User ID, there is no need to create a new one. If you have multiple User IDs in your account, you can merge them. For more information, please check our How to Merge User IDs and Accounts article.
 

Submitting a Primary Contact Replacement (PCR) Request

1. Visit the "What are you trying to do?" page.

   

2. Click the Replace Primary Contact option, then click CONTINUE.

   

3. Enter the domain name in the Domain Name field, then click CONTINUE.

   

4. You can either follow the steps below:
   1. If you have an existing User ID, enter it in the User ID field under Have an existing User ID? and click Continue.

      

   2. If you don't have an existing User ID, follow these steps:
      1. In the Create New User ID section, create a new User ID and password.
      2. After confirming your password, click the CREATE ACCOUNT button. You will see a page stating your request was submitted.

         

      3. You will see a page stating your request was submitted.
      4. Please click the SAVE button once your profile has been filled in and created. You can proceed to Step 5.

         

         You can tick the box on the notice section below the required fields if you want to refrain from receiving communications about our products, services, or special offers.

   3. Upload the required documents and click SUBMIT.

      

      1. Please tick the boxes next to the I am not a robot (Captcha) and the “I agree to these conditions” section before clicking the SUBMIT button.
      2. The address on the supporting document and the address on your photo ID must match.
5. A page will notify you that your request has been submitted. Please allow time for us to review and process your request, and we will contact you via email.

How to Change Your Primary Email Address

You can manage your hosting account, including updating your primary email address, through the Account Manager.

When You Cannot Change Your Email Address

If you are unable to change your email address due to any of the following scenarios, you must submit a request to update the email address associated with your User ID:

• Your email address is no longer valid.
• You cannot access the account using your login information.
• You cannot access your email address on file.

Required Documents for Updating Your Email Address

To update the email address on your account, you will need the following documents:

• Valid Government-Issued Photo ID (full color): This should be a valid, unexpired, full-color, government-issued photo ID of the individual requesting the update.
• Utility Bill dated within ninety (90) days of submission: This can be for telephone, water, electricity, gas, etc.
   

Alternative Documents

If you do not have a valid utility bill, you can submit any one of the following documents:

• Leases
• Credit card statements dated within ninety (90) days of submission
• Bank statements dated within ninety (90) days of submission
• Vehicle insurance (policy documents or a bill, as long as an address is listed in addition to the name)
• Vehicle registration card
• Student/Worker visas
• Voided check

Submitting a Contact Email Replacement (CER) Request

1. Visit the "What are you trying to do?" page.

   

2. Click the Replace Contact Email option, then click CONTINUE.

   

3. Enter the User ID and Domain name in the required fields, then click CONTINUE.

   

4. Fill in your first name, last name, phone number, and new email address.

   

5. Upload the required documents you have gathered, then click SUBMIT.

   

   • Please tick the boxes next to the I am not a robot (Captcha) and the “I agree to these conditions” section before clicking the SUBMIT button.
   • The address on the supporting document and the address on your photo ID must match.
6. A page will notify you that your request has been submitted. Please allow time for us to review and process your request, and we will contact you via email.
    

How to Change Domain Ownership

The Change of Registrant (CoR), also known as the Registrant Name Change Agreement (RNCA), is the process of transferring the ownership rights of a domain name from one Bluehost account to another. This process is specific to domain transfers and does not include other hosting products like hosting plans, email services, etc.

CoR Locks

To enhance domain security and prevent hijacking or other potential risks, ICANN applies CoR Locks. If you are the Registrant or Primary Account Holder, any updates to your contact information involving changes to the Registrant's name, email address, or organization name will trigger a 60-day CoR Lock on all associated domain names.

For detailed information on CoR Lock and ICANN policies, please refer to the How to Troubleshoot Common Domain Transfer Issues article.

Updating WHOIS Information

To update the WHOIS information for your domain registered or purchased from Bluehost, you can do so within the Account Manager.

For detailed information on updating your WHOIS Information, please refer to the Domain WHOIS Update and Verification article.

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Summary

In order to show ownership of a domain name or account, you will need to provide the relevant documents as listed above. Once you have submitted your request, it will be reviewed within a maximum of 3 business days. We will then notify you of the outcome of the review.